Dacron strings on FF approved bows ?

[Art B]

I had the same results with the Dacron material David. But using only selfbows where I have to unstring the bow after using, I have to press down on the tips and stretch out the string each time I string up my bows. Takes something like two seconds.

But I've since gone to using a 50/50 blend of FF and Dacron so I don't have to do anything after stringing anymore.

[longbowray]

I use 12 Strands for up to 55 and 14 strands for up to 65 and so on . Been shooting b50  

[David Mitchell]

Rob, most of the time I make 12 strand strings--sometimes 14--for all my bows that are 47-55# bows.

[David Mitchell]

Art, I also unstring my bows after each use and do not need to restretch the string when I string them up again.  Dacron works great for me--I must be doing something wrong!  

[Jeff Strubberg]

You aren't doing anything wrong.  You're just using a lot of dacron.  It gets around the stretch problem, but adds weight and robs performance.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by David Mitchell:
Rob, most of the time I make 12 strand strings--sometimes 14--for all my bows that are 47-55# bows.

8 strands of df'97 (or comparable hmpe fiber diameter, there are many choose from and all are good), pad the loops to 12 or 14 strands = uber low stretch/creep, no noise or "shock", all the benefits of dacron without its hassles.  the resulting hi mod polyethylene bowstring will have a technical tensile strength in excess of 800#, whereas a comparable 14 strand b50 dacron (polyester) string *might* approach 700# on paper but technically be less than 650# at best.

worth a try.

[David Mitchell]

I can't really tell it robs performance--not to my eye.  I might get just a tad slower arrow through a chrono but I don't care about that as I get more than enough performance to get the job done.  Trad bows and dacron strings have been getting the job done for decades--before that strings were made of even less durable and functional stuff but still got the job done.  When is enough enough is a question each must answer for himself.  And yes, I do use more modern strings on some of my bows--normally the ones that come with it, but when they need to be replaced I usually make a nice dacron string--a good bit less expensive.    

[jhg]

Originally posted by joe vt:
I have some limited use of skinny strings on a couple of longbows that made them even quieter and to my eye seem to be faster. But what I have experienced with these skinny strings is constant stretching. It takes weeks for the creep to be gone...


 

Joe, contact Josh Sowerby aka Oliverstacy, and ask about the 450+ skinny strings. They blew me away- very quiet, fast, very low creep (none noted after the first two days of being strung) and a nice "soft" feel at the shot. You may be surprised.

I have no bias against B-50. Thought the info about 450+ might be of help to those who have had similar experiences as Joe using other FF materials.

Joshua

[Rob DiStefano]

david, it's not at all about any hmpe performance benefits (speed) if any - it's about consistency from shot to shot, no matter what the atmospheric conditions or how long the bow's been strung or plucked.

[Stumpkiller]

I do.  B-50 is quieter on those I have that will accept Fast Flight.

[Eugene Slagle]

Originally posted by longbowray:
I shoot b-50 on all my bows

I do too.
(1) I still have lots of B50 left from almost 20 years ago.
(2) I'm Skeerd to try the less stretch stuff just in case one of my bows don't like it & say good bye.

[Rick Perry]

I build all my own bows to be FF safe . Thats just in case I sell one or build one for someone else and they put a FF string on it . I shoot dacron on all my bows and from my (not too scientific) experiments with a friends (not real expensive) chronograph 8^). FF only gains you 3-5 FPS on most bows (that includes some well known customs , not just my own bows )

 3-5 fps is NOT going to make a difference in a real world hunting situation. I'll take a quiet shot over 3-5 additional fps every time.

 Once you initially break a dacron string in and get it stretched the "creep " that people talk about is minimal . And golly gosh ,how hard is it to put a couple of twists in it to bring it back up to the correct brace height anyway ?

 

[Eugene Slagle]

Originally posted by Rick Perry:
I build all my own bows to be FF safe . Thats just in case I sell one or build one for someone else and they put a FF string on it . I shoot dacron on all my bows and from my (not too scientific) experiments with a friends (not real expensive) chronograph 8^). FF only gains you 3-5 FPS on most bows (that includes some well known customs , not just my own bows )

 3-5 fps is NOT going to make a difference in a real world hunting situation. I'll take a quiet shot over 3-5 additional fps every time.

 Once you initially break a dacron string in and get it stretched the "creep " that people talk about is minimal . And  golly gosh ,how hard is it to put a couple of twists in it to bring it back up to the correct brace height anyway ?
     

Couldn't agree more.
My Sky Hawk for one I know is FF capable but I've always used B50 & my 2 Zona's too.
I stretch mine by using 100Lb weight on the finished string for a day.

[joe vt]

All my new dacron strings stretch for a day or two at the most. And when I say stretch I mean only maybe 3/8". I have never had an issue of dacron strings stretching crazy.....even if my bow is unstrung for weeks it takes mins for the dacron to get back to its proper length/brace.


I have no problem with using non stretch strings as along as they are quiet to my liking.....if not I enjoy the denefits of dacron    


josh; 450+ uh.....maybe I will give a skinny string of this material a try.

[Bel007]

Recently went to B55.  Have used it and B50 on all my bows.  Just works well and "feels" better to me.

Bows I buy that come with FF get a new handmade B55 string immediately.

My buddy chases the chrono with different materials and strand counts.  Spends hours and hours chasing the best performance.  When I let him play with one of my bows, he can get my bow shooting 5-7 fps faster than I can.  Hey, that's his bag and he enjoys it.

I just twist up a 12 or 14 strand B55 and start shooting.  I have yet to send an arrow through a chrono.

[joe vt]

I have to mention.....as with most bows shooting characteristics; each is subjective to the user.


What I consider noisy, maybe quiet enough to someone else.

[Rick Perry]

yep and when you are the one shooting the bow it is difficult to judge what is quiet . I have had times when I thought my bow was noisy and someone watching me shoot would comment on how quiet it was .

[Art B]

Try shooting from inside or under a metal carport. Even "very quiet" can be heard.....at least it can to me.

[Tall Paul]

Originally posted by Art B:
Try shooting from inside or under a metal carport. Even "very quiet" can be heard.....at least it can to me.

I used to shoot in a large barn, and if it was quiet in there, it was perfect outside.

The guy that has made all my strings since 1998, pre-stretches the B50 as he's building the string.

[Rob DiStefano]

heheheheh - even if we think our bows shoot "quiet", most critters will pick up the higher frequency sounds that we humans can't hear.    :D