Ball Review


Brunswick: Meanstreak Brawler Hook 52.5 • Length14.5 • Breakpoint Shape 15.5


////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////// Manufacturer’s Intent: “Our


target was a hybrid be- tween the original Means- treak [December 2012] and C•(System) maxxed-out


[September 2012],” says Billy Orlikowski, Brunswick’s prod- uct manager. “The Meanstreak Brawler skids easily through the front part of the lane, revving strong in the mid- lane for a strong, continu- ous breakpoint. This combi- nation of coverstock and core creates an extremely versatile


motion on medium dry to medium oily lane conditions.”


Core Design: The medium RG sym- metrical core incorporates more mass near the center to lower the RG to 2.53 and provide enough diff erential, .048. We saw nearly 5.5 inches of track fl are with our 3.5-inch pin distance layout, perfect for increasing total hook.


Coverstock: The Meanstreak Brawler’s cover formula is a hybrid, with a 500-grit sanded surface and a Rough Buff top coat. Brunswick calls this cover Addap- tive (P+F), which stands for projection and friction. Colors are a vibrant mix of blue solid and gold and bronze pearls. Response time off dry is moderately quick and oil traction is average, yet


stronger than the Meanstreak. The Ra is aggressive at 2.6, as is the eff ective surface grit of 5000.


Test Results: For those who felt the fi rst Meanstreak may have gone a little too long or wasn’t quite aggressive enough through carrydown, your prayers have been answered. This new ball solves those issues with a more assertive mid- lane motion, due to the core and cover mix. Overall motion shape is more rounded (arcing) and plays well in the hands of those with fi rmer ball speed or lower rev rates. Testing


also showed extended usability as the lanes transitioned. Moves inside still carried very well for all rev rates.


When to Use: We had great looks on both fresh and slightly broken-down house or Sport patterns. The extra mid-lane motion played well into this early good look. As tran- sition occurred, 2-1 moves or parallel moves allowed us to keep this ball in hand and con- tinue to carry. We felt the original Meanstreak gave us a better look through later transition, as the all-pearl cover and slightly higher RG core retained energy better. The Meanstreak Brawler, as with the other three balls in the High Performance category — Meanstreak, C•(System) maxxed-out and C• (System) versa-max (March 2012) — are some of our favorite nuggets from Brunswick.


TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BOWLER


Storm: Reign Of Power Hook 58.5 • Length 11 • Breakpoint Shape 16


////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////// Manufacturer’s Intent:


“The intent behind the Reign of Power was to expand our Thunder line with a strong


symmetrical shape that would handle heavier oil, especially tournament shots like the [USBC] Open


Championships — hence the strong 1000-grit surface preparation and the PFT solid


coverstock, which really


reads the midlane,” says Steve Kloempken of Storm Products.


Core Design: The Cam symmetric core, which powers the ball, also was used in the Reign (October 2009) and Reign of Fire (February 2010). The RG is 2.57 and the diff erential .048. We saw nearly 6 inches of track fl are during testing. The shape and core numbers scream “aggressive back-end motion.” Coverstock: The Reign of Power’s PFT solid reactive coverstock is aggressively factory sanded with 360 grit, then with a quick hit of 1000 grit. Both of our test balls measured 1365 eff ective surface grit with a 48.25 Ra value. Colors are a mix of sky blue and purple. Oil traction is well above average and response time is moderately quick.


Test Results: The Reign of Power handled any and all of our heavily oiled patterns. The motion


shape was strong in the midlane due to the aggressive low-grit sanding, yet the breakpoint had surprising angularity. This version hooked three to fi ve boards more overall with a stronger mid-lane presence than an old Reign of Fire. Hitting power and pin carry were very good until we blew the pattern wide open, which didn’t take all that long. Once blown open, we found our


typical 2-and-1 lane adjustments weren’t enough; we had to make 4-and-2 moves inward with feet and target. Eventually, our lateral moves gave way to “balling down” to help conserve down-lane energy.


When to Use: With the strong mid- lane and back-end read aff orded by the PFT cover and low factory grit, our speed-dominant testers were unable to overshoot their breakpoint. Our lower rev tester also found extended uses as the ball displayed above-average continua- tion though fresh and carrydown-laden heavier oil patterns. Our higher pin at 5 inches gave us a couple of feet more length than our 4-inch pin positioned below the fi ngers.


/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////// March 2013 19


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