My recurve is a bit noisy and I want to try a dacron string to see if it will help. For a 50 lb. recurve would I be ok with 12 strands of B50

I shoot 12 strands some but I believe 14 is recommended. I could look it up. >>>----> Ken

I shoot 12 off a 38# bow but I believe you're going to want 14 strands like 2 bears states for a 50# bow.

I actually use 10. That makes a string with a 500lb. break strength.

I use 12 40-55, 14 55-70 , and 16 up to 85.

Right on and we didn't even have to look it up.>>>---->Ken

14 strands of B50

Where do you look it up? I couldn't find anything on the brownell site

In the AMO handbook. It's listed there.

Is that a three lay or two?

OK I give up. Where do I find the AMO handbook. Google is stymied.

AMO is a suggestion only. Ten strands of B-50 is plenty for a 50# bow...that's 500 pound strength as fdp alluded to. People overbuild strings all the time and heavier strings don't equate to quieter bows.

http://www.outlab.it/doc/amostd.pdf

Ha! There are advantages to being 67. Over the years I've amassed quite a few books and I started checking thru them. The 1977 Archers Digest is a collection of articles from Bow and Arrow magazine. One is titled "The String is the Thing". So I checked it out and there was my answer. 45 - 55lb -- minimum 12 strands of waxed B50. I'll use the minimum otherwise my nocks will be too tight.

Thanks for all the help people.

I always calculate number of strands in string by multiplying bow weight by 10, and dividing the answer by the breaking strength per strand of string material. On my 68-70# bows I use 15 strands of B-50, without any problems.

I would build it with 14

Pick this up on I think this site a while back. Hope this helps.

B-50 Dacron

20-30# = 8 strands

25-35# = 10

35-45# = 12

45-55# = 14

55-80# = 16

Manufacturers suggestions will always be on the fail-safe side to cover their arses for warranties. Actually, it's a good time be analytical, versus having charts and graphs to tell you everything and never learn to think things through. Guys will fuss about eking every ounce of energy out of a bow for performance, then put on a fat string that counteracts that process. If you rely on AMO suggestions for everything archery, you will never realize what your bow can do.

Main reason for more than 10 strands might be nock fit. But you won't get any difference in performance between 10 and 14.

You don't have to use a certain number of strands for nock fit. Serving thread comes in different sizes. No rules against double serving and teflon tape is a good build up under the serving. Make the string to suit the bow and the serving to fit the nocks. good luck.>>>----> Ken

2 bears/Kenneth is right...

I guarantee that 12 strands is sufficient.

Back in the sixties the rule was 4 pounds per strand and I still use the same rule making strings now. So 40lb is 10 strands. I then use 10 strands right through to 48lb where I go to 12 strands. I have never had a dacron string break.

14 strands and .020 serving made a pretty good nock fit. Possibly was .019 though, can't remember now

I have been making and shooting 12 strands of b-50 on 50# trad bows for years. I have had NO problems. Actually get better arrow flight due to better nock fit with carbon arrows.

I was asking about a FF type string on my 1990 Howatt Hunter, and Larry Hatfield told me that 12 strands of B-50 would get me as much performance as anything else... and he knows a thing or two.

What I’m not sure about.... is that recommendation based on a Flemish string? Or does it matter any?

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here