PSE Stinger ATK Review: A Real Hunting Bow, Fully Kitted
Buy the PSE Stinger ATK if you want one bow that will still be right in five years and you would rather spend once than upgrade twice, because at 32 inches axle to axle and a stated 304 to 312 fps it is a genuine hunting rig rather than a training bow with accessories bolted on. Skip it if you have not settled on a draw length or you are buying for a growing archer, because a wide-adjustment bow like the Cruzer or the Edge XT will follow a changing body far better.
The point where a package bow stops being a starter bow.
PSE Archery Stinger ATK Compound Bow Package, Right Hand, 70 lb
Under $1,000
A 32 inch axle to axle hunting bow sold as a full package in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Axle to axle | 32 inches |
|---|---|
| Brace height | 6 5/8 inches |
| Stated speed | 304 to 312 fps |
| Let-off | 80 percent |
| Peak draw weight | 70 lb version |
| Budget | Under $1,000 |
Specifications above come from PSE's published specifications on the current listing. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- A 6 5/8 inch brace height is forgiving by modern speed bow standards, so small form errors cost less accuracy than they would on a 5 inch brace.
- 32 inches axle to axle is the sweet spot most bowhunters land on: steady enough to hold on target, short enough for a treestand or a ground blind.
- 80 percent let-off means the holding weight at full draw is a fifth of peak, which is what lets you wait out an animal that is not yet clear.
- Sold as a package, so the sight, rest and quiver arrive matched to the bow rather than bought piecemeal.
- PSE has a dealer network, which matters when a cam or a module needs sourcing years later.
Where it falls short
- Package accessories are package accessories. The sight and rest are serviceable, and both are the first things a serious shooter replaces.
- The listing publishes speed as an IBO style figure. Real arrow speed with a hunting weight arrow, a peep, a d-loop and your actual draw length is normally 25 to 40 fps slower, and that is not a defect, it is how the number is measured.
- It is not a wide-adjustment bow. Check the draw length range for the model you order before buying, because a 32 inch axle to axle hunting bow assumes you already know your draw.
- At under $1,000 the price sits close to entry-level flagship territory, where dealer-only bows start to compete.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of the Stinger line are consistent that this is a quiet, low-vibration bow for the money, and that the package accessories are the weak part of the deal rather than the bow. Several owners describe replacing the sight within a season while keeping the bow for years, which is the normal pattern for any bow sold as a kit. Reviews from people who shoot flagship bows tend to describe the Stinger as a little less refined in the draw cycle and no less capable at hunting distances.
The speed figure deserves a plain explanation, because it is where most disappointment comes from. A stated 304 to 312 fps is measured under a standardised setup, not with your arrow. Feed your own numbers into our arrow speed calculator before you form an expectation, and if you are working out what a heavier arrow buys you in penetration, the kinetic energy calculator is the honest way to compare.
Axle to axle length is the specification most first-time buyers underrate. A 32 inch bow behaves differently in a tight blind than a 29 inch bow does, and differently again on a long open shot. We walk through that trade-off in the short versus long axle to axle comparison, and if you are still weighing the whole platform, the compound versus recurve comparison covers the step before this one.
One practical note that owners raise repeatedly: order the correct hand. A right-handed bow is drawn with the right hand and held in the left, and eye dominance rather than handedness should decide it. If you are not certain, a pro shop will check in a minute. Draw weight minimums for hunting vary by state and by species, so confirm the current requirement with your own wildlife agency rather than assuming 40 lb is legal everywhere.
Who it suits
- Bowhunters who know their draw length and want a bow that will not need replacing.
- Archers upgrading from a wide-adjustment starter bow who want more speed and a steadier hold.
- Anyone who wants a complete rig in one purchase from a brand with dealer support.
Who should skip it
- Growing archers and anyone still unsure of their draw length.
- Shooters on a tight budget, where the Dragon X8 delivers most of the capability for less than half the money.
- Target archers wanting a long axle to axle bow for known-distance shooting.
Alternatives worth considering
Diamond Archery Edge XT Fully Accessorized Compound Bow, Right Hand
Under $500
Adjusts from 19 to 31 inches of draw with no separate modules or cams and carries a 50 lb draw weight adjustment range, so it fits a household rather than a person. Take this if the bow has to cover more than one archer.
Check price on AmazonBear Archery Cruzer G4 Ready to Hunt Compound Bow, 70 lb, Right Hand
Under $500
10 to 70 lb and 14 to 30 inches of draw at 3.2 lb mass weight. Nothing at this price fits more bodies, which is why it is the default recommendation for a first adult bow.
Check price on AmazonSanlida Dragon X8 RTH Compound Bow Package
Under $250
A stated IBO 310 fps, 0 to 70 lb and 18 to 31 inch adjustment with no press needed, and it ships with arrows, a release and a case. It is less refined, and it costs less than half.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Short vs long axle to axle bows
- Best compound bows for beginners
- Draw length calculator
- Arrow speed calculator
- Bear Cruzer G4 RTH review
- Diamond Edge XT review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PSE Stinger ATK a good beginner bow?
It is a good first bow for an adult who has had a draw length measured and intends to hunt, and a poor one for a growing archer. The bow assumes a settled draw length rather than offering the very wide adjustment range that a Cruzer G4 or an Edge XT gives you. If there is any chance the bow has to fit someone else too, buy adjustability instead of speed.
How fast is the Stinger ATK with a real hunting arrow?
Slower than the stated 304 to 312 fps, and that is normal. Published speeds come from a standardised test setup with a light arrow, no peep and no d-loop. A hunting arrow in the 420 to 500 grain range typically lands 25 to 40 fps below the headline figure. Run your own numbers through the arrow speed calculator rather than trusting the box.
PSE Stinger ATK vs the Bear Cruzer G4?
The Cruzer fits more people, the Stinger shoots better once it fits you. The Cruzer covers 14 to 30 inches of draw and 10 to 70 lb, so it is the family bow. The Stinger is a 32 inch axle to axle hunting bow with a longer riser and a steadier hold. If you are choosing between package bows at this level, our Cruzer G4 versus Dragon X8 comparison covers the same decision one price tier down.
What draw weight do I need for hunting?
Enough to make an ethical, complete pass through on the animal you are hunting, and at least whatever your state requires. Legal minimums vary by state and by species and they do change, so confirm the current rule with your own wildlife agency. Practically, most whitetail hunters are well served in the 50 to 65 lb range with a well matched arrow, and shooting a weight you can draw smoothly while seated and cold matters more than the number.
Do I need to replace the package sight straight away?
No. Shoot it for a season and find out what it does not do for you. The common upgrades are a sight with micro-adjustable pins and honest third axis leveling, and a drop-away rest. Both are worth money once you know your yardages. Neither is worth buying before you have shot the bow enough to know what is limiting you.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, verified owner reviews, and pro shop guidance. We do not test gear in person. Draw weight and arrow spine affect safety, so follow your bow manufacturer's specifications and have setup work checked by a qualified pro shop.
