Back in the October 2021 issue I got to grips with the legendary Delta Wolf from Daystate, and now I’m presented with their new sportier bullpup design in the form of the Alpha Wolf. The big difference between the two rifles, apart from the obvious red laminate stock, is that the new Alpha Wolf is programmable for sub 12 ft.lbs. users!
New stock and rail
The Alpha Wolf boasts a newly-designed red laminate stock, akin in appearance to that of the original Red Wolf – it’s a real head-turner! However, this new stock features an extended forend lip, as opposed to that of the Delta Wolf, which means that you’re not forced to hold onto the bottle or just a Picatinny rail. Speaking of which, the Alpha still comes supplied with three forend Picatinny rails. One underneath on the new extended grip for a bipod, and one either side of the foregrip for any other add ons such as LED lamps, red dots etc. The new look Picatinny optic rail also has an anti-cant bubble built in.
If you currently own a Delta Wolf, there is an Alpha Wolf conversion kit available, which includes the red laminate stock plus all the Picatinny rails and bolts you need to convert the Delta to an Alpha, along with the DTD adaptor to install the latest Alpha Wolf software. It costs £500 and available directly from Daystate.
Electronic heart
The key to the Alpha Wolf’s functionality is the Advanced Velocity Technology (AVT) brain held withing the butt of the stock. That’s where all the magic happens, thanks to yet more circuitry and sensors around the body of the rifle. The AVT brain is controlled via a small LCD display moulded into the butt, and it features pre-set calibre-specific power levels, which are also linked to an integral chronograph. Every single shot you take is monitored and recorded, with the data available at the touch of the screen. You can see exactly how the pellets you’re using are performing, with instant data available after every shot giving you the speed in fps.
Software Update
There’s a great new software update available on Daystate’s website for both the Alpha and Delta Wolf, which is delivered via the Daystate Data Transfer Device (DTD) that connects the rifle directly to a Windows device to access an advanced range of performance enhancing adjustments, beyond those available via the rifle touchscreen alone.
The update is free to existing DTD owners. Those without a DTD can either purchase one with the new update pre-loaded from the Daystate website for £120 or check if the dealer they bought their Alpha Wolf or Delta Wolf from can apply the update and whether a charge will apply.
Whilst safeguards ensure output remains within the 12 ft.lbs. limit, the update opens up many of the power adjustments that had previously been available to owners of high-power models. These include the ability create user tables, input settings from other Alpha Wolf and Delta Wolf owners and revert to factory original and earlier custom settings. You can use this update to drop the power output of the Alpha Wolf, to say 8 ft.lbs., which can be very handy if you’re shooting rats or feral pigeons in a barn or cow shed.
If you want to get really technical in setting up specific profiles, you can even adjust the hammer pulse length. I’m not going to get into the world of possibilities as far as tuning is concerned. For most of us we won’t need it, but I’m sure there will be a few of you reading this that can’t wait to get tinkering!
HUMA Regulated
A rifle of this quality requires the very best regulator, and just like their other PCP rifles, Daystate has installed a HUMA.
Just like the Delta Wolf, Daystate has also upgraded the valve system, with a fast flow valve that improves both shot count and efficiency from the 480cc carbon air reservoir.
Sidelever action
The Alpha’s sidelever has a very short stroke and requires absolutely no effort at all to cock the rifle. 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 mag’ into the breech a single, fluid motion.
The other great thing about this particular sidelever is that it can be changed from left to right in a matter of minutes by the user, so all you ‘lefties’ out there can buy a Delta Wolf with confidence. The cheek riser is adjustable too, sitting on a dovetail rail so it can be slid forwards or backwards for the perfect fit. This truly is an ambidextrous rifle, straight out of the box – no need for visits to your local gunsmith to change stuff about.
Talking of changing bits around, you can also swap the barrel and pellet probe in an instant, even out in the field if you so desire, and in doing so you simply tap into the onboard computer to select the pre-programmed power and barrel configuration and the Alpha Wolf’s computer does everything else for you. Swap from .22 to .177 safe in the knowledge that you’re still legal – all in a matter of minutes.
Multi-shot mags
Daystate’s self-indexing mag’s are superb, and the Alpha Wolf has been designed in such a way that loading port can accommodate two mag’s at the same time, in order to effectively double the shot count. Each mag’ features a powerful magnet on one side of the base, with a metal disk on the other.
When the first mag’ is inserted it automatically locks in place with a satisfying ‘click. If you then go round to the opposite side of the rifle you can push another mag’ into the loading port which ‘locks’ onto the already-loaded mag’, thanks to the magnets latching onto the opposite mag’s metal disks. It’s all very clever stuff. You shoot your 11 shots (.22), from the loaded mag’, then cock the rifle and push the new mag into place, which in turn pushes the empty mag out of the way, whilst still holding onto it via the magnets, and you’re good to go for another 11 shots. This means you can rattle off 22 shots in .22 and 26 shots in .177 before you have to reload (the .177 mag’ holds 13 shots).
Filling up
The carbon air cylinder sits directly underneath the barrel and can be filled to 240 bar. It utilises Daystate’s quick-fill probe, and the fill port is cleverly housed underneath a magnetic shroud immediately in front of the trigger guard. This magnetic cover sits flush with the base of the stock and is like a ‘secret’ compartment – unless you know it’s there, you’d struggle to work out where the fill port is. Yet another clever piece of engineering from the boffins at Daystate HQ. And, unlike some other magnetic fill port covers, 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 whilst hunting – the magnets used are extremely strong and the flush design means it cannot be knocked off by a twig or a misplaced rest against a tree.
Trigger and safety
It goes without saying that Daystate has incorporated their electronic trigger unit into this rifle, which is adjustable for both weight of pull and stage length. You can also alter the blade position for the ultimate fit.
Then there’s the AR15-type safety lever, which is basically an electronic isolation switch. When set to the ‘Safe’ position the circuit is broken so the trigger won’t work, whereas when it’s moved to the ‘Fire’ position the circuit is reconnected and everything is ‘live’. Again, the safety lever is connected on both side of the rifle, with a lever either side for those who shoot left-handed.
Going back a few months to my only criticism of the mighty Delta Wolf - the position of safety lever. When in the ‘Safe’ position it sat neatly parallel to the stock out of the way, but when you flipped it down to ‘Fire’, the blade of the lever was directly where your trigger finger was. Daystate has addressed this and the new Alpha Wolf lever is shorter on one side to eliminate the problem.
Testing time!
I actually borrowed this test rifle from the guys at Range & Country Shooting Supplies, who also run the club that I am a member of. They let me have it for a whole week, and I spent my time flitting between the range and my back garden to really get a feel for the rifle. If the truth be told I couldn’t get enough of it, and I was out at all hours of the day and night shooting this rifle – I couldn’t put it down.
I’d love to have one for a little longer in order to take it out into the field hunting, but I don’t need to do that to know just how effective it will be. Amazing consistency with just a 6fps variation across two sets of 20-shot strings tell me that this rifle will excel in the field.
As a hunter, I absolutely love the sleek, lightweight design and little tweaks that the R&D guys at Daystate have implemented to the stock design. It’s so compact and easy to wield in tight spaces, and the ease of cocking coupled with the electronic trigger unit makes it a formidable rifle. Not only does it look the business, it’s a top performer, too.
If I had the money, I’d own one myself – I guess I’d better start saving!
TECH SPECS
Model: Alpha Wolf
Manufacturer: Daystate
Type: Pre-charged, multi-shot, electronic
Cylinder Capacity: 480cc
Max Fill Pressure: 240 bar
Stock Material: Red laminate
Stock Type: Ambidextrous
Cocking: Sidelever, reversible
Trigger: Electronic, adjustable
Calibres: .177 and .22 (.25 and .30 FAC)
Safety: Manual, electronic isolation lever
Overall Length: 722mm (28.4in)
Barrel Length: 430mm (17in)
Magazine Capacity: 13 (.177) and 11 (.22)
Weight: 7.4lbs (3.35kg)
Shot Capacity: 450+ .22, 400+ .177
Variation (10 shots): 6fps
Average Energy: 11.4 ft.lbs.
Website: www.daystate.com
PRICE: £2,300 (on test), from £2,500 FAC