String question.

[wood carver 2]

I need to make spare strings for the bows I'm taking moose hunting this year and I was wondering what would be the minimum number of strands of B50 that could be used? The bows are 57# and 60# draw weight. B50 is what I have on hand and there's no time left to order anything else, make the strings, and get them shot in.
Thanks.
Dave.

[LittleBen]

From what I found searching 16 strand is what's recommended.

[Todd Cook]

I make 14 strand , about the same draw weight.

[Canadian Idle]

Hey Dave, where you goin' moosen and do you have to use B50 on your bows.....Lloyd

[wood carver 2]

Thanks guys. I want a thinner string, so 14 should do.
Lloyd, we're going to camp in the bush a couple of hours drive west of Thunder Bay. It's a 22 hour drive, but well worth it once we're there.
B50 is what I use on all my bows except this year's swap bow that Kenny made for me. It has a fast flite string.
Dave.

[Canadian Idle]

Dave, I guess that would put you in WMU 12B? Somewhere around Attikokin (SP)? I've heard good things about that area. I'll be in WMU 21B around Hornepayne area, not too far of a drive as I live in the "SOO". I guess you'll be driving thru here on your way up there eh! Best of luck on your hunt.....Lloyd  

[LESKEN2011]

When are you leaving, David? I have a red and white candy stripe string (dacron) that I almost sent with the bow as a spare. I also have an extra black fast flight sting, if you think they can reach you in time.

[Pat B]

I make all the strings for my bows with 14 strands of B-50 except bows 40# or less. I use 12 strands for those. I've made bows up to 65# and never had a string break in over 25 years of building wood bows and twisting strings.
If you are making strings for the bows you are taking on a hunt I'd suggest duplicating the strings that are on these bows.

[wood carver 2]

Thank you guys.
Kenny, We leave on the 18th of September. I wanted to ask you whether the bow shot more quietly when you tried a B50 string on it. I'm shooting 650 grain total weight arrows out of it and it really thumps on release. No hand shock, just sound, but it sure is fast, even with the heavy arrows. I was wondering if the softer string would quiet it down some.
Pat, I'll use your recommendation as a rule of thumb. I don't remember how many strands are in the string I have on the bamboo bow, so I'll just make up two new ones. There's still time to get them shot in.
Good luck to you too Lloyd! We take highway 11 so we'll be passing by north of you. We do hunt 12B. The new restrictions this year mean that you need 7 members to guarantee a bull tag, so all we got is one. We'll be 13 including 4 American friends.
Are you hunting the first week of the season as well? This time of year is so much fun! Getting things together and the anticipation.    
Dave.

[LESKEN2011]

It is a tad quieter with the dacron as compared to the fast flight without silencers. I never compared them both with silencers. If you like and are used to dacron, you could probably go with it with no noticeable difference in speed, but some difference in noise.

[wood carver 2]

Thanks Kenny. I'll give it a try.
Dave.