How often should you change a bowstring?
04-13-2005, 07:25 AM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 117
How often should you change a bowstring?
I have a Cabalas Outfitter PL-1 bow that I have hunted with for two seasons. I do shoot regularly especially starting in July or august. My string has slight fraying in the peep sight area but when I wax it it looks fine. One guy told me that he changes his every three seasons. I know it might be safer to change it now but I shoot very well with my setup now and really hate to change it all up if I don’t have to. It came with a 401 low stretch string.
So here are my main questions:
1. Would I be safe leaving it on for a 3rd season if the string rally does look not frayed very much?
2. Should I change the cable every time you change strings (I've heard mixed about that from some people)?
3. Does anyone have any bad experiences form strings breaking because the left them on to long and if so how long was it on?
So here are my main questions:
1. Would I be safe leaving it on for a 3rd season if the string rally does look not frayed very much?
2. Should I change the cable every time you change strings (I've heard mixed about that from some people)?
3. Does anyone have any bad experiences form strings breaking because the left them on to long and if so how long was it on?
04-13-2005, 10:43 AM
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,555
RE: How often should you change a bowstring?
I've read every 5000 shots but I only make it apoint to change it once a year (generally in the spring). I'm sure I shoot more then 5000 shots over the course of a year but not to the point where I'll wear a string out.
When I was younger and didn't know any better I went a few years without changing a string.
1) I personally wouldn't and I'll give you a couple of reasons why. Strings aren't that expensive. Obvious safety issues. If it should snap durring the fall and the bow dosen't come apart in pieces you'll pay hell to get it into a shop (busy time of year). If you get it in a shop you'll have a new string on your bow that will need tuning and likely will be stretching for a while after it's replaced. In complete honesty I wouldn't wait to change it. Do it now and you'll be sitting pretty when the season comes.
2) I have hard evidence either way on this question but I do. Again they're not that expensive campared to the price of your bow.
3) Not personally but I use to shoot with a guy when I was younger, a friend of a friend that I've lost touch with. He was shooting a string 2 years old and had it let go while shooting 3-d in mid August. He ended up with a nasty bruise on his arm from where the string whipped him. Luckily the bow didn't "explode" but he had a heck of a time getting a new string on because it was the bust season and them he dealt with the tuning and stretch problems I mentioned previously.
When I was younger and didn't know any better I went a few years without changing a string.
1) I personally wouldn't and I'll give you a couple of reasons why. Strings aren't that expensive. Obvious safety issues. If it should snap durring the fall and the bow dosen't come apart in pieces you'll pay hell to get it into a shop (busy time of year). If you get it in a shop you'll have a new string on your bow that will need tuning and likely will be stretching for a while after it's replaced. In complete honesty I wouldn't wait to change it. Do it now and you'll be sitting pretty when the season comes.
2) I have hard evidence either way on this question but I do. Again they're not that expensive campared to the price of your bow.
3) Not personally but I use to shoot with a guy when I was younger, a friend of a friend that I've lost touch with. He was shooting a string 2 years old and had it let go while shooting 3-d in mid August. He ended up with a nasty bruise on his arm from where the string whipped him. Luckily the bow didn't "explode" but he had a heck of a time getting a new string on because it was the bust season and them he dealt with the tuning and stretch problems I mentioned previously.
04-13-2005, 10:48 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 7,571
RE: How often should you change a bowstring?
masterblaster, if you used it regularly like you said, it is time to change the string and buss cable. I would also agree that it should be changed (if you regularly use it) once a year. I have had experiences with strings breaking and have gotten somewhat hurt, but it wasn't from them being old I beleive.
04-13-2005, 02:26 PM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 77
RE: How often should you change a bowstring?
I shoot on average 3.5 times a week for about three hours all year average including hunting season, for 17 years now . I don't know if that is more or less than anyone. L don't change mine reguarly but I have had strings give me sign of changing so I did change them. Like axle to axle lenght changing. Strings un twisting on me. If I get a couple of good seasons on them they will fray near the serving from hitting my winter clothing. I only shoot Winner Choice strings, they have 100% serving on there Buss cable so they last a long time. My set is $107 for the string and cable.
04-13-2005, 03:58 PM
#6
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: land of the Lilliputians, In the state of insanity
Posts: 26,274
RE: How often should you change a bowstring?
I've read every 5000 shots but I only make it apoint to change it once a year (generally in the spring).
04-15-2005, 06:56 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 3,215
RE: How often should you change a bowstring?
I'm on my 3rd set of strings and cables on my 2004 Liberty, but I shoot the devil outta that bow. I dont wait till they are showing signs of wear, but I will change them right after hunting season no matter how much wear they show.
