14, 15, 16 strand string

[jackdaw]

hey guys, been wanting to order some slightly heavier B-50 strings for a couple of bows, (47# and 50# 60" recurves), and wondered who has experience with some of the 15 and 16 strand strings verses 12 and 14. I'm not overly concerned with speed or a slight loss of it. Do the heavier strings present any other problems, like nocking??? I'm going to get some from steve smith...the Bearbowman, in west virginia...as usual..all comments are welcome...many thanks......john

[Benny Nganabbarru]

No problems at all. I shoot sixteen strands of B50 on my '69 Bear K-Hunter.

[JRY309]

No problem at all using a heavier B50 string,but your nock fit will probably be tighter.I feel too tight of a nock fit will affect your accuracy.Why do you want a heavier string,I use 14 strand B50 on bows up to 60#.And I use an .018 serving for 14 strand B50 which gives me a pretty good nock fit.I don't see any advantage or disadvantage other then nock fit depending on which nocks and serving size.

[Ground Hunter]

I use 14 strands for below 60 and 16 for above.  H

[Rob DiStefano]

for 47-50#, 12 strands of b50 or b55 is just fine - but only you will be the judge if stretch/creep becomes an issue and necessitate adding more strands to compensate.

but honestly, if you bow can handle modern hmpe string fibers, do yerself a big favor and ditch the dacron.

[jackdaw]

thanks guys.....Rob, I'm going to try one of the hmpe strings for sure. I read another thread a month ago on here about 15 strand string usage and the guy was extowing the virtues of it...how quiet it was and very minimal strng stretch. Good attributes to have, I believe. tight ,(reasonable), nock fit also.we'll see....thanx

[stagetek]

Just my preference, but I shoot 14 strands under 55#'s. And, 16 over 55#'s. If I shot bows under 45#'s, I'd shoot 12 strands.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally posted by jackdaw:
thanks guys.....Rob, I'm going to try one of the hmpe strings for sure. I read another thread a month ago on here about 15 strand string usage and the guy was extowing the virtues of it...how quiet it was and very minimal strng stretch. Good attributes to have, I believe. tight ,(reasonable), nock fit also.we'll see....thanx

my main 55# hunting longbow uses an 8 strand hmpe (dyneema'02 - same as dynaflight'97) endless string with .019" halo spectra center serving.

at 50# holding weight an 8 strand hmpe string (over 800# tensile) will be stronger than even a 16 strand dacron string (not even 800# tensile strength), with little stretch and creep, but also lots lighter and quieter, too.    

no matter how skinny or fat the final string, the center serving diameter can always be fairly easily adjusted to fit yer arrow's nocks correctly - and that would always be loosely.

[Jeremy]

My old bows are are around 60# @30" and I shoot 12 strand B50 strings on them.

Creep is a little more than with a 16 strand, but the 16 strand strings I've tried all had considerably more 'thump' at the release and were louder.

[SCATTERSHOT]

12 strand is fine for anything up to 50#. I shoot mostly 50# or so, and use 14 strand strings because I like the diameter of the finished string. If you go to more strands, you can specify thinner serving material to avoid nocking issues.

[jackdaw]

Ok, OK, ...you win Rob! We'll try the 8 strand dyneema route on my 51# holcomb....nothin' ventured, nothin' gained!....john

[BWD]

You might want to have the string maker pad the loops on an 8 strand.