PSE Stinger Review

While the following information is not specific to the PSE Stinger, it is important that you get this right no matter what bow you end up choosing.

The most important decision you will make as it relates to your bow purchase is choosing the right size. The size is more important than the brand or the type of cams, the fancy doodads or pretty much anything else. If the size is wrong, you are going to have problems. So, let’s see what we can do to make sure you get it right.

There are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration when determining what size bow is right for you. You will need to decide what length bow you need, what draw weight you need, proper draw length and right or left handed. All of these need to be right.

Let’s take a look at each individually.

Bow Length

Compound bows come in a variety of lengths. The length of the bow is measured from axle to axle. Bows range in size from 32″ to 46″. Following are a few things to consider when deciding the length you need.

• Accuracy – The longer the bow, the more accurate it is. While this is true, it doesn’t mean that if you get the longest bow you can get that you are guaranteed to have a good shot. Nothing replaces experience and lots of practice. The only time you might want the longest bow you can get is if you are shooting in a tournament where extreme accuracy is important. Let’s face it, when you are hunting, you really do not have that kind of time to set up the shot perfectly anyway.
• Bow weight – The shorter the bow, the lighter weight it is. Depending on what type of hunting you are doing, weight may play an important factor in your decision. How far or how long you need to carry your equipment may be a determining factor in how important weight is to you.
• Maneuverability – The shorter the bow, the easier it is to maneuver through the woods and/or into a tree stand. There’s not much more that can be said about this other than it’s something you should keep in mind.

With all that said, only the most experienced of hunters should probably consider the 32″ bow and the only those looking for extreme accuracy would probably consider the longest bow. The majority of hunters choose a length that is somewhere in the middle. If you find yourself having trouble deciding between two sizes, choose accuracy (the longer bow) over weight (the shorter bow).

Draw Weight

Below is a chart to help you choose the appropriate draw weight. Please keep in mind that these are just general guidelines.

Note:  All weights are in pounds.

A couple of things you need to keep in mind:  If a bow has a draw weight of 60#, that is the maximum draw weight for that bow.  A bow that is rated for a 60# draw weight cannot be adjusted for more then 60# but can be adjusted down as low as 51#.  It should not, however, be adjusted to 50#.  A bow that has a maximum draw weight of 50# will perform much better at 50# than a bow that has a maximum draw weight of 60# that is adjusted down to 50#.  In other words,  the bow performs far more efficiently as close to the maximum draw weight as possible.

Another rule of thumb that some use in choosing draw weight is that if you can hold the draw for 15 to 30 seconds without shaking, then you have the correct draw weight for you.  If you are new to archery, you are likely going to be using muscles you are not used to using and a lot of practice is going to strengthen those muscles.

Draw Length

Determining your draw length is a bit easier than determining draw weight or bow length.  Stand facing a wall.  Make a fist with the hand that you will use to hold the bow.  With your fist against the wall, stand in the position you would be in while drawing the bow.  Ask someone to measure, along the same line as your extended arm, from the wall to the corner of your mouth.  This measurement is your draw length.

Right Handed or Left Handed

A right handed bow means that you are holding the bow in your left hand and drawing it with your right.  Most right handed people will use a right handed bow.  There are a few that will prefer left handed but not many and you know who you are.  I knew one guy that was right handed but did a lot of things left handed – swing a baseball bat, golf, etc.  Again, you more than likely know who you are.

Hopefully this information helps you choose the right size bow for you.  If you have any questions or can offer others suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment and I will be glad to add the information to the site.  I am sure others will appreciate the information too.

In my next post, well talk more specifically about the PSE Stinger and what others think about it.

Until next time!