Daystate Renegade first impressions

[hawkeye69]

Got the .22 Renegade yesterday and I've had a chance to do some target shooting today. Very accurate, at least at the 25+ yard mark (limit of my yard). A bit noisier than I expected for a shrouded barrel but I suspect it's mainly that my ear is so close to the hammer, it's more like a loud ping sound. I may get a moderator later if I need to, although it won't fit into the case if mounted on the barrel. No big deal, the case has an empty space to fit it.

The rear lever action takes some getting used to, I find it easiest to leave my right hand by the trigger and reach over with my left hand to cock for the next shot. The balance without a scope is toward the butt end, but with the scope mounted it's pretty neutral. Like the Wildcat, it feels top heavy especially with a large scope on top, but again no big deal. It shoots both the JSB 15.89 and the H&N 21.14 Barracuda Match like a laser (the limit of my testing thus far).

My only real complaint is the safety. Right handed like I am, when I carrying the gun I keep my finger off of and above the trigger, which is right over the safety button. Thus it's very easy to accidentally move it from the safe to the fire position. Left handed users wouldn't have that issue.

 

[Centercut]

Yes, its a fine, accurate gun - but heavy (my only "nit" on this gun)... Thanks for the input. I have used a DonnyFL Sumo on mine, and just recently a DonnyFL Tatsu. Both are very quiet. I use a .25 cal., not a .22 on mine to reduce the chance of clipping and also to reduce the air turbulence effect as the pellet passes through the moderator. Pretty much no difference in sound, since I have tried it with a .22 Sumo. Mine favors 18.1 grain JSB Heavies at 865 fps. I do this since with a Huma regulator, the velocity is adjustable. Very hard to do without a regulator since there is no HST adjustment like on an FX. Mine is accurate out to 90 yards, haven't taken any ground squirrel head shots past that range. The gun is accurate enough to shoot 25M Benchrest. In fact, my first card last month (before it got windy) was 246-9x. That was with the 18.1 JSBs and the Tatsu moderator. Grouping at 50 yards is very good, but haven't done any with a bag or rest, only my attached bipod. Routinely get around 3/4". I'm sure if I took my time with a bag or rest it would close up to 1/2" easy. 

 

[hawkeye69]

"Centercut"Yes, its a fine, accurate gun - but heavy (my only "nit" on this gun)... Thanks for the input. I have used a DonnyFL Sumo on mine, and just recently a DonnyFL Tatsu. Both are very quiet. I use a .25 cal., not a .22 on mine to reduce the chance of clipping and also to reduce the air turbulence effect as the pellet passes through the moderator. Pretty much no difference in sound, since I have tried it with a .22 Sumo. Mine favors 18.1 grain JSB Heavies at 865 fps. I do this since with a Huma regulator, the velocity is adjustable. Very hard to do without a regulator since there is no HST adjustment like on an FX. Mine is accurate out to 90 yards, haven't taken any ground squirrel head shots past that range. The gun is accurate enough to shoot 25M Benchrest. In fact, my first card last month (before it got windy) was 246-9x. That was with the 18.1 JSBs and the Tatsu moderator. Grouping at 50 yards is very good, but haven't done any with a bag or rest, only my attached bipod. Routinely get around 3/4". I'm sure if I took my time with a bag or rest it would close up to 1/2" easy.

I put my Huggett on the Renegade for a test and it isn't all that much different at a distance; close up noise by my ear is pretty much the same. Either way it's backyard friendly. I've got plenty of JSB 18's on hand so I'll try those next.I agree it is pretty heavy, but not really objectionable IMO.
Update: Just tried the JSB 18s, it shoots those like a laser too at 25 yards.

 

[Hynzie]

congrats HE ,,,,super deal u got there,,, free aztec ,,,if it were hi power id be all over it ,,still might ,and add the huma,i got a RAW HM1000X 25 cal on order its been at least ten weeks ,,as long as its ready by may,,, it will be great,,,so congrats HAWK PAT

 

[Maineiac]

The weight on these things is very misleading. On paper they are 1-2 lbs more than other bullpups but when you get it shouldered it doesn’t feel any heavier than other rifles. Must be the way it’s balanced?

I can see how it might be heavy when it’s being carried around the woods since there’s no sling studs on the stock anywhere.

 

[hawkeye69]

Went out back tonight to do a bit of target shooting with the Renegade and I felt a little puff of air on my nose. Shot it again and another puff of air. Hmmm, breach seal already on a two week old gun? Pulled the barrel and inspected. O ring was in place and looked fine, but I pulled it out replaced it since I have extras. Put a touch of silicone grease on and reassembled. Loaded up and tested, no puff of air. Hopefully this isn't an indication of things to come, more likely just a bad O ring.

 

[Centercut]

Read sniperlabyo’s (Ernest) response half way down the first page. 

http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/pellet-probe-seal/

 

[hawkeye69]

"Centercut"Read sniperlabyo’s (Ernest) response half way down the first page. 
http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/pellet-probe-seal/

Thanks, I read and understand but in this case after changing the O-ring I no longer get puff of air.

 

[Centercut]

Check it without the magazine or SST in. I notice it JUST a little bit with the magazine in, and not at all with the SST, which blocks that little port. I did the same thing, changed out the barrel o-ring and it still did it which confused me. That damn little o-ring is hard to get in!

 

[hawkeye69]

Single loading without the SST in place after replacing the O-ring, no puff of air.