Crossbow strings

[4wanderingeyes]

I have owned my Ravin crossbow now about 3 years. It was only shot maybe 25 times in that time frame. Is it time for new strings? If not do you think they stretched much and would need the scope re sighted in? I was hoping to get out this evening, but didn’t really have time to practice today.

 

[goatman]

I'm not willing to to be holding one when it explodes. I change string and cables regularly. But I don't own a Ravin.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

This is one of the things I wonder about all the time. "Change the string every two years." Does that count however long it sat in a box before you bought it? How do you know how long that was?

I took my old bow out of the case after a 15 year rest to find it had broken while it was sitting in the case.
I have my first compound bow down in my wet moldy basement, with the original string from 1981, it looks fine. lol

Of course back then the cables were cables, and the string was short and you could change it without a press just by loosening the limbs. I had a backup string all set up ready to go that I never needed.

 

[Bill]

Not sure on other crossbows but the ravins have a string indicator on the cam. It’s used to tune a new string by twisting the string. Lots of videos on line to help with that.

But if your string has stretched it will not be between the two indicator marks.

 

[bueller]

My current cables/strings were installed in 2015. Don't know if it makes a difference but this is on a traditional compound that is only rated for 330 fps. Still shoots straight and hit hard up to my max range of 40 yards or so.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

The bow is a Ravin 10x, I called the local sports shop, they said they recommend what Ravin says of every 2 years. They said they even replace them if they have sat in their shop for 2 years and haven’t sold. They told me for the little bit of money every 2 years is it worth injury or even worse, missing the buck of a life time. I dropped it off this morning they will have it done tomorrow for me. I didn’t ask the price.

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

The bow is a Ravin 10x, I called the local sports shop, they said they recommend what Ravin says of every 2 years. They said they even replace them if they have sat in their shop for 2 years and haven’t sold. They told me for the little bit of money every 2 years is it worth injury or even worse, missing the buck of a life time. I dropped it off this morning they will have it done tomorrow for me. I didn’t ask the price.

Let us know how much $$$ when you get it back. I'd like to know if I got taken when I put cables and strings on my Tenpoint.

 

[Bill]

My current cables/strings were installed in 2015. Don't know if it makes a difference but this is on a traditional compound that is only rated for 330 fps. Still shoots straight and hit hard up to my max range of 40 yards or so.

I don't think regular bows need strings as often. Xbows Are under some serious pressure

 

[omicron1792]

I just had my Ravin done at two year interval. Was about 150bucks out the door.

Ravin is kind of like a performance car. You have to do the maintenance to keep them running well.

 

[bueller]

I don't think regular bows need strings as often. Xbows Are under some serious pressure

Sorry for the confusion. It is a crossbow, just the compound style not the reverse draw style that is so popular today. Hopefully she doesn't decide to just let go one day.

 

[jsasker007]

I just had my Ravin done at two year interval. Was about 150bucks out the door.

Ravin is kind of like a performance car. You have to do the maintenance to keep them running well.

I was wondering if the strings will actually fail in the 2 year time frame or if the strings stretch and you lose some speed? If it's just stretch and you're shooting slower a lot of times a couple of twists in the strings will bring a bow back into spec. I'm just thinking out loud with that theory. I just started to learn about crossbows so I might be way off base with my thinking.

 

[omicron1792]

There are many posts all around the Internets of Ravins exploding with older strings. They are under immense pressure when bow is just sitting.

 

[jsasker007]

There are many posts all around the Internets of Ravins exploding with older strings. They are under immense pressure when bow is just sitting.

Sounds like it wouldn't be it to push the time frame on it then. Was watching a guy shooting on you tube saying he needs to replace his strings because he shoots quite a bit and it's been 3 years. Is there any way to tell by looking at the strings or is it time once the string is outside of the timing marks?

 

[jsasker007]

I'm guessing that new strings maybe take a minimal amount of shots to get the new strings settled in?

 

[omicron1792]

Mine came back almost exactly with same poi as before. I shot about 10 shots and fine tuned scope a little and it’s ready to roll.

Honestly lost speed and those indicators Bill showed are it. I’ll never shoot 2-300 shots in a couple of years. So my plan is to just have it restrung every couple of years.

Lots of people like Bill buy their own Ravin press. If you do this you can take it down after every season and probably get 4-5 years of time. You can also restring it yourself if you have a press.

That said, you cock your bow and leave it cocked the whole time each hunt so this take a toll on a crossbow string as opposed to a bow. If I hunt all day I will take it down midday and rest then recock it for the afternoon.

 

[jsasker007]

Another question about crossbow hunting is can you hunt in bad weather without issues? Is rain or extreme cold a no-no? I won't sit out in a downpour or anything but is there anything to worry about getting wet?

 

[omicron1792]

No problem there I’ve seen

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Another question about crossbow hunting is can you hunt in bad weather without issues? Is rain or extreme cold a no-no? I won't sit out in a downpour or anything but is there anything to worry about getting wet?

I don't think it would be a problem as long as it gets a little TLC after the hunt.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

I baby my equipment, guns, bows, xbows, if it is raining or snowing I sit in an enclosed stand. Then I will dry them off and lightly oil them down as well.

I didn’t get a chance to pick up the crossbow today but I will get there tomorrow. I need to get it sited in and ready.

 

[fingers]

I had a Ravin R26 string blow up on year 3. It had been shot quite a bit.