Crossbow strings

[birdog]

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.

Join Crossbow Nation if you haven't already. Lots of good info there regarding your 10x.

You should absolutely zero your crossbow at the beginning of every hunting season.

I have the 10x and just changed my string and cables to a custom set. You have to be able to recognize string wear and serving separation. Keep both lubed and clean your cams and string posts with a small brush.

A loose nock, i.e. a nock that will slide left and right on your string will cause left right changes in POI. You need a nock that fits relatively tight on the string. If it's loose then time to reserve or time for a new string. Another thing to watch for is serving separation where the nock snaps on. Make sure your cams are timed properly and you have no cam lean. Lots of youtube videos to show you what to look for.

I chose a custom string set from a great string maker and installed them myself. I have heard that Ravin strings are not that bad if you can't decide on a custom set. I use Firenocks with the "U" nock along with custom Black eagle Executioner arrows.

In my opinion sub 400fps crossbows are much more user friendly and will kill just the same.

 

[jsasker007]

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

Was there any damage to the limbs or cams after that episode? Sounds like a pants filler.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

Sounds like a pants filler.

When I was in High Skoool I used to shoot my bow in my back yard. One day I had a knock come off. (the old glued on externally type) As close to a dry fire as you could get. String/cables all came off. Worse, the arrow came off the bow at a 25 degree angle to the left. Put a nice crease in the aluminum side of the above ground swimming. A couple of inches/degrees from a catastrophe.
And that was when I stopped shooting in my yard.

 

[jsasker007]

One reason why I wasn't interested in the crossbows that have the reverse draw was that if for some reason the bow has a failure I want ALL of parts flying AWAY from me. I feel like I've used up all my luck and really don't want to take any chances that I don't have to. My buddy was shooting his bow at a target in his yard in a metro area. He missed the target for whatever reason and watched his arrow skip between 2 cars driving by on the road by his house. That's when he stopped shooting in his yard.

 

[Feelslikefar.]

My nephew does it and I repeatedly try to talk him out of it. I cringe at many of the Youtube videos I see thinking "If these people only knew.."

When I bought my first compound bow, it didn't have and I didn't buy sights. I thought to myself "I've been shooting a bow my whole life and never needed any sight!" The fact that I was like 14 and that "whole life" tally wasn't that impressive years wise didn't matter.
I went out in the back yard, about 10 yards from my 30x30" target. Drew back and let fly. About a foot wide of the target, it made a nice hole in the fence behind it, hit a piece of plate steel my father had on the other side. The arrow went up in the air about 25 feet (with a new 45 degree bend in it), angling skyward left, coming down in the next property about 35 yards from where I launched it.

'Hmm... maybe I DO need sights?"

 

[fingers]

Was there any damage to the limbs or cams after that episode? Sounds like a pants filler.

It actually wasn't that big of an explosion but did lose one of the limb pivot spacers. I was concerned about micro cracks and sent it back to Ravin for inspection and new string. Worst part is this happened the afternoon before I needed it

 

[4wanderingeyes]

Well I was a little surprised when I picked it up today. $211.

 

[birdog]

What string set did you go with?

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Well I was a little surprised when I picked it up today. $211.

Close to what I paid. I don't feel so bad now.

 

[4wanderingeyes]

What string set did you go with?

I don’t know. I dropped it off and said to replace the strings. I will see if it says it on the receipt.

 

[jsasker007]

Are there a couple of string makers that have a good reputation for being better? Last time I was into bows and strings it was Winners' choice that was the top dog for custom strings. Then I think vapor trail was just coming onto the scene. I have to get caught up again. Also Barnsdale limbs had a big following for custom limbs.

 

[birdog]

Winners Choice were good strings but far from the "top dog", and that's going back 25 years when I was using them. I stopped using WC when I found a better string builder who used better material.

There were several others that were just as good or better then WC that were actually custom strings. The original Proline Strings back in the day were the best I had ever used. Catfish, Bucknasty, GAS, ABB, 60X and Archery Shack just to name a few build good quality bowstrings.

Perry Valley Strings was my go to for crossbow strings up until about two weeks ago. He has announced that he is taking no more orders and may not be in the string making business anymore after he gets caught up on his 2025 orders.

 

[jsasker007]

Winners Choice were good strings but far from the "top dog", and that's going back 25 years when I was using them. I stopped using WC when I found a better string builder who used better material.

There were several others that were just as good or better then WC that were actually custom strings. The original Proline Strings back in the day were the best I had ever used. Catfish, Bucknasty, GAS, ABB, 60X and Archery Shack just to name a few build good quality bowstrings.

Perry Valley Strings was my go to for crossbow strings up until about two weeks ago. He has announced that he is taking no more orders and may not be in the string making business anymore after he gets caught up on his 2025 orders.

Perry valley get longer life out of a set? Any idea what their secret sauce is? More strands? different material?

 

[birdog]

Material is part of it but Perry Valley is a true "custom" string builder. PV does not mass produce strings like WC does. He builds them all himself, one at a time.

More or less strands has nothing to do with the life of a string. The number of strands is dictated by the required string diameter of a particular bow. Cleaning and lubricating your string and cables properly will greatly extend the life of a string.

There is a lot that goes into building a good high quality string. Basically a stable string that is relatively free of stretch is one that is pre-stretched to at least 300lbs while being served (some believe 200lbs is enough). Not everyone can or will do this. Good tight servings are the finishing touch.

 

[omicron1792]

Using any strings besides Ravin strings voids the warranty. The Ravin strings are great and cheap, don’t use custom strings on a Ravin.

 

[birdog]

Ravin strings are better than they used to be that's for sure. I had no concerns at all with a custom set once my Ravin strings were done. But omicron is right, use custom strings at your own risk.