AIR RIFLE REVIEW: BARK AND BITE

Created on 18th May 2009

The new Daystate MVT model: technological masterpiece or wolf in sheep's clothing? MARK CAMOCCIO investigates

SINCE TONY Belas took over as sales manager of Daystate several years ago the business has leapt into overdrive. Having pioneered the modern PCP resurgence in the late 1970s Daystate gained a reputation as being somewhat unsophisticated, despite its products being highly effective. How times change. Now barely a month goes by without some further innovation from the Staffordshire-based outfit making the airgun news. With hugely talented individuals like David Snook and Steve Harper on the design team, it's little wonder that Daystate's product range has become seriously technically advanced. For the technophobes among us Daystate still makes conventional mechanical models. However, if you know a Blackberry from an Apple then the Airwolf MVT may be just what you've been waiting for.

The Airwolf MVT was sent to me for evaluation and feedback and Tony Belas was keen to point out that this particular rifle is a prototype. Before the model goes into production any potentially problematic areas will have been revised. The physical layout is similar to its predecessor, the popular Airwolf model, and boasts a bull barrel effect made, since the 17" barrel sits within a large shroud, over 20mm thick and around 19" long.

This rifle certainly has presence, and with a stunning Gary Cane-designed walnut thumbhole stock perfectly complementing the ultra hi-tech action, this is one serious piece of kit for the connoisseur. Let's face it: at around £1,250 it ought to be. Cane's work certainly stands out. The graceful thumbhole design here is clever and stylish, being both supremely functional yet totally ambidextrous. The twin scalloped thumb shelves are particularly appealing with the company logo etched into the wood. My only concern would be the rather thin linking ‘bones' between the pistol-grip and cheekpiece, although presumably this apparent fragility has stood the test of time with the original Airwolf.

As mentioned this rifle is based upon the Airwolf model. For those unfamiliar with the spec the rifle is a PCP, getting its power from a 400cc buddy bottle screwed into the forend. Electronics control air delivery via the CDT system, and an electronic match trigger adds icing to the rather impressive cake. Where this prototype seriously departs from the standard Airwolf lies in the MVT suffix. ‘Mapped Velocity Technology' is an amazing development which takes the form of a small LED display fixed to the left hand side of the breech block.

Daystate has also used this technology in a brand-new dedicated FT model, which should also be on sale shortly. The prototype under scrutiny here is aimed at the Hunter Field Target fraternity, which demands top class accuracy. Any tool up to the rigours of this growing sport can take hunting in its stride - which is not always the case in reverse. The MVT specification sees the rifle fitted with a built-in chronograph, with sensors fixed around the muzzle. As the action is fired the velocity is instantly displayed on the side panel as well as a host of other information. Clever stuff - but there's more. Daystate has developed a system that actually compensates for the power output, to deliver energy as near to a set figure as possible. In practice this means that each shot adjusts by half the difference in fps between the last shot fired and the pre-set velocity figure.

Velocity will be factory-limited and tamperproof to prevent illegal energy figures (unlike this prototype), but set by the individual owner to suit his/her own needs. Using the safety catch as a switch, programmable settings can be cycled through by pressing the trigger simultaneously, all showing data on the display as that particular feature is reached. The test rifle was pre-programmed to show the following:

1. Magazine count reset (the rifle counts the number of shots, and can bleep when the mag is empty)
2. Reset shot count (the rifle can tally the total number of shots fired)
3. Display pressure (cylinder bar pressure can be displayed on the LED if desired)
4. Velocity setting
5. LED on/off
6. Mag count on/off
7. Single shot mode on/off
8. Reset defaults
Although these features may vary slightly on production models, the principle will remain the same.

With regards to setting the velocity, once a particular programme has been entered (via the trigger switch) the figure starts at 400fps and can then be increased by pulling the trigger. A quick pull increases the figure 1fps at a time, and holding the trigger causes the figures to flash through at a faster rate in much the same way that most digital products perform. Factory models will probably be limited to around 780fps, although this is yet to be finalised. Earlier Airwolf models required the buddy bottle to be unscrewed to allow for re-charging. Due to the aggravation this caused, a quick-fill valve now comes as standard and can be accessed on the underside of the stock. Neat black metal caps keep grit (the bane of any pre-charge system) away from the workings and the design now means that the rifle can be charged with the bottle in situ. As mentioned, once this model goes into production a number of areas will be re-developed and improved and the pressure sensor is one such example. On the left hand side of the action just forward of the breech block a small round protrusion can be seen. With wires on show and a less than perfect finish, this ugly add-on is totally unacceptable on such a prestigious and costly rifle - but fear not. Mr Belas has this earmarked for a makeover, and I'm assured that the final version will have a smaller, less conspicuous body capped with a black shroud. Another main area to be revised is the LED display housing itself. Although I can't see anything wrong with it (bar the fact that it introduces plastic to an otherwise classy rifle) the designers reckon the angle is wrong and a sleeker casing will follow.

However, the electronics of this rifle come at a price (albeit slight). At some stage the on-board battery will need charging. Worth mentioning, but certainly not worth fretting over since the power packs are good for a minimum of 1,000 charge cycles, and 5,000 shots at legal limit velocities between charges. A charging transformer comes with the gun so everything needed is included. The classic Daystate safety feature is also present: at the turn of said key this turns the whole system off, rendering the rifle completely dead and safe. Daystate's 10-shot magazine is supplied with this MVT model, alongside the rather neat metal single-shot tray. The tray pushes into place and locates with the aid of two magnets.

If multi-shot is preferred the magazine can be filled by rotating the drum and dropping pellets into each chamber. Drawing the chunky bolt back allows for the mag to be pushed into place (also aided by magnets) pulling it neatly home. Cycling the action requires the bolt to be pulled back to index the magazine and then pushed forward, successfully loading a pellet into the barrel. As with many magazine systems a deliberate cocking stroke is advisable to smooth the operation, but Daystate's magazine format is well-proven. Fill pressures vary quite widely where PCPs are concerned, but Daystate recommends using a 232 bar for the Airwolf MVT. My chronograph testing became something of a monotonous affair, with the huge shot count reaching 400 before I lost interest. With a residual pressure at this stage of 109bar, it's clear that the Airwolf MVT has more than enough for even the most ardent enthusiast. I was intrigued as to the accuracy of the on-board chrony, but suffice to say that it varied by 2fps from my own test machine. The model's consistency was also impressive (full results listed on p24) and it's an uncanny experience to see the velocities appear in the LED display as each shot is taken.

Firing the rifle is a very civilised affair, and with a slick electronic match trigger to trip the action accuracy was fairly effortless. Groups of better than 1/3" were the norm at 35yd. With an incredibly gentle nudge in the shoulder experienced as the rifle fires, the sensation, in keeping with other electronic Daystates, is quite unique to the marque.

With Daystate's formidable record in top-flight HFT events, the launch of the MVT model can only serve to strengthen its position within the sport. Although I'd need a cover for the buddy bottle (to add comfort to an extended hold), I appreciate that many enthusiasts have no such qualms; hence the popularity of this style of rifle. It may not be cheap, but the MVT system is a fantastic achievement from this highly innovative company's design team. While it's too early to comment on reliability, if cutting edge technology does it for you the Airwolf MVT could well be the way to go.

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