Daystate set a new standard for airgun technology with the launch of its electronically tuneable Alpha Wolf PCP. The latest Smart model still boasts the same technological wizardry, but its operation has been simplified. The upshot of that is that this variant is quicker and easier to use – and that should really appeal to shooters who, like me, would rather be shooting than tinkering. The simplification also means that the Alpha Wolf Smart costs a bit less. It’s current recommended retail prices start at £1,975 for sub 12 ft/lb models.
One of the key differences is that the Smart model doesn’t have an integral chronograph in its barrel shroud. However, because of Daystate’s clever modular system, that can be added at any time, should you wish. Another difference, which I really like, is that power adjustment is simpler on FAC versions – on the Smart it’s just a matter of going up and down in percentages, the same as on the sub-12 version of the full-spec Alpha Wolf.
In terms of its proportions, the Alpha Wolf Smart is a compact bullpup. The high-power model featured here has a 600mm barrel, is 84cm long and weighs 3.9kg. The sub-12 model with 430mm barrel is just 72 cm long – there is also a high-power slug shooting version with 710mm barrel. Even in its longer guises, this airgun handles very nicely, and I really like the way that its bullpup configuration keeps its weight close to your body.
The stock on the Alpha Wolf Smart is an eye-catching red and grey laminate. It’s certainly going to turn heads on the range and, although it might look rather bright for hunting, I have to wonder just how significant that really is when you consider that most of our quarry sees in black and white.
There are some nice little touches on the ambidextrous stock, and one of those is a Picatinny accessory rail under the sweeping forend. It also incorporates a thoughtfully sculpted pistol grip with some grippy stippling on either side and a large thumbhole cutaway behind it. There is also another picatinny rail on the underside of the butt section – a handy addition for bench shooters who want to add support for ultimate long-range precision. The Alpha Wolf Smart has huge potential for customisation and you’ll find lots of accessories on the Daystate website. That said, the standard butt pad is height adjustable.
Lefthanded shooters will be pleased to hear that the cheek support can be swapped over to the opposite side. It can also be adjusted forwards and backwards along the 45mm rail that runs along the top of the gun. The Picatinny scope rail sits on that same long rail and can also slide back and forth when its locking screws are loosened. This clever system means you are ensured correct eye relief whatever type of optic you choose to use. On top of that, it even incorporates a level so you can check with a quick glance to make sure you aren’t compromising accuracy by canting the gun.
The front section of the barrel is housed in a chunky carbon fibre shroud. While this shroud does provide some sound suppression, it is also threaded for silencer attachment – and that will prove very useful if you want to keep high power versions quiet. The Alpha Wolf Smart’s excellent barrel is the result of a lot of research and experimentation by Daystate’s research team. Apart from being very accurate, it also incorporates a quick barrel change system, enabling you to rapidly switch between different barrel lengths and calibres.
This airgun runs Daystate’s brilliant gate-fronted magazine, which holds 13 shots in .177 calibre and 11 in .22 - .25 (10 shot) and .30 (8 shot) calibre options are also available in high power models.
Fast cocking and loading comes courtesy of a slick sidelever mechanism. The lever is well positioned just above the pistol grip. It features a big biathlon type dropdown handle and, like the cheek support, can be reversed for lefthanders. I have several guns that feature this cocking and loading system – they get very heavy use and I have never had a problem with any of them. It’s fast and smooth and just gets the job done.
One of the star features on electronic Daystates is the trigger – and you have the benefit of that electronic shot release on the Alpha Wolf Smart. The blade is a match-type design which can be adjusted for length of pull, height and angle. You can also adjust the length and weight of the two-stage release. I like to test triggers straight out of the box, and on this one the first stage length and weight felt just about perfect and concluded in a clear stop. Second stage break was clean and very predictable. In fact, this trigger mechanism comes as close as you can get to subconscious shot release – it is almost as if you think the shot away.
There is a very positive switch type safety catch, conveniently positioned just above and behind the trigger. It’s safe when it’s in the horizontal positional and you simply flip it down when you’re ready to take the shot. The sidelever’s dropdown handle is very close to the switch but doesn’t hinder its operation.
Maximum fill pressure is 240 bar. How many shots you get from that will depend on calibre, barrel length and power output, but you can expect more than 500 from a sub-12 model in .22 calibre. Pressure in the 480cc carbon tank is displayed on the gauge on the side of the stock. When it’s time to refill, simply couple up the supplied Foster connector to the inlet in the underside of the stock. Battery charging is even simpler – it’s just a matter of plugging a USB lead into the port at the rear of the thumbhole cutaway.
I was sent a high power FAC-rated model for this test, and it was running at a mighty 70ft lb. The Alpha Wolf Smart has a Huma regulator which makes for very consistent performance and, even at this high output, consistency was within 8 feet per second over a ten-shot string. It also felt silky smooth to shoot, which isn’t always the case when you crank up the power to that kind of level.
Regulator pressure can easily be adjusted on high power models – just remember to screw off the bottle and dry fire the gun until it’s empty if you’re turning it down. Adjustment is done via the dial by the neck of the bottle. Regulator pressure is displayed on the Alpha Wolf Smart’s touch screen; the interface you use to operate its electronic controls. This includes changes to the display, magazine shot count, user shot settings and the all-important power output. The Smart model sees power adjustment simplified to 5 percent increments – even on high-power models – and it makes for very quick and easy operation.
Detailed information on operating the Alpha Wolf Smart is provided in manuals that can be found on the Daystate website. The key thing is that, even in its simplified state, this is a highly advanced airgun that benefits from its firing cycle being controlled by a sophisticated electronic brain. Add a brilliant barrel, a great trigger and all its other pioneering features, and the fact that it is remarkably accurate shouldn’t come as any great surprise. The test gun was landing pellets on top of each other at 30m, was capable of single-hole groups at 50m and was still shooting very tight groups at 60m. The truth is that, even from a bench, it outperformed me.
To sum up, I have had a great time shooting the Daystate Alpha Wolf Smart – an airgun which I think would lend itself brilliantly to hunting or long-range target shooting. It is hard to believe that such a sophisticated airgun can be so easy to use. This might be a more basic option than the original model, but it is still right at the front of the pack when it comes to airgun innovation and can soon be upgraded to full specification should you wish to. This supergun really does offer the best of both worlds.
From: https://daystate.com/
Manufacturer: Daystate, England
Model: Alpha Wolf Smart (High Power 600mm barrel)
Length: 840mm (33in)
Weight: 3.9kg (8.6lb)
Features: Electronic trigger and power adjustment, Huma regulator, quick-change barrel, adjustable butt, scope rail and cheek support.
RRP: From £1,975
