Recurve bow advice

[ilikemilitaria]

Recently picked up a vintage Ben Pearson BP-H52 recurve, says 52", and 50xx_28".  I know NOTHING about recurve bows.. A bow (compound bow) hunting buddy of mine says it's worth stringing and shooting.

Now, how do I get the right string for it? Measure? if so, where/how?

thanks!
dave

[lakota]

52" is the length of the bow. 50xx28" means the draw weight it 50 pounds at a 28" draw. I think you want to get a string that is 4" shorter than the 52" bow so a string that is 48". I would get a nice B50 flemish twist string from 3 Rivers Archery. You cant use the modern fast flight strings on those older recurves.
 
here is a link to the string:
http://www.3riversarchery.com/product.asp?i=1515X
 
I would pick up a bow stringer too:
http://www.3riversarchery.com/product.asp?i=5096
 
Its safer and easier on the limbs than doing the "step through" method of stringing the bow.
 
There are a lot of useful videos the 3 Rivers website. They send out a free catalog. I just got back into traditional archery last December. There is just something about shooting a recurve that is a lot more fun than a compound bow IMO.
 
www.tradgang.com is a very active forum dedicated to traditional archery. Lots of knowledgeable folks over there.
Enjoy.

[jackruff]

Refering someone to 3rivers Archery for recurve bow information is excellent advice!  If you need it they have it, and they will give straight answers to your questions.

[streak]

Yes!
 As lakota stated , be sure the string is flemish and not a fast flight string! A fast flight string could really damage the bow!!
 Be sure your arrows are spined for that pull weight of bow, also heavier arrows will tend to lessen the felt recoil of the bow when the arrow is released. Get one of the videos by Rick Welch on learning to shoot the bow. He gives alot of info on these videos.

[lakota]

I forgot 3 Rivers has a Youtube page with all of their videos. It beats scouring their website for the info you are looking for.
 
http://www.youtube.com/user/3RiversArchery?ob=0&feature=results_main

[Empty Quiver]

The 52 on the side of the bow is how you order the string, tell the man you have a bow marked 52" and he will sell you the proper length string. It will not be 52" but it will be the proper length for a bow measured to 52". You will fine tune the length by twisting the string to shorten or lengthen ( don't untwist a flemish too far ). This adjustment is one of three you will need to make.


  A stringer is a very good idea. When you purchase arrows make sure they are spined with a recurve bow in mind. Buy them a few inches long and you will be able to shorten to increase spine if needed. Adjusting tip weight is another approach to adjusting spine weight, keep that in mind when buying arrows, heavier will lower the spine weight.  Correct spine is very important when tuning a stick bow, do it wrong and you will be fighting an uphill battle. This is adjustment number two.


When you purchase the string get a few nock points, a bow square, nock point pliers, and some string wax. Adjust the nock point up and down to achieve proper arrow flight. Likely the square will have some instructions, I would start about 3/8 over center myself. This is adjustment three.




Once these three are set the rest of it is you.

[jackruff]

A comment or two on setting the nocking point on the string:  Use a small piece of dental floss to mark where you nock your arrow, moving it up and down until you find the best spot.  Then, just wrap floss to make a nocking point above or below or both, your choice, where you decide to nock the arrow.  I prefer above.  Use string wax to firm up the dental floss nocking point.  I've always preferred this to the metal nocking points.  Again, it's your choice.

[Savage .250]

 They are as close to "old" school as you can get.   A re-curve will test certain muscles.
    That being said, practice,practice and practice.    .

[b44mag]

i belive the 50xx means 52 pounds at 28 good luck your hooked now enjoy the ride 
if you draw under or past 28 subtract or add 2 to 3 pounds per inch either way make sure your arrows weigh around 500 grains 9 or 10 grains per pound to keep from harming your limbs  delamanation is bad juju