FF v/s Dacron performance testing

[A.S.]

I had a customer ask about actual performance differences between FF and Dacron strings.  He was wondering if a Dacron string with no silencers would be close in performance to a FF string with silencers.  There's only one way to answer that....test them!

First up: 18 strand Rampage string with a single set of whiskers.  3 shot average 178 fps
Next:  14 strand B50 with the same size whiskers.  3 shot average  164 fps
Finally: 14 strands B50 with no silencers.  3 shot average 168 fps

All were set at my 27" draw length with clicker installed, same brace height.


I had mentioned on a similar thread several months ago that I would expect 10 fps difference. Some quys questioned that.  Here is the proof.   

[mec lineman]

Allen, my results led me to the same conclusion. i also get a softer shot with FF.

[kennym]

14 fps is nothing to sneeze at.  How about sound at the shot? 

[McDave]

That’s a bigger difference than I thought.  I had in mind there would be about 5 fps difference between FF and Dacron.  I’m not familiar with Rampage.  Do you think it is typical of FF strings?

[A.S.]

Allen, my results led me to the same conclusion. i also get a softer shot with FF.

Same here Craig/ I much prefer the shot feel of a FF string.

[A.S.]

14 fps is nothing to sneeze at.  How about sound at the shot? 

Kenny, the B50 string with whiskers was crazy quiet....but from the first shot, I could tell it was much slower.....ever before shooting through the chrono.  B50 without whiskers was still plenty quiet, but the string vibration seemed to go on for 5 seconds after the shot.

[A.S.]

That’s a bigger difference than I thought.  I had in mind there would be about 5 fps difference between FF and Dacron.  I’m not familiar with Rampage.  Do you think it is typical of FF strings?

Dave, Rampage is Brownell's new, updated version of Fury. It is very thin, so 18 strands of Rampage is comparable in dia. to approx. 8 strands of D97 (or similar).  It makes for a very high performance, yet stable string.  I'm am highly impressed with it!

[kennym]

So what is your recommendation for say a 50# bow?  18 strands work?

[A.S.]

So what is your recommendation for say a 50# bow?  18 strands work?

Yep, I don't like to go below 18 strands of Rampage. I build most of mine with 22 strands. Zero performance difference at all between the two.

[R.V.T.B.]

Thanks for the data Allen.

[Orion]

Yep.  And depending on the bow, that 10-12 fps difference equates to about 3-5# of draw weight.  I shot dacron for a long time and didn't want to believe the benefits of low stretch strings, but i finally tried them a few years ago, and there's no going back.  In addition to the substantial increase in performance, they also make the bow much more pleasant to shoot.  Mine tend to make a somewhat higher pitched sound than dacron, but i can quiet them to my satisfaction, maybe not as much as dacron, but enough. 

[kennym]

Thanks Allen!

[TomMcDonald]

Good test - thanks.

[monterey]

What was the draw weight of the test bow?  Maybe you mentioned it but I don't see it.

[Steve D]

 Thanks for the test I prefer the FF type strings also.

[A.S.]

What was the draw weight of the test bow?  Maybe you mentioned it but I don't see it.

I was shooting my Trad Tech Lobo  42@27 with 380 grain arrows

[cacciatore]

Thanks Allen for your time!

[Bob Morrison]

Allen, How does the Rampage compare to any of the BCY products? Been shooting the X-99, I like it but I always like trying new stuff.

Bob

[Bob Morrison]

   

[LBR]

Rampage is Brownell's version of BCY's Mercury.  SK90 Dyneema was discontinued by DSM, so materials that used SK90 will go away once existing  supplies are exhausted...that includes Fury, 8190, and BCY-X.  SK90 was replaced with SK99...a little smaller, a little more dense, a bit more durable.  Mercury and Rampage are 100% HMPE/UHMWPE, X-99 is 80% SK99 and 20% Vectran.  X-99 is very comparable to BCY-X.  Big difference with the Vectran is better stability in higher temps, and materials with Vectran seem to be  quieter (to me--I haven't done any tests).  100% Dyneema materials seem to have a slight edge with speed and durability.  Good 'ol 8125 is still the benchmark for 100% Dyneema materials.  Still the choice of Olympians and many top target archers.