I'm stumped. I have a Bear Patriot, 64" and 45@28". I draw about 29, so I'm shooting close to 47#. The bow is fantastic in every way except one. It's loud. It came with a D97 string, replaced it with a Flemish twist fast flight string. I've moved nock height, gone to a calf hair rest, shot 400 and 500 spine arrows. I've put yarn silencers on it, which helped, and even added a set of cat whiskers with the yarn.
Brace height? I've tried the gamut, even bracing lower and higher than recommend. I've never had a bow I couldn't get quiet. Maybe I'm overlooking something, maybe I'm thinking too much now.
Suggestions? I want to hunt this bow, it shoots like a dream.
You tried different spine arrows, but have you tried different weights? I have found that heavier arrows help to quiet bows.
No, I have used 125 gr. field tips for everything. I will give it a try. Thanks.
Try a Dacron D50 string instead of your fast flight string.
On top of the the advice you've already been given, changing the position of your silencers can make a difference too.
Bob
I had a Patriot that I had the same issue with. I tried a couple of different strings and finally found a D97 by Big Jim that was quieter than the others. I used fur silencers, but they were a little bigger than standard Beaver fur ones. That quieted mine down enough to hunt with. I tried heavier arrows and did not notice much difference. Good luck!
Tuning, release (cleaner release = quieter), arrow weight, nock fit, silencer type and placement--those are the big factors IMO.
Nothing against Bear, but of the bows I've owned (or currently own) the Bears were the loudest. I don't know why really. My most quiet is a 1959 Blackhawk Bee. My second most quiet is a Ben Pearson 58" Special (year unknown). In last place is my 1969 Bear Tigercat. I had a 1968 Bear Cub (semi-curve) that was insane loud. I wish I had a good answer for you.
My Super Ghost sounds loud to me, but I don't if it's just because Im the one directly behind it. After this season Im going to probably up my arrow weight considerably and see what that does.
I have a Predator recurve that was loud. I tried just about everything possible (padding the string with yarn, multiple string silencers, etc.) to reduce the noise. I even thought about going to a B50 sting. Then I met Allen Shafer (of Ten Ring Strings) at a 3D shoot in Virginia. We talked about the problem and I ended up ordering a bowstring made from FURY. I also had him tie on some cat whiskers. Long story short, that FURY bowsting solved the problem. Before you pull out all your hair, get him to make you a string. You will not believe the difference. :thumbsup:
Are you shooting split or 3 under? My Bear AuSable was very loud shooting 3-under, super quiet shooting split.
I shoot three under. I do shoot split finger on my 68" longbow.
QuoteOriginally posted by LBR:
Tuning, release (cleaner release = quieter), arrow weight, nock fit, silencer type and placement--those are the big factors IMO.
^This
Also, makes sure your string doesn't have excessive twists. Forget Dacron B50, it may lower the tone but will just increase vibration.
Could your arrows be hitting the strike plate or shelf making noise?
Surewoods arrows were noticeably quieter than lighter carbons with one of my bows.
Yeah I would try shooting heavier point weights too. My guess is that your arrows are overspined. Even with a 500 spine arrow Id try starting with at least a 175 grain point. I shoot 30.25" .500's with 200grains up front out of a 46lb bow but I only draw 27"s. My guess is that you are still overspined and could try heavier points for sure. Everyone has made good suggestions as well.
Try for atleast a 500 gr or so arrow , that should help and silencers are a band aid to bow noise but I do use them.
The right spot for brace, arrow weight and silencers are out there you just have to find them .
What is your arrow set-up.
Give a 14 strand B-50 string a try. You may have to put two sets of beaver silencers on it also.
B50 string, wood arrows, and try shooting split fingers. I shoot these on my 64 Grizzly and 68 Kmag with string silencers and it really quites them down. Good luck.
Thanks, all. Going to up my point weight and see what happens.
If anything, an 18-20 strand BCY-X string has been the quietest for me, but the string material is normally not one of the determining factors.