Used trad bow advice wanted

[tshark]

Ok, so if the bow says it's 54" long, I order a string listed a 54" but it will actually be 50". The strings are listed as 54/12, 54/14, etc. I'm assuming the second number is the number of strands. Which is better, 12, 14, or 16?

[BT]

For a bow like that I would go 14 because you wont need more and the nocks will fit better

[tshark]

Ok, I ordered some stuff off of keystone. I got a 54/14 string, a glove and a tab (just to see which one I like better) a stringer and some judo points for stump shooting. Can't wait for the bow to get here. I still have to get some arrows. I have about $58 left out of my christmas "allowance" and would really like a dozen arrows but will probably just have to settle for a half doz.

BTW, has anybody tried the pse arrows? Keystone has a dozen of PSE's radial X weave stl hunter shafts for $59.95. I've got some 4" vanes that I could fletch them with myself. Is that a good deal, or should I just stick with the CX 200's?

[BT]

I had the PSE shafts and they would work well for you.
I like the goldtip XT shafts as they are cheap and work well.
Remember to order your arrows spined for 5# more than the bow weight.
35/55 is the ticket for carbon with your 45# bow

[smj]

At somewhere around 45 pounds draw weight, you want to order a shorter string (4" less than the length) because it will stretch out some as you shoot it in. B-50 will get longer as you shoot it! Add a few twists as needed to keep the brace height you want. For bows with a draw weight less than 40 pounds, you would probably want to be closer to 3 to 3.5" less than the bow length as there will not be as much stretch on the string over time. Also, depending on materials used you might want to be a closer to the 3.5" less length as without stretching, you'd have a lot of twists in the string to get to the brace height you want. I don't like a tight twist in my string.

So far as arrows, I have found the PSE's to be more stiff than the GoldTips. I would favor the GoldTips if I were to order without trying first. Arm yourself with 100, 125, and 145 grain tips and head to the range to see what will fly best for you. Start with the arrow an 1/8 inch nock high, and what ever the recommended brace height. If you don't know this, start with around 6.5 inches, and work from there. You are looking for best noise, hand shock/vibration, flight stability. Try adding some twists to increase the brace, or letting a few out to lower it. If you go to low, the string will start to eat your wrist... You will know what I mean if you go there! I'd start with the brace height, and then fine tune the nock point.

I think BT is right, get 14 strands on the string. If you end up wanting to go to a fewer strand count on the string - less mass on the string - you will have to play with your serving wrap to get the right nock fit. This is not hard to do, I think it has been shown here on a thread somewhere!

[tshark]

I got the bow in saturday and it is beautiful!! Only one problem though. The auction said that it was 54 amo, but on the bow it actually says 56 amo. They didn't have a picture on the auction that showed the numbers written on the riser. So I ordered another string from Keystone for a 56 amo.

Now I have a short string that I can't use. The actual string length is 49.5 inches. If anybody wants it let me know and you can have it.

[BT]

54 is very popular.
I will buy it from you

[tshark]

how about i just send it to you plus a few dollars in exchange for a copy of judgement call?

[BT]

Thats fine.....I have to get a copy made up but that sounds good

[SPIKER]

BT, the recurve I have says 60"..but no mention of AMO...so..Do I buy a 56"AMO, or a 60" AMO?..