Daystate Huntsman Regal

Daystate have been producing versions of the Huntsman since the company first started producing PCPs back in the 1970s, but the rifle I’ve been spending time with is light-years away from those now classic PCPs.

I’ll make no apologies in starting my review with the walnut stock, as the timber fitted to the Regal is gorgeous! I don’t know what it is I like so much, as it’s not ground-breaking in any way, it’s just ‘right’ in my eyes.

The stand-out feature is how the forend almost completely covers the air reservoir; you can usually see at least half of any PCP’s cylinder, but Italian stock makers Minelli have been able to machine the inlet so that only a fraction is visible; the result a very full-bore-looking airgun.

In fact, I’d love a cartridge rifle with such a lovely bit of wood fitted to it. The furniture does everything you want, i.e. allows you to get on target with the minimum of fuss and aligning your eye with the scope but the individual parts certainly add up to produce a very pleasing item.

Starting at the front, there’s a slim forend that flows back to the rounded belly and then onto the grip that features a contrasting rosewood cap. Panels of lasercut checkering adorn both the forend and grip, ‘Daystate’ and their logo are also etched into the surface. The grip features an R for Regal and Minelli’s logo is just behind. The butt has an elegant, roll over, right-hand dedicated cheekpiece, with a ventilated red recoil pad, not that there is any discernible recoil, of course. The only downside to the stock (and admittedly it’s a minor quibble) is that it would be nice if sling swivel studs were fitted from the factory. I’ve seen far too many stocks ruined by their owner’s attempts to fit studs themselves and I’d hate to see this happen to such a nice rifle.

Piece Of The Action

That’s the stock covered, so what about the action? Well, it’s pretty much as you’d expect from the Staffordshire-based company, in that it’s their conventional barrel over cylinder styling, with a rear-mounted cocking and loading bolt. The breechblock has a cut-out for the 10-shot, rotary magazine, but a single shot tray is also available as an optional extra for those who wish to manually load pellets into the match grade barrel. There are a couple of small but powerful magnets in the breach and these hold the magazine or tray securely.

The barrel has a shroud fitted that has internal baffles and it quietened the Regal’s report quite a bit, but as the shroud is threaded, any ½ inch UNF silencer can be fitted if required. I fitted one of Daystate’s Airstream units and it was extremely quiet. The alloy air reservoir has gloss black anodising and it contrasts nicely with the matte finish on the barrel shroud and breechblock. The shiny, chromed bolt handle might not be to everyone’s taste but I like the ‘bling’ factor.

The trigger mechanism is two-stage and a safety catch at the rear of the action clicks on and off with very little effort; it’s quiet too, so won’t spook quarry whilst hunting. The Regal’s action isn’t regulated but there are some clever internals thanks to airgun designer Steve Harper. His Titan knock open valve, combined with the Slingshot Hammer System work together to produce over 110 full power shots in .22 calibre from the relatively small air reservoir capacity of 114cc; this is roughly double what would be achievable if the rifle had a conventional hammer and valveclever stuff indeed! When I shot the rifle over the chronograph I was very impressed by the shot to shot consistency and yes, I did achieve over 110 shots per 230 bar fill, just as Daystate said.

Fill Up and Shoot

Charging the Regal with air is via a quick-fill fitting on the front of the air reservoir, which is protected by a pull off cover. A quick injection of air only takes a minute or so and the rotary magazine is filled with 10 pellets in rapid order. I was using JSB pellets which proved to be consistent and accurate, that first class barrel producing tiny clusters at all hunting ranges. If the rifle had been in .177 I’d have been happy to have taken it onto an HFT or FT course.

It’s as a hunter that this lovely gun excels though, and after I’d done plenty of shooting on the range I was more than happy to employ it up at my local farm to control vermin. As mentioned before, I’d have liked a set of sling studs fitted so that I could have slung the Regal over my shoulder whilst moving from place to place, but as the gun’s relatively light I wasn’t really all that bothered. I always rest my air rifle on an FT bean bag shooting seat when required, as I’d hate to scratch the timber or metalwork; I don’t think Daystate’s MD Tony Belas would be too pleased with a scuffed up rifle being returned and this is hardly a knock-about sort of gun!

The Regal was fitted with an impressive MTC Mamba Lite 3-12x44 scope and it suited the rifle well and the balance was quite neutral with it in place. A trio of squirrels went in the gamebag on a glorious summer morning and I ended up with a wood pigeon and a ring necked parakeet the following week. The Huntsman Regal functioned perfectly and when I realised that no more vermin were going to come within range one day, I spent a pleasant half hour plinking in the woods.

Even without an additional silencer fitted the Regal is quiet enough for most hunting trips but Daystate have a nice Airstream model available for £64.99 if required.

Conclusion

I’ve really enjoyed using the Daystate Huntsman Regal, both on the range and whilst controlling vermin; it has performed perfectly at both tasks and the shear class of the rifle has certainly added to the pleasure. It’s very accurate and handles beautifully and it’s another classic in the making. At £799 it is also good value for this class of air rifle.

PRICE: £799, optional silencer £64.89
CONTACTS: www.daystate.com