Another String Question...

[BowVista]

Ok, so I'm really confused. I took the OLD string off my bow, and bought a new string from a local shop to try. I noticed immediately that the string seemed different, but wasn't really sure why. It shoots really smooth, really quiet, and feels great, but tonight I took it off and discovered that it's a full inch and a quarter longer than the old string. The old one is 51 inches, and the new one is about 52 and 1/4. The package the new string was in, is clearly marked for a 56 AMO bow, which is what my Grizzly is.

What's the deal with this? Was the old string bad, or is the new string bad? The new string package says Norman Archery, and the guy at the shop called it a B50 I think. He swore it was a great string.

[broken arrow]

generally speaking for a recurve the string will be around 3.5" to 4" shorter than the AMO of the particular bow. I'd say the new string is probably the correct string for the bow you have. The old string may just be simply twisted up (shortened) to increase brace height. Or may just simply be to short. With the new string if you have achieved your proper brace height and the bow is shooting nice and quiet, I would not worry about it.

[duck'n]

B50 is what you want with an older Bear, which if I recall is what you have. It is my understanding that Bears run a typical 4" less than AMO on string length so the new string ought to work. You will find that be making small length adjustments (within the recommended brace height range) you will find the "sweet spot" for that bow where it will shoot nice and quiet. You may have found it already with the new string. I recommend writing down that brace height for future reference.

[loco cacahuate]

B50 is the right stuff for your older bow.

[LostHawg]

B50 for older bows that don't have the reinforced nocks and 3 inches under AMO for string length for all traditional bows. Its easier to twist to raise brace height than to stretch to lower.

[Bill]

The longer the string, the lower the brace height (also called the 'fistmele' by some) and the faster the arrow. The reason is while the distance from your bow to your anchor point is fixed (corner of your lip, etc.), with a lower brace height the arrow 'rides' on the string for an extra inch or so, and absorbs more energy from the limbs. I don't know but I'm guessing it should be in the 7-8 inches range, measured from the deepest portion of the grip to the string.

The problem with too low a brace height, it the bow can start to shoot funny, get hand shock, etc. I'd start with the new string, shoot some arrows, unstring the bow, twist the string to shorten it (5 turns?), restring and shoot again. Do it a couple times and keep track of how many twists you did. Pick the string length that you think the bow shoots the best at.

[Ol Man]

Lengths of strings will always be different if you are talking about Flemish strings. Endless loop strings if not twisted should be very consistent. I myself make probably in the neighborhood of 200-300 strings per year and I can honestly say I can not for the life of me make them identical every time. I try but usually it requires twisting to adjust for perfect brace on any given bow. JMHO... if it works not to worry!