Help Please - Barnett Prdator - New to Crossbows
07-30-2009, 05:53 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
Help Please - Barnett Prdator - New to Crossbows
New here, new to crossbows, but I need some help for a friend of my dad. Let me give you some information on myself. I shoot regular compound bows and know allot about working and tuning on them, but as far as crossbows go, brand new to them. Actually shot my first one couple weeks ago the above mentioned.
Ok, my dad's friend bought a Barnett Predator crossbow used from and individual. When he bought it, it had no string on it, just the control cables and the guy he bought if from told him the sting broke during a shot. He told the guy that he wanted to have it inspected and shoot it before making the purchase, agreed. Anyway the guy gave him a new string from Barnett and he brought it to me to take a look at it before buying. After inspecting it carefully, measuring, miking the cams with calipers, basically everything I could do to ensure the bow was OK, I found nothing. So I put it in my press and installed the new string. We shot it a few times and everything seems to be fine, actually shot great. He called me last night and told me the serving area on which the sting rides down the rail was wearing out already. He also informed me, he and his neighbor shot it a good many times. He did say he waxed the string at least every 5 shots, per instructions that came with the string.
Here is my questions.
1-What are the specs on this crossbow? ATA measurement, Brace Height (Edit:Measured from?), Timing, all that stuff if any?
2-How many twist should there be in the string? When we got it there was none, I did put about 4 twists in it when I put it on. Does it require more/less or any?
3-Serving Wear. Is this common on crossbows? If yes, approx. how many shots should he be getting out of a string? Can I just reserve it and is there something stronger I could use to serve it with that may prolong the wear? What about mono filament? Could I use mono to possible serve it making a slicker surface to ride the rail?
4-Instruction Manuals. Is there any place I can download one? I googled and found nothing. Buy the way the guy lost the manual.
Thanks in advance for any advice. I hate to say this, but with some forums you have to. Please keep the post to constructive help only. Please no, should have bought this crossbow or that crossbow, or tell him to sell it and buy brand A or B. Please no, that crossbow is junk. I would greatly appreciate any help, and should you need more information, let me know and I'll do my best.
Edit: I did measure the tiller to make sure it was the same after installing the new string. I also noticed on the Barnett web site, 100 shots is normal but could be more.
Also noticed he needs to lube the rail every 5 shots or so. What is a good lube for this?
Ok, my dad's friend bought a Barnett Predator crossbow used from and individual. When he bought it, it had no string on it, just the control cables and the guy he bought if from told him the sting broke during a shot. He told the guy that he wanted to have it inspected and shoot it before making the purchase, agreed. Anyway the guy gave him a new string from Barnett and he brought it to me to take a look at it before buying. After inspecting it carefully, measuring, miking the cams with calipers, basically everything I could do to ensure the bow was OK, I found nothing. So I put it in my press and installed the new string. We shot it a few times and everything seems to be fine, actually shot great. He called me last night and told me the serving area on which the sting rides down the rail was wearing out already. He also informed me, he and his neighbor shot it a good many times. He did say he waxed the string at least every 5 shots, per instructions that came with the string.
Here is my questions.
1-What are the specs on this crossbow? ATA measurement, Brace Height (Edit:Measured from?), Timing, all that stuff if any?
2-How many twist should there be in the string? When we got it there was none, I did put about 4 twists in it when I put it on. Does it require more/less or any?
3-Serving Wear. Is this common on crossbows? If yes, approx. how many shots should he be getting out of a string? Can I just reserve it and is there something stronger I could use to serve it with that may prolong the wear? What about mono filament? Could I use mono to possible serve it making a slicker surface to ride the rail?
4-Instruction Manuals. Is there any place I can download one? I googled and found nothing. Buy the way the guy lost the manual.
Thanks in advance for any advice. I hate to say this, but with some forums you have to. Please keep the post to constructive help only. Please no, should have bought this crossbow or that crossbow, or tell him to sell it and buy brand A or B. Please no, that crossbow is junk. I would greatly appreciate any help, and should you need more information, let me know and I'll do my best.
Edit: I did measure the tiller to make sure it was the same after installing the new string. I also noticed on the Barnett web site, 100 shots is normal but could be more.
Also noticed he needs to lube the rail every 5 shots or so. What is a good lube for this?
Last edited by Crackedup; 07-30-2009 at 06:58 AM. Reason: New info obtained.
07-30-2009, 08:28 PM
#3
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Barbour Co. West Virginia
Posts: 90
Crackedup, First of all...WELCOME.
Second, I think DaGriz is right, it should have been sent back to Barnett.
Now, lets assume you the owner doesn't want to do that and is comfy shooting as is. I have found that wax on the serving doesn't help a whole lot, matter of fact on my Parker Safari Mag it caused it to "stutter" on the plastic rail. As for rail grease, you can buy commercial "rail grease". I use Horton Brand. BUT, I picked up a great tip online, maybe even on here, to try JIG-A-LOO. It is a spray lubricant. You can find it in the automotive section at WalMart or Auto Parts stores. It comes in an orange can. It even smells like oranges. Because of the scent, I use grease in hunting season. I use it on the rail and serving. I really goop it on. But the Jig A Loo is best for practice sessions. It evaporates and leaves a dry lube on the rail that works great.
Sorry but I have no detailed information on the Predator to help you out there. Don't know much about that bow personally but I like the looks of it. I also see it used a good bit by the Buspice family on the "Wild Game Nation" TV show.
I can give you a couple basic words of advice though. First nothing you know about a compound really helps with a crossbow. I learned this lesson the hard way. Second, the key to good arrow flight and crossbow "tuning" is all about getting the string pulled straight back. I have found the commercial crank devices are best for this task. While I am strong enough to draw and lock both of mine, doing so without getting the string a bit off-center is quite a trick it seems. Rope aids are good too, but still I have found them to allow the string to get off center at times. You can see if this is happening by painting a mark in the center of the string OR on either side of the rail at rest. These marks should stay equal throughout the draw and lockdown cycle. Also FOC (forward of center) is very important in tuning a CB. I have found that 10% is minimum. With 20" carbons 150gr on the nose sure helps a bunch! This can be accomplished with Brass Inserts or weighted brass washers behind the Field Tip or BH.
Good Luck. Hope something here helps a bit.
Dryridge
Second, I think DaGriz is right, it should have been sent back to Barnett.
Now, lets assume you the owner doesn't want to do that and is comfy shooting as is. I have found that wax on the serving doesn't help a whole lot, matter of fact on my Parker Safari Mag it caused it to "stutter" on the plastic rail. As for rail grease, you can buy commercial "rail grease". I use Horton Brand. BUT, I picked up a great tip online, maybe even on here, to try JIG-A-LOO. It is a spray lubricant. You can find it in the automotive section at WalMart or Auto Parts stores. It comes in an orange can. It even smells like oranges. Because of the scent, I use grease in hunting season. I use it on the rail and serving. I really goop it on. But the Jig A Loo is best for practice sessions. It evaporates and leaves a dry lube on the rail that works great.
Sorry but I have no detailed information on the Predator to help you out there. Don't know much about that bow personally but I like the looks of it. I also see it used a good bit by the Buspice family on the "Wild Game Nation" TV show.
I can give you a couple basic words of advice though. First nothing you know about a compound really helps with a crossbow. I learned this lesson the hard way. Second, the key to good arrow flight and crossbow "tuning" is all about getting the string pulled straight back. I have found the commercial crank devices are best for this task. While I am strong enough to draw and lock both of mine, doing so without getting the string a bit off-center is quite a trick it seems. Rope aids are good too, but still I have found them to allow the string to get off center at times. You can see if this is happening by painting a mark in the center of the string OR on either side of the rail at rest. These marks should stay equal throughout the draw and lockdown cycle. Also FOC (forward of center) is very important in tuning a CB. I have found that 10% is minimum. With 20" carbons 150gr on the nose sure helps a bunch! This can be accomplished with Brass Inserts or weighted brass washers behind the Field Tip or BH.
Good Luck. Hope something here helps a bit.
Dryridge
08-02-2009, 09:09 AM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: arkansas
Posts: 3,147
Don't use monofil. Try Halo or Angel for serving. You need a jig to really stretch the string and need to really get the wraps tight.
Back to Bnett was best advise, if not that, check the forum on Crossbow Nation, they have a Bnett 'room' w/ factory rep checking in that can answer your questions,
Back to Bnett was best advise, if not that, check the forum on Crossbow Nation, they have a Bnett 'room' w/ factory rep checking in that can answer your questions,
08-02-2009, 12:20 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: No.MN
Posts: 1,053
Wax the string but not the serving, it only softens the serving and makes it wear even faster. Lube the deck but not with greasy stuff (Some of that stuff actually has Crisco in it!) Greasy stuff attracts dirt that wears the string and the deck. Use a dry lube like Jig A Loo or CRS that goes on wet but dries in seconds. It will help the string glide on the deck.
Your serving may be separating simply because it's a factory string. Most are machine made so the serving thread isn't wound tight enough. Most of them are machine made, which may work for verts but don't last long under several times the pressure of CBs. I use a string stretching jig and apply pressure until the string is very, very VERY tight. Then, I crank down the tension wing nut on the serving tool and actually wear leather gloves to make sure the serving goes on SUPER tight.
Mono won't last long on CB's plus the serving string has to be relatively heavy (at lest .026 or even .030 diam) and tough. I agree Halo or Angel are good for serving CBs. If nothing else get some Brownell CB serving.
Your serving may be separating simply because it's a factory string. Most are machine made so the serving thread isn't wound tight enough. Most of them are machine made, which may work for verts but don't last long under several times the pressure of CBs. I use a string stretching jig and apply pressure until the string is very, very VERY tight. Then, I crank down the tension wing nut on the serving tool and actually wear leather gloves to make sure the serving goes on SUPER tight.
Mono won't last long on CB's plus the serving string has to be relatively heavy (at lest .026 or even .030 diam) and tough. I agree Halo or Angel are good for serving CBs. If nothing else get some Brownell CB serving.
