Daystate Blackwolf Zero review

The Daystate Blackwolf Zero is a streamlined evolution of the highly acclaimed TAC chassis platform, designed for shooters who demand precision, adaptability and performance. This particular model is aimed squarely at the target and benchrest market, but that being said it’s also a fantastic hunting tool as well. It answers the call from shooters who like the tactical look but are looking for a more affordable, customisable starting point for competition shooting.

What is the Daystate Blackwolf Zero designed for?

Built as a true blank canvas for personal modification, the Blackwolf Zero allows you to configure your rifle exactly how you want it. Whether you’re building a competition-ready benchrest setup or a personalised tactical rifle, the Blackwolf Zero provides the perfect foundation to start from, and with more than 60 optional extra accessories listed on the Daystate website, the world is your oyster. They don’t come more customisable than that.

There are numerous configurations of air reservoir available across the Blackwolf range, including 200cc and 300cc alloy cylinders, plus 300cc, 480cc and 580cc carbon bottles (Hi Lite). However, this new Zero model comes fitted with the 300cc cylinder as standard, which gives around 280 shots in .177 per fill.

How many shots per fill does the Daystate Blackwolf Zero provide?

Speaking of which, this cylinder utilises 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 those boffins over at Daystate HQ. I have absolutely no doubt at all 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 on the Blackwolf are extremely strong and the flush design means it cannot be knocked off. There’s also an easy to read fill gauge on the left-hand side of the rifle behind the cylinder.

Does the Daystate Blackwolf Zero have a Lothar Walther barrel?

There are numerous barrel lengths and types available for this platform. The base model that I’m testing here is fitted with a 23in Lothar Walther barrel, but there are also 17in 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 fully shrouded, and there is a 1/2in UNF thread at the end if you want to add a silencer. You can swap out barrels and calibres really quickly to suit different shooting scenarios. If I owned this platform I’d definitely have myself a .177 and .22 barrel for both target and hunting situations.

Is the Daystate Blackwolf Zero stock adjustable for gun fit?

Daystate has spent a lot of time ensuring that this stock design is optimal and fully adjustable for the perfect gun fit. 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 with the simple push of a button, as is the butt pad, which can also be adjusted for length of pull to obtain the perfect gun fit. On the underside of the fore grip there is an M-LOK arca rail fitting, which is where this rifle comes into its own in benchrest competition shooting. That said, you can easily mount a bipod underneath for conventional bench shooting if required. I really like the soft touch pistol grip here, too — it’s very comfortable indeed.

Daystate’s triggers are legendary, and this mechanical match-grade trigger unit is no exception. It’s highly adjustable, including 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. As you would expect there’s absolutely zero creep before the crisp release. It really is a joy to use. There’s the AR15-type safety lever immediately above and behind the trigger on the left-hand side. This can be swapped to the opposite side if required quite easily.

Is the Daystate Blackwolf Zero side-lever action reversible?

The Blackwolf Zero’s side-lever is honestly nothing short of superb. It’s a really chunky biathlon-type 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 minute tolerance of the pellet probe, which glides the pellet from the magazine into the breech a single, fluid motion. The other wonderful thing about this particular side-lever is that it can be changed from left to right in literally a matter of minutes by the user, making this a truly ambidextrous platform.

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

What accessories are available for the Daystate Blackwolf Zero?

As mentioned, there are more 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. I particularly like the PRS adjustable butt section, which I would think many folks who buy the bare rifle will opt for – it really is a masterpiece in quality design.

For those who like to tinker and tune their rifles there’s a power adjustment wheel at the back end of the action, which has 20 modes of adjustment from minimum to maximum. As you turn the wheel it moves the hammer spring adjuster backwards 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’ power output.

Does the Daystate Blackwolf Zero use a Huma-Air regulator?

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-12 ft/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 a lot quicker, opening and closing more quickly, speeding up the cycling time and improving overall efficiency.

How accurate is the Daystate Blackwolf Zero at long range?

As you would expect from any Daystate, this rifle is exceptionally accurate and consistent. It’s pellet on pellet out to 30 metres, and just as accurate when you decide to push your limits out to 50-plus metres with minimal spread. The rifle is more than capable of hitting 5p-sized groups at 50-plus metres in sub-12ft/lb.

If you love to tinker and customise your rifles to the max, then the Blackwolf Zero is the perfect starting point for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a top end competition shooter, a weekend club ranger or every night hunter, this rifle truly does it all, with a style and performance that only Daystate can provide. A wonderful rifle worthy of your attention.