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Post by sw on Oct 13, 2012 6:35:06 GMT -5
I have some thoughts on what we can do to minimize the likelihood of our SZs failing. 1) I think many of the failures come from broken strings. The strings are quite small for the energy stored. The cams string grooves do not allow for much if any increase in string size. Also, I think the string has slight give at release that cushions the limbs: strings with less give would stress the limbs more. Currently we need to stay with our existing Bowteck string, IMO. The string release prongs do benefit from smoothing which decreases serving wear, thus increasing string life(or serving life). Lubing the rail frequently(me - every or every other shot) helps minimize serving wear. Wax that string frequently also. Nocks - with the small diameter, highly stressed, extreme angled string, the nocks need no sharp edges and certainly need to fit properly against string(indexed). I expect a large # of failures come from improperly indexed nocks, cutting the string and then the limb(s) break on release. 2) arrow weight - 380gs as a minimum?!!! I'd set 425 min and personally use 483(Red Hot arrow / 170g FOC). This really reduces stress and helps long range(accuracy/groups). 3) Face it, this is a highly stressed x-bow with limbs from multiple manufacturers. This is problematic . The black limbed models shouldn't have the problem of various manufacturers. Still the other factors remain than can cause failure. Summary: lub rail frequently, wax string, smooth prongs, inspect nocks, index nocks, shoot heavier arrows, minimize all other factors that can lead to failure and enjoy your SZ. Compound crossbow users just have to accept that failure is a possibility and having a back-up x-bow is a good idea.
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Post by kevinbrian on Oct 13, 2012 12:06:31 GMT -5
Great post!!! I am SO surprised that i have not found more info in my internet research on the benefits of smoothing those string release prongs!! I did mine AGAIN last nite with the prongs held slightly open so that I could get a radius on the back edge of the upper and lower jaws, since the string will first come in contact with those upon trigger breaking!!! It seemed logical. Before I did it, I researched it and found nothing but what the owner of Wyvern Creations said: "Serving wear on the Strykezone bows due to riding the rail is no more than other x-bows of the same design. The trouble is in the pawl (prongs that hold string) and smoothing it will benefit you." I DID NOT quote verbatim but from memory. I remembered the gist, but not the wording. I then PMed our on SW, the man who started this thread, and asked him if he has smoothed the string holding hooks of his SZ crossbow, to which he replied ....yes, I have smoothed them. I started a thread over on crossbow nation about the subject....the first thread on the subject to my knowledge.....in the Bowtech forum. If you own a Strykezone, please consider the original post in this thread as MANDATORY MAINTENANCE. It will extend the life of your Strykezone's serving, your bow's limbs, your own limbs, etc etc. A crossbow has benefits over other bow-types. Especially the Strykezone....it is more like shooting a rifle. Plus it is very narrow, and very lightweight. And with the right combo, it is consistently accurate. SW shoots at 80 yards with great accuracy with Parker Red Hots and FOC 170 grain Expandables. My accuracy, so far, comes from the Strykezone arrows (Laser Gold Tip II) with Rage three blade expandables (100 grain). It is very accurate to 50 yards with this combo. The weather is warm today, putting me out of the mood to bowhunt. But I may slip my Rhinehart target back to 60 yards and see how I group with my combo. Plus, check serving wear since I have radiused, then honed, the string holding prongs. I expect a much longer serving life. To the original poster, great post, and a great service to Strykezone bow owners!!!!! Peace. kevin
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Post by tar12 on Oct 14, 2012 14:39:17 GMT -5
Upon further research I saw where the black limbs were breaking as well..not at the rate of the previous problematic limbs but still breaking none the less. Have they taken the limits of this cross-bow to far?
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Post by sw on Oct 14, 2012 15:48:32 GMT -5
Upon further research I saw where the black limbs were breaking as well..not at the rate of the previous problematic limbs but still breaking none the less. Have they taken the limits of this cross-bow to far? Tar, great father that you are, yes, the crossbow is near it's limit. This is what I'll do: every other year, I'll replace the string with factory original, if an improved, same diameter string isn't available. Also, I'll continue using heavier arrows though not necessarily the same (313g Red Hot +170gFOC =483g). Wax string every 2-3 shots, lub rail every 1-2 shots, check and polish edges of nocks, always index nocks. Expect to have limbs fail ever so often and use my back-up x-bow while it's being fixed. Note that my 6+year old #175 Parker Saf Mag is getting it's 3rd or 4th replacement limbs but they normally last about 1500 shots. That's ok with me for a compound x-bow. I will really keep an eye on the string, limbs, & cams on this x-bow. I do have limb savers on the crossbow. I think the black limbed models have a lower failure rate. String breakage, nock problems, stress from shooting light arrows, and possible not fully seated arrows may be part of this failure problem. SZ is still my first choice. Back to your question: yes, I don't think it has much reserve: certainly not as much as our 10-ML2s.
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Post by tar12 on Oct 17, 2012 19:50:52 GMT -5
I was just curious Steve as I know next to nothing about x-bows but I am trying to gather as much info as possible before making the plunge and more importantly put something in my kids hands that will cause them any harm. I did not realize that x-bows required so much maintenance. Upon limb failure do they just crack or explode?
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Post by sw on Oct 19, 2012 22:29:27 GMT -5
Tar, due to a shoulder injury, I have gone back and forth between my recurve v-bow and x-bows for the past 30 years. I don't consider x-vows, even compound x-bows, as particularly maintance prone. The limbs are more stressed though, especially ones like the SZ380. Even 10 Point limbs break, as well as Parker, PSE(significant on the -15), major problem on Barnett but virtually none on Excaliber and Middleton. The SZ has so much going for it, I'd buy again without hesitation. I think what I posted will significantly reduce the possibility of failure. It is so quiet(Limb Savers and 483g arrow ), fast, balanced, light, compact, accurate, incredible trigger, accurate. Nothing else comes close to all these combined qualities, IMO. Except for the 2 weekends I get to use my 40 cal PacNor 10-ML2, crossbow is it for me with our 5 1/2 month season. I use an HHA Optimizer with a WCE 1.5x4.5 and Red Hot arrows/ FOC(170g) expandable broadheads. Even 80 yd groups stay below 2". If x-bow season is a person's primary season , then having a back-up is a good idea. Mine is a 6 or 7 year old Parker Saf Mag(#175) that is getting it's 3 or 4th set of replacement limbs(lasts an avg of 1500 shots before a small splinter shows up. I epoxy the splinter and wait for new(free) limbs. No, I've never had any excitement with broken limbs: all I've had is very small splintering.
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Post by tar12 on Oct 21, 2012 5:35:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply Steve. That sets my mind at ease about the limbs. ;D
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Post by sw on Nov 12, 2012 20:30:27 GMT -5
Brief update. I got 12 Lazer 3 pro arrows (22")with 110g brass insert , 2" blazers 2degree rt offset and currently am shooting 125g Spitfires (481g) vs my Red Hots with 170g FOCs (483g). Impact points are identical (HHA/WCE 1.5x4.5) to 90 yards but groups are a little tighter. If I had it to do again, I'd get conventional inserts(20g) and still use the wonderful FOCs. I plan go to 100g Spitfires.
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