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What – the Daystate Wolverine again? Haven’t we just

featured that to death? Well, no, actually, we haven’t. I revealed the new Wolverine B-Type in last year’s October issue, backed by a follow-up test the following month. Apart from a feature on the very first Wolverine, the high-power, big bore 303 model, that’s been it from Airgun World, but it does seem as if the Wolverine has been with us month in, month out. Maybe it’s me. Perhaps my work as a Wolverine field tester has overdosed me on the rifle, but whatever it is, I’ve got me the latest one, and I’m ready to go again.

C-ChangesThe slightest glance shows you that there are at least three major changes going on with this version

of the Wolverine. First, your eye will be drawn to that synthetic black fore end section that makes for a grippy, eyeball-friendly transition from the stock to the air reservoir. Then, you’ll become pleasantly aware of the reservoir

itself, which is a 200cc, 40mm diameter tube that looks infinitely better than a buddy bottle. Should you require more than the 140-plus sub-12 ft.lbs. shots each 200-bar charge will provide in .177 (150-plus in .22), you can request an extended, 300cc tube on special order, and Daystate will supply one for the same price as

the standard unit. This extension delivers around 100 more shots in .22 and for you high-power, FAC types I can see the value, but at legal limit levels I think it’s one style penalty too many. Yes, I said ‘style’, because I think this C-Type

looks the absolute nuts. More of that later.

The final change in this rifle’s triumvirate of new things, is the stock. Where the first run of Wolverine stocks owed a huge debt to the woodwork of the Air Ranger, this one harks more to the Wolverine 303. I prefer this latest one, but should you yearn for the

former stock design, there will be some left in the shops so get in a bit sharpish and you won’t be disappointed.

The eye of The ‘B-holderOverall, as far as aesthetic appeal goes, I consider this particular subspecies of Wolverine to be the best of the breed, and that includes the original 303. Of course, my personal assessment of this rifle is mine, and mine alone, but that won’t stop a few serial miserablists spluttering into their virtual Horlicks that I’d dare enjoy the look of the C–type. I read all manner of indignant reaction to the first photo of the rifle that appeared on the internet, but then that sort of nonsense happens to pretty much every airgun that makes an online debut. It’s

MUCH MORE TO C!The editor gets an exclusive on Daystate’s latest Wolverine variation

‘I consider this particular subspecies of the Wolverine to be

the best of the breed’

»

Looks great ... shoots even better.

ed’s test: WOLVeRINe C-tYPeed’s test

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ed’s test: WOLVeRINe C-tYPe

amazing what some will ‘know’ from a single, often not-very-good, photo, but even more so is the apparent desire some odd folk have to put down any and all moves to do something a little differently.

Anyway, I reckon the C-Type is a prettier proposition than the B-type, and I love the mix of walnut and synthetic. There, I’ve said it again.

refleCTing on The reflexThe silencer that came fitted to the test rifle is the Airstream Mk6 XL, which as its name suggests is longer than the standard version. The Airstream is a ‘reflex’ design, which means that it slips over the shroud and attaches via an

internal thread, after the rifle’s muzzle cap has been removed. I’m seriously considering adding a Wolverine C-Type to my personal armoury, and I’m torn between the XL and the standard item. Such is the torment of the modern airgun-fancier.

Magazine upgradeMeanwhile, it’s always amazed me that something as small as a multi-shot pellet magazine can be the ultimate destination for an absolute ton of research, development, tweaks and tune-ups. That compact carriage used by Daystate is exactly such a device, though, and the huge news is, it’s had another tiny upgrade. Most punters won’t notice this one, and it’s only been

installed as a tiny bit of foolproofing, but for those of us with sausages for fingers, it will prove its worth without us knowing.

All it is, is a new bearing which gives a greater degree of ‘float’ between the pellet-carrying internal wheel and the front face of the magazine casement. So, should pellets be pushed in a tad too far, their noses won’t rub on the end wall of the magazine body and cause drag. Should the final three pellets be loaded in such a cavalier fashion, the build-up of friction inside the mag’ could impair rotation just when the internal drive-spring tension is at its lowest, see? An extra bit of clearance gives the pellets’ noses room to breathe, and all revolves perfectly. It’s yet another of those little things that can mean a lot.

Like all Wolverines, the C-Type can’t be double-loaded, due to the action not indexing the magazine until the rifle has been fired. Also, if the bolt is open, or even if the bolt handle is lifted, the Wolverine won’t fire. Safe, sensible, and extremely handy. Well done, Daystate.

More opTionsBefore I get stuck into the shooting phase of this test, I’ll explore a final couple of options, because I think they could be useful. First, there’s the bi-pod shown in the photos, which at just £29 should be worth anyone’s consideration. This neat set of mini-legs clamps in seconds to the Weaver-style rail which is moulded into the underside of the synthetic fore end section. .

Daystate took great care in selecting that bi-pod option, by going for the lightest, least obtrusive device they could find at the quality required. I’m a recent bi-pod convert, and while the range of leg-extension is just a one-step 20mm or so, the unit itself is proving useful and I’ll be having one if I decide on a

ed’s test: WOLVeRINe C-tYPe

before I’m ready to shoot once more. It’s much more fun for me and it returns a far more realistic report on what the test subject is likely to do when you actually use it, rather than test it in a pointless manner.

on The ChronoDaystate told me I’d get at least 140 shots from the .177 test rifle, and they were right. They’d also understated matters by at least 20 shots, but I think the company was being cautious. I’ve had Daystates with ‘190 bar’ as their stated optimum fill pressure, and this could result in a slightly lower overall shot count, so that lower count is the one quoted to avoid potential grief.

Anyway, the last time I

C-Type. Option

two is a set of sling swivels for £19, and while I’m not an habitual sling user, I’d have the rear swivel fitted, leaving the front one to be attached to the Weaver rail. I know several hunters who wouldn’t dream of stepping into the field without a sling on their rifle, but that’s not my style. I only use a sling if I’m likely to walk any distance, but they’re always handy to have.

leT’s go shooTingWith a new air storage unit and an alternative fore end configuration, I reckon that calls for a whole new set of accuracy and performance stats. Truth to tell, we all know that these figures won’t vary that much from the ones I produced at the back end of last year when I tested the production Wolverine B-type, but each model deserves its own test, so that’s what this one will get.

First job, let’s get the C-Type charged and ready to go. As with all Daystates, this one is set up and tested individually and came with its preferred charging pressure set in a small decal at

documented a Wolverine’s output, it clocked a 14 f.p.s. variation over 200 shots. That was a B-Type with a 400cc buddy bottle on it, so I wasn’t surprised to see a slightly higher variation from the C-Type’s 200cc powerplant. An average variation of just 11 f.p.s. over the first 50 shots was extremely impressive, though, and while this was

the left-rear of the action block. The decal told me that 200 bar was perfect pressure, so that’s where I began.

As previously described, beyond the point of tedium, I no longer test a rifle by shooting my way through a whole charge of air, because nobody ever uses their rifle that way in the real world. What we do is charge our rifles, fire a couple of shots to check zero, then either go hunting, training, or target shooting. At no time do we systematically blip out shot after shot, non-stop, until the reservoir’s empty.

So, I test to best imitate the way our rifles are actually used, and this means starting with a few ‘clearing’ shots, checking in at the chrono’, then diverting to the target range for a bit of stop-start sniping, then back to the chronograph check the velocity

»

‘The C-Type is a prettier proposition than the B-Type and I love the mix of walnut and synthetic - there, I’ve said

it again’

COMPULSORY RESEARCH!

At the Daystate Wolverine level of considered purchase, you

absolutely HAVE to do all you can to handle, and preferably shoot, one before deciding whether to

buy it. You owe that to yourself, OK?

I think most shooters will love the new stock design.

A fine trigger.

The synthetic fore end section works on every level.

The bolt-safety system is a genuine move forward.

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produced using my stash of prepared pellets, it’s still about as good as it gets, and practically perfect for the hunting field. When pushed to 100 shots, the overall variation shifted to 16 f.p.s., but again, there won’t be a target missed, and dozens hit bang-on, thanks to such excellent shot-production.

aCCuraCyI’ve been shooting versions of this rifle for over six months now, and I’ve had an Air Ranger for years, so I know better than most what this new platform can do. This particular Wolverine can hit 15mm spinners at 50 yards, and stamp out 18mm diameter groups at the same range. I did some truly noteworthy groups at 40 yards, using the optional bi-pod, with the rifle further stabilised on a beanbag. Clinical, almost surgical, stuff, where I could usually pick a pellet-hole and hit it – or very near offer. Such times don’t happen anywhere near often enough, but when they do, we

remember them.

overall verdiCTThe Wolverine C-Type, with this particular stock and reservoir, is my new favourite Daystate. I love the ‘lighter and faster than it should be’ handling, and especially the fact that the rifle is mechanically prevented from being double-loaded, or fired with the bolt open. The trigger is excellent, too, and apart from my perennial gripe about the lack of

an adjustable butt pad – which I’ll address if I add

this rifle to

my armoury – the Wolverine C-Type is just about everything I like in a full-on hunting rifle. It looks great, too, and the standard of workmanship is as commendable as the performance.

Finally, if you’re interested in this rifle, don’t take my word on it, and certainly don’t be influenced by anyone who hasn’t actually used one. Instead, make it your business to handle, and preferably shoot, the Daystate Wolverine C-Type, and let the rifle tell you what it’s really like. I’ll be absolutely amazed if you’re not every bit as impressed as I am. n

Wolverine C-TypeManufacturer: Daystate

Country of origin: UK

Price: £1142

Type: Pre-charged, multi-shot hunting rifle

Calibre: .177, .22

Cocking: Bolt-action

Loading: Via removable rotary, 10-shot magazine

Trigger: 2-stage, adjustable unit

Stock type: Walnut, thumbhole, ambidextrous sporter

Weight: 3.4 kg (7.6lbs) unscoped

Length: 1067mm (42ins) With optional standard Airstream Mk6 silencer

Barrel: 432mm (17ins)

Fill pressure: Varies. 200-bar for test rifle

Shots per charge: 140-plus in .177, 150-plus in .22

Average variation over 50 shots: 11 fps for rifle on test, 16 f.p.s. over 100 shots

Average energy: 11.5 ft.lbs.

Best group at 50 yards: 17mm diameter

Average group at 40 yards: 12mm

Favoured pellet of test rifle: Daystate Sovereign

Options: 300cc bottle, FAC-rated action, bi-pod £29, sling swivel set £19. Airstream Mk6 silencers £63.

Contact: Daystate 01782 791755

sPECIFICATION

ed’s test: WOLVeRINe C-tYPe

Whichever way you look at it, the C-Type is a winner.

The Wolverine C-Type in its element.