2016 PSE Draw Length Adjustment: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The 2016 PSE draw length adjustment sounds technical, but it is one of the most personal settings on your bow. Draw length decides how the bow sits in your hand, where your anchor lands and how consistently you shoot. Get it right and everything settles into place. Get it wrong and no amount of practice fully fixes the problem.

We have watched archers blame arrows, releases, sights and their own nerves when the real issue was draw length. The good news: on most 2016 PSE bows, adjusting it is a 15-minute job once you understand your cam. This Better Outdoors guide walks through the full process, explains how to read a PSE draw length chart, and covers popular models such as the Stinger, Brute and Mini Burner.

Try the free Draw Length CalculatorEstimate your draw length from wingspan or height.

Why Draw Length Matters More Than You Think

Draw length is the distance from the nocking point on the string to the pivot point of the grip, plus 1.75 inches (the AMO/ATA standard). That is the definition. In practice, it is your entire shooting posture.

• Too long: you feel stretched out, your bow arm locks straight, the string slaps your forearm, and your front shoulder creeps up. You fight the bow instead of settling into it.
• Too short: everything collapses inward. Your anchor floats, your peep never quite lines up, and you lose the back tension that produces a surprise release.

A correct draw length puts your skeleton in charge, not your muscles. Bones hold the bow steady; muscles shake. That is where accuracy lives.

How 2016 PSE Bows Handle Draw Length

PSE earned a reputation for bows that adjust without unnecessary complexity. In 2016, most of the line-up used modular cam systems that let shooters change draw length in ½-inch increments, and some youth and beginner bows offered huge adjustment ranges with no bow press needed.

You will usually run into one of three setups:

Both rotating and removable modules work well. The key is knowing which one you have before you touch anything. Look for small numbers or letters stamped beside the module holes on the cam, and a sticker or engraving that names the cam (for example a model name or a code such as EC, Drive or ECS). That name is what you look up on the chart.

Before You Adjust Anything, Stop and Prepare

This is where many people rush. Don’t. A clean, careful setup makes the adjustment easy and prevents expensive mistakes.

What You’ll Need

• Correct-size hex keys, ideally a dedicated archery hex key set so you don’t round out screw heads
• A stable work surface and a towel to protect the cams
• The manufacturer draw length chart for your specific cam
• A phone camera to photograph the current settings
• Optional, model dependent: a portable bow press
• Optional: a draw check arrow to confirm your measurement

How to Find Your Correct Draw Length

Before adjusting, you need a target number. Guessing leads to endless tweaking.

The Wingspan Method (Starting Point)

1. Stand naturally with your back against a wall and arms extended out to the sides, palms facing forward.
2. Measure fingertip to fingertip in inches. Have a friend help; don’t stretch.
3. Divide by 2.5. A 70-inch wingspan gives a 28-inch starting draw length.

That number gives you a baseline, not a final answer. Release style matters: a wrist-strap index release usually wants a slightly shorter draw than a handheld thumb release. Real shooting feedback matters more than math.

Try the free Draw Length CalculatorEstimate your draw length from wingspan or height.

Signs Your Draw Length Is Correct

• The string touches the tip of your nose and corner of your mouth naturally
• Your anchor point feels repeatable, not forced
• Your bow arm has a slight, relaxed bend at the elbow
• Your front shoulder stays low and relaxed at full draw
• You can hold steady on the spot for several seconds without shaking

If any of those feel off, your 2016 PSE draw length adjustment needs refinement.

How to Read a PSE Draw Length Chart

PSE publishes a draw length chart (sometimes called a module chart or draw length adjustment chart) for each cam system. Many archers search for a single “PSE draw length chart PDF,” but there isn’t one chart for every bow: positions differ from cam to cam, so always use the chart that matches the name on your cam.

Every PSE chart answers the same three questions:

1. Which module or module size gives each draw length.
2. Which hole or position on that module to use.
3. Which string post (if your cam has one) adds the half-inch step.

Here is how a typical chart is laid out. The values below are an example of the format, not settings for your bow:

Step-by-Step: Adjusting Draw Length on a 2016 PSE Bow

This is the heart of the process. Work slowly and photograph each step.

Step 1: Identify Your Cam System

Look at the cam. You will see either a removable module with numbered positions or a rotating module held by one or two screws. Find the cam name and write down your current setting, top and bottom, before changing anything.

Step 2: Loosen the Module Screws

Use steady pressure and the right size key. Back the screws out just enough to move the module. If a screw resists hard or the module feels loaded, stop: your bow needs a press for this change.

Step 3: Move to the New Draw Length Setting

Align the module with the position your chart lists for your target draw length. Most 2016 PSE cams are clearly marked. Move in ½-inch steps where you can.

Step 4: Match Both Cams

This part is critical. On dual-cam and hybrid systems, both cams must be set to the same draw length. A mismatch throws off cam timing, which shows up as a lumpy draw cycle, inconsistent let-off and erratic arrow flight.

Step 5: Tighten Securely

Snug, not forced. Over-tightening can strip threads in an aluminum cam. A drop of medium-strength thread locker is fine if the manufacturer allows it. Then draw the bow slowly a few times and listen for clicks or creaks before you shoot.

Notes for Popular PSE Models

Search Console tells us many Better Outdoors readers own one of these bows, so here is what to expect from each family. Always confirm positions with the chart for your exact cam.

PSE Stinger and Stinger 3G Draw Length Adjustment

The Stinger family was built as a grow-with-you bow. It uses a rotating module, so a Stinger draw length adjustment is usually a press-free job: remove the module screws, rotate the module to the position on the PSE Stinger draw length adjustment chart, and tighten. Because the range is wide, re-check draw weight afterward; big draw length moves can change how the bow feels at full draw.

PSE Mini Burner and Youth Bows (Including the PSE Guide)

Youth bows such as the Mini Burner are designed to grow with a young archer, so the PSE Mini Burner draw length adjustment is meant to be easy. Change it in small steps as your child grows, and lower draw weight first if form breaks down. The same logic applies to a PSE Guide youth bow adjustment: comfort and form beat speed every time for kids.

PSE Brute NXT and Hunting Bows

Hunting bows like the Brute NXT often use removable modules or a module plus string-post system. A PSE Brute NXT draw length adjustment may need a bow press if the module carries load. If you are not sure, treat it as press-required.

PSE EC, Drive and Evolve-Style Cams

Performance cams such as the EC family use rotating modules with specific positions for each draw length and, on some, separate let-off settings. Use the PSE EC2 cam draw length chart (or whichever cam is named on yours) and change one variable at a time: draw length first, let-off second.

Can You Adjust Without a Bow Press?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many 2016 PSE bows were designed for press-free adjustments, but only within specific limits.

Press-Free Adjustments Are Usually Safe When:

• The string and cables remain fully seated in their tracks
• The module is not load-bearing
• The manufacturer explicitly allows it for your cam

If you feel tension fighting you, stop. A press is cheaper than replacing a cam. If you work on your own bows often, a portable bow press pays for itself quickly.

Common Mistakes That Ruin Results

A 2016 PSE draw length adjustment should be deliberate: small changes, one variable at a time.

How Draw Length Changes Affect Bow Performance

This part surprises many shooters. Adjusting draw length doesn’t just change fit. It changes how the bow behaves.

Performance Effects at a Glance

Speed matters. Control matters more. Curious what a draw length change does to your real arrow speed? Plug it into our arrow speed calculator.

Test, Shoot, Then Decide

Never judge draw length by drawing the bow once in your living room. Shoot it.

What to Check During Testing

• Group size at 20 yards compared with your old setting
• How quickly you can settle the pin
• Consistency of your anchor point
• Shoulder and neck comfort after 30+ arrows

If it feels “almost right,” it probably is. Fine-tuning comes next.

Fine-Tuning After the Adjustment

Once your draw length is close, other details come into focus:

• Peep height may need to move so it meets your eye at a natural head position
• D-loop length might feel different; a ⅛-inch change in loop length acts like a small draw length change
• Release length on a wrist-strap release can be tuned to fine-adjust fit
• Sight tape and pins need re-sighting because arrow speed changed

This is normal. It means your setup is finally working together. A proper 2016 PSE draw length adjustment often reveals issues that were masked before.

When a Pro Shop Is the Right Call

There is no shame in expert help. Visit an archery pro shop if:

• Your bow requires a press you don’t have
• Cam timing looks uneven after the adjustment
• You can’t find the chart for your cam
• The bow feels harsh, noisy or inconsistent

A 15-minute professional setup can save weeks of frustration.

Why 2016 PSE Bows Still Deserve Attention

These bows were built during a sweet spot in compound design: strong materials, logical adjustability and no unnecessary gimmicks. With the correct draw length, they still perform at a high level and remain some of the best values on the used market. Comparing one to a newer model? See our PSE Evolve 28 review or our Bear Persist review.

Final Thoughts

Draw length isn’t a minor tweak. It is the foundation of your entire shooting form. Take your time, measure carefully, make small changes and shoot often. When your draw length is right, the bow stops fighting you, shots break cleaner and confidence builds fast. Once you feel that, you’ll never ignore draw length again.

Frequently Asked Questions