I have been using B500 Dacron and although a lot of people won't shoot anything else, I like something with a little less stretch. I am looking at the B55 from BCY. It is cheaper than B500 but is supposed to stretch less. Anyone have any experience with it. Thanks, Don
I sent out a bunch of test strings not too long ago. The concensus was it's a slight improvement over B-500. Less creep, a tad better performance. Not in the same class as the HMPE materials, but an improvement nonetheless. I'm switching over to it for my dacron material--I think BCY plans to phase out B-500 in favor of it.
Chad
I had the same experience as Chad, a little better performance, less creep for sure and it was a quiet string as well.
DD
Had Oliverstacy make me couple, very little creep for dacron and very quiet.
Travis
yup i made one and boy they are right it dont strech much and it seems to be a little quicker than the B50. i like it. :thumbsup:
I have one of Chad's test strings. While I don,t see a vast improvement over B50, it does seem to have less stretch and has added a increase in speed of about 1 1/2- 2 fps on my bow. While not a great improvement ,an improvment none the less.
From what I can tell the big issue is how many spools of B500 or B50 do you have laying around? You can mix B50 and B500 but you can't mix B55 with them. So if you make flemish strings you have to buy all new colors of B55. I think B55 is better, and it sounds like most concur, but having stuff in stock makes change out a problem.
I don't know where the price difference comes from. BCY charges the exact same on the price list I have.
How is it compared to the B75 or Tradional that came out awhile back, I think Brownell offered it as a lower creep replacement for B50 but they discontinued it?
Lancaster has B500 for 9.99 for a 1/4 lb. and the B55 is 6.99. This may be a sale but it doesn't show as one on their site. Thanks for all the info. I think I'll get some B55. Don
I wouldn't mix B-55 with B-50 or B-500. My BCY price list also has them listed at the same price.
B-75 and PENN 66 were both taken off the market several years ago, because they broke with no warning. I remember that debacle all too well--I got called pretty much everything but smart and honest for raising questions about them when another stingmaker (no longer in the string business) was touting them as the best thing since sliced bread.
If I recall correctly, PENN 66/B-75 had a little less stretch/creep than B-55, but I think B-55 is going to be a lot more reliable.