A Wolf with a real bite

Daystate has been pioneering air rifle design for over 45 years. Its latest release, the Blackwolf, is no exception when it comes to innovation. Could this be the ultimate mechanical modular air rifle platform?

At the time of writing this review, there are no less that 32 different configurations of the Blackwolf available “off the shelf”, and there are at least 60 optional extra accessories listed on the Daystate website. If that’s not the pinnacle of customisation, I don’t know what is.

Eight of these models are aimed at sub-12ft/lb UK shooters, while the other options are all geared towards FAC shooters. Prices range from £1,795 for the baseline 12ft/lb carbon grey cylinder model, up to £2,950 for the high power FAC HiLite tactical version.

AIR OPTIONS

There are numerous configurations of air reservoir available, including 200cc and 300cc alloy cylinders, plus 300cc, 480cc and 580cc carbon bottles (HiLite). No matter which configuration you choose, they all utilise Daystate’s quick-fill probe, and the fill port is neatly housed underneath a magnetic cover on the underside of the fore grip.

This is yet another clever piece of engineering from the boffins at Daystate HQ. I have absolutely no doubt that this one is going to stay put, even during the rough and tumble of a hectic scramble through the woods while hunting – the magnets used are extremely strong and the flush design means it cannot be knocked off by a twig or suchlike.

ADJUSTABLE POWER

There’s a power adjustment wheel at the back end of the action, which has 20 modes of adjustment from minimum to maximum. Basically, as you turn the wheel it moves the hammer spring adjuster backward or forwards, increasing or decreasing the tension.

If you’re shooting FAC, then you can also purchase a more powerful spring to help increase the rifles’ overall power output.

A rifle of this quality requires the very best regulator, and just like their other PCP rifles, Daystate has installed a HUMA. It’s worth noting that the regulator is adjustable without degassing if you want to turn it up, but if you want to reduce the pressure then you must degas the rifle first.

They have also upgraded the valve system, with a fast flow valve that improves both shot count and efficiency. The valves on the sub-12ft/lb model differ from the Hi Power version, but both valves utilise a titanium valve pin, which is much lighter than a steel pin, allowing the valve to react quicker, opening and closing more quickly, speeding up the cycling time and improving overall efficiency.

BARREL CHOICES

As with the choice of air reservoir, there are numerous barrel configurations available, too. This base model that I’m testing here comes fitted with a 17in Lothar Walther barrel, but there are also 23in and 28in barrels available. If you’re a high-power slugger, then there’s a slug-specific barrel available, too.

All of the barrel configurations come full shrouded, and there is a 0.5 inch UNF thread at the end if you want to add a silencer to the setup.

The base model barrel doesn’t come fitted with a barrel tensioner as standard, and that’s purely to keep the price down, but you can purchase one as an optional extra. Needless to say, the models above the baseline price point do come with a barrel tensioner fitted.

The barrel tensioner helps improve barrel rigidity and therefore accuracy. All the barrels are fast changing, so you can swap out calibres in an instant.

STOCK OPTIONS

The Blackwolf is available in three stock options, including the carbon grey baseline model, a grey laminate and, of course, natural walnut – all supplied by Minelli. There is also a tactical platform available for those who like the military look.

Daystate has spent a lot of time ensuring that this new stock design is optimal. In fact, it is one of the lowest profile stocks that Daystate has ever designed. This low profile helps with stability and manoeuvrability, as well as helping to reduce the chances of cant.

The ambidextrous cheekpiece is height adjustable, as is the butt pad, and there is ample checkering on the ergonomically crafted pistol grip and forend. On the underside of the fore grip there is an M-LOK rail fitting, which sits flush to the stock for when you’re shooting freehand, but also allows you to add a bipod, too.

AMAZING TRIGGER

It goes without saying that Daystate has designed a new trigger system as part of this project, and it’s a really exciting concept. It is in fact a removable trigger “cassette” system.

This means that you can purchase extra trigger units and have them all set differently depending on how you are shooting and how you like your trigger set for say competition shooting and also hunting.

Each cassette unit allows you to adjust the trigger for pretty much every aspect, no less than eight points. These include first stage travel, first stage weight, trigger position, trigger shoe position and second stage travel to break.

It comes set with a short first stage and around 10oz pull weight, but it can be altered from around 8oz to 3.5lbs.

There’s the AR15-type safety lever immediately above and behind the trigger. Again, the safety lever is connected on both sides of the rifle, with a lever either side for those who shoot left-handed.

When in the “Safe” position it sits neatly parallel to the stock out of the way, but when you flip it down to “Fire”, the blade of the lever is directly where your trigger finger is in the shooting position so you can feel that the rifle is “Live”. It’s a tried and tested configuration on many automatic weapons around the world.

SIDE-LEVER ACTION

The Blackwolf’s side-lever is nothing short of superb. It’s a really chunky biathlon-type lever that has been designed to be used with the rifle mounted for continuous shooting.

The lever itself has a very short stroke and requires absolutely no effort at all to cock. Even pushing the lever forward barely registers resistance, and that’s testament to the quality of design and nanometre tolerance of the pellet probe, which glides the pellet from the magazine into the breech a single, fluid motion.

The other great thing about this particular side-lever is that it can be changed from left to right in a matter of minutes by the user.

The single piece block that the action is built around features a built-in split Picatinny rail on top, which has 20 MOA of adjustment built into it – perfect for both sub-12ft/lb and FAC shooters.

As I have already alluded to, there are no less than 60 optional extras currently listed on Daystate’s website, including spring power tuning kits for HP models, a Biathlon cocking lever, M-LOK Picatinny rails, extra magazines, calibre changing kits, and a barrel tensioner to name just a few.

PRECISION PERFORMANCE

I won’t bore you with just how exceptionally good this rifle is in the field. It’s insanely accurate out to 30 metres, and just as accurate when you decide to push your limits out to 50-plus metres. The only thing that’s going to let you down at such distances is you.

The rifle is more than capable of hitting 5p-sized groups at 50-plus metres in sub-12ft/lb! It really is an absolute piece of manufacturing magnificence, and whether you’re a top-end competition shooter, a club ranger or hunter, this rifle truly does it all, with a style and performance that only Daystate can provide.