RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

That definitely is one tuning error that some shooters make when using a loop and release. However, that is an oversight on the shooter's part, usually brought about by the shooter not yet fully understanding how to properly adjust and tune a bow. Not a permanent disadvantage of the loop.

Rather than dismiss and eliminate the many advantages of the loop, why not advise the affected shooters to adjust their draw length, and/or sell them a mechanical release with a length adjustment?

http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/h...453299,00.html

http://www.edersbow.com/publication/...op/default.cfm

http://www.alseaintegration.com/ptc/string_loop.htm

RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

I went to a string loop on my target bow and bought what looked to be a very nice release to go with it with a very short trigger. This set up didn't change my draw length. I did this to possibly eliminate re-serving my string at the end of the year and to see if there was any difference in accuracy. After about 600 shots, and during the middle of a 3D shoot last Sunday I noticed that the loop was getting chewed up from something on the release. I made it through the shoot but every shot after the discovery, I was sure thinking that at any moment I was going to get punched in the mouth,,,,,, by me!!!![:@] I'll replace the loop and fix the release but I was no problems with my other releases and shooting directly off the string. I'll not hunt with a loop until I get more experience with the loop and as far as accuracy, I'm not sold yet;) Pulling on the string with a loop feels like I'm pulling way above the center of the string and I'm thinking it's like heeling the grip on a bow, causing more verticle torque than pulling under the arrow. IMO what would be ideal would be to pull directly in-line with your grip, but with today's grips and arrow shelfs it's impossible.

RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

Arthur, no problem. If I didn't respect you, I wouldn't have bothered to answer you. Just threw in a few shots cause i knew you wouldn't mind too much.

On the let down thing, this came up like a year or more ago, and I made some of the claims then that I made now. I went and got my bow, and cycled it like I said, and hadn't a single problem witht he arrow even poping out of the primary groove. I'm not saying it never happens, I'm just saying there are a lot of alternatives. And my sassy general attitude to the issue (I have a lot of time for everythign Bob, or you write), is just because I feel the loop thing is overdone. I shot one for a while, and I would shoot one again. Also I'm no Ragsdale. I can't see any points in it for me, but if I was a way better shooter, and fitting over the last single point, maybe the loop would be the deal. But at my level, It is impossible to tell.

If you think of the context say 10 years ago. 36" bows like HCC in competition, prong rests, multiple brass nocks, mono servings, Bjorn nocks, and so on. This thing solved a lot of problems. We did by then have the bette carbon arrows, but a lot of the research photos had still been shot with underspined junk.

Flash forward. Longer ATA bows for targets, lower velocities, potential of drop away rest, vast popularity of T-handle BT releases, better nocks, CNC machined nocks, pole sized arrows in AL and carbon. It's just a hugely different environment. Take drop away rests.

PSE had HS video showing lower arrow acelation with a loop. This is a very big deal with Al arrows, and prong rests. It's less of an issue with low velocity line cutting arrows, out of any of the alternative systems we have talked about, with drop away rests. By the way, some of those linecutters, take the fat lexan nocks and cycle very nicely.

Again everyone may get different results depending on their exact setup. I wouldn't tolerate a loop on a hunting setup, I just don't see the need. I just trying to throw out extra options.

By the way silentassassin, I didn't answer you on Buff, because i had pretty well said what was on my mind, a reality test thing. As it happened I was reading Bob Swinehart's bio last night. He was the first archer to get the big five with a longbow (or any other western archery system). Holy smokes, he got pretty lucky. He took most of his animals in a real sporty way, standing on the ground, alone with the camera rolling, and often the animal aware of him. He got one shot drops, and multiple shot drops. In general though, I feel even more like I wouldn't want even a release in that situation. It makes good reading.

RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

Personally, I like shooting a loop, but not the typical loop put on by a bow shop. I make a Catfish Loop. It is far superior to a normal loop, in my opinion. The Catfish Loop will not stretch, even a little bit. I've got tying mine, down to the point where I can make one that only leaves about 1/32" between the nock and the release. This reduces any set-back on your anchor point. Combine this with a new release designed for loops and you may even be anchoring more forward then with a release connected directly to the string. The Catfish Loop can also be custom made to your preferred diameter. This can allow it work better with some releases. Possibly, one of it's best features, is that it cannot slip. It can only come off by breaking, and before it would break, you would see it start to unravel. It's safer then shooting off the string, yet still protects the string. It can be tied tight enough to control a peep or loose enough to be easily moved. It has virtually every advantage of a normal loop or shooting off the string and almost no disadvantages. This is a truely custome loop and worth every minute it takes to tie one. The only drawback is the 20-30 minutes it takes to tie a good one. You wouldn't be able to afford to pay a bowshop to tie one, even if they knew how.

How to tie a Catfish Loop

RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

I was using the catfish loop in my post above. I agree with Straigharrow, very good design, and if I ever go back to a loop, it'd be the one I'd use.

RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

I played with that too, but it didn't work any better for me except the impossibility of it coming off. Also as a long time fly tyer, I love messing with string. I still prefer my loops to be 3mm climbing kermantle when I use them.

RE: Bob Ragsdales reasons for a String loop.
 

The first couple Catfish Loops I made, were okay but not exactly what I wanted either. It took some experimenting with tying them differently, to find exactly what I liked. Point is, tying your own allows a large amount of leeway in making one for your preference.