Daystate Alpha Wolf Shadow review

Daystate is continually evolving the versions of its extremely popular Alpha and Delta Wolf rifles, and has just announced a new version for the former.

What I have here on test is the Alpha Wolf Shadow, and I think you’ll agree, it certainly looks the part from the word go.

The key difference between the original Alpha Wolf and this latest variation is that the new Shadow has been specifically designed for hunting and pest control.

A fantastic stock

This new model retains the ergonomically sculptured laminate stock, which has become synonymous with the Alpha Wolf range of rifles, but now features a Grey Shadow colouration.

I love how this stock feels, and its functionality speaks for itself. The fact that it has all the right holes in all the right places helps keep the weight down, and this particular rifle weighs in at just 7.4lb without scope.

It is packed full of features, including the latest Gecko adjustable butt pad, and there are more Picatinny rails than you can shake a stick at for you to customise your rifle even more.

What magazine does the Alpha Wolf Shadow use?

The Shadow also features Daystate’s V3 Optic Race Rail, which can easily be adjusted.

This is a Picatinny rail that attaches to the 11mm dovetail machined into the top of the action, and it features a 0.3 degree tilt to aid zeroing, especially with modern night-vision and thermal units.

It comes supplied with a BRK MF-121 Moderator, which makes it whisper quiet — perfect for any and all hunting scenarios.

When it comes to loading the magazine, it really doesn’t get much easier.

The Shadow utilises Daystate’s incredibly popular and efficient “flip top” magazines.

Simply lift the hinged metal cover up and drop your pellets in!

Last but not least, you get everything supplied in a compact and extremely tough Daystate hard case, and every rifle has a lifetime warranty, too.

SMART Advanced Velocity Technology

The key to the Alpha Wolf’s functionality is the SMART Advanced Velocity Technology (AVT) brain held within 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 colour LCD display moulded into the left side of the butt, and it features pre-set calibre-specific power levels.

Using the touchscreen display and onboard computer is very easy. To switch it all on you open the side-lever (don’t pull it all the way back and cock it), then switch the safety lever to safe. Now pull the trigger and hold it for three seconds and that unlocks the computer.

On the home screen you’ll see the power level, regulator bar pressure, and the feet per second chronograph readout.

Using your finger, swipe the screen left and you’ll hit the Power Settings menu. Tap the screen with your finger and it opens said menu and you can tinker away. It’s all very easy to operate, I must say.

The adjustable side-lever

The side-lever on this model is a chunky biathlon-type lever that has been designed to be used with the rifle mounted in your shoulder 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.

This side-lever can also be changed from left to right in a matter of minutes by the user. The cheek riser is adjustable too, sitting on a dovetail rail so it can slide 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.

The Huma regulator

A rifle of this quality requires the very best regulator, and just like its other PCP rifles, Daystate has installed a world-class Huma regulator.

Daystate has also upgraded the valve system, with a fast flow valve that improves both shot count and efficiency from the smaller 300cc carbon air reservoir.

Daystate has fitted the Shadow with this small bottle to help keep the weight down and make it more hunter friendly, whilst still providing up to 350 regulated shots per fill – enough for a night’s ratting.

The carbon bottle 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.

Yet another clever piece of engineering from the boffins at Daystate HQ. Unlike some other magnetic fill port covers, this one is going to stay put — the magnets used are strong.

What trigger is used on the Alpha Wolf Shadow?

As you would expect, Daystate has incorporated its tried and trusted 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. Speaking of which, I like how wide and gently curved this trigger blade is, it sits really comfortably on the pad of your trigger finger.

There’s an AR15-type safety lever fitted, 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 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 familiar configuration on many automatic weapons around the world these days.

Software updates using the Daystate Data Transfer Device

Daystate is constantly improving its software, and this particular model features new programming inside, which you are able to upgrade at the press of a button as and when upgrades become available.

These upgrades are delivered via the Daystate Data Transfer Device (DTD), which costs around £120. This unit 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.

While safeguards ensure output remains within the 12ft/lb 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 to create user tables, input settings from other Alpha 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, 8ft/lb, 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.

The perfect rifle for rat shooting

As you would expect this rifle is insanely accurate and a joy to shoot. On the club range I was putting pellet-on-pellet at 30 metres, and even pushing out to 40 metres was giving 5p-sized groups. I know “electronic” rifles aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but there is nothing to be scared of.

The colour screen touchpad is so easy to use, and once you have spent 10 minutes getting to know all the features you simply won’t forget them.

It’s clear to see what Daystate has done to the original Alpha Wolf platform in order to create the perfect hunting rifle, from the reduction in bottle size to 300cc carbon to the extremely effective BRK MF-121 moderator, everything screams compact, silent hunter!

I’m looking forward to taking this one out on a rat shoot — it’s the perfect tool for the job.

Technical specifications for the Daystate Alpha Wolf Shadow

Model: Alpha Wolf Shadow
Make: Daystate
Type: Pre-charged, multi-shot, electronic
Bottle capacity: 300cc
Max fill pressure: 240 bar
Stock: Ambidextrous laminate
Cocking: Side-lever, reversible
Trigger: Electronic, adjustable
Calibre: .177 and .22 (.25 and .30 FAC)
Safety: Manual, electronic isolation lever
Overall length: 731mm (28.8in)
Barrel length: 430mm (17in)
Magazine capacity: 13 (.177) and 11 (.22)
Weight: 7.4lbs (3.35kg)
Shot count: Up to 350 on .177 and .22
Muzzle energy: 11.5 ft/lb 6fps variation over 10 shots
RRP: From £2,075
Website: daystate.com