Waterfowlers are a tough breed. Birds often fly best in bad weather, and whether you’re sitting in a blind before sunrise waiting for the morning flight of mallards to land on an ice-skimmed pond, running a skiff under a gray sky spitting snow to set decoys for buffleheads, or slogging through a muddy cornfield to sit in a layout blind for a skein of incoming Canada geese, you need a shotgun built to handle whatever nature throws at you. More often than not, that shotgun is a semi-auto, chosen for functionality and for quick follow-up shots.
Savage wants to change the way you think about such shotguns, and to do so, the manufacturer spent nearly seven years developing a revolutionary new semi-auto shotgun—the Renegauge. The American-made Savage Renegauge Waterfowl model is one of three versions of this new shotgun.
The result? Functionality, accuracy, and comfort—all in one extraordinary package.
Thanks to the patented D.R.I.V. (Dual Regulating Inline Valve) self-regulating gas system, the Renegauge vents excess gas before it drives the bolt, resulting in consistent ejection, less felt recoil, and a fast cycling rate. The D.R.I.V. gas system consists of two valves that function in unison to balance the pressure needed to operate the Renegauge’s action. Because D.R.I.V. is self-regulating, Renegauge can handle hot high-brass loads as well as mild low-recoil shells with the same dependability. You’ll see reliable operation whether you’re shooting 3-inch magnums or low-recoil 2¾-inch cartridges. Best of all, though D.R.I.V. represents a quantum leap in semi-auto shotgun design, it is not a complex mechanism. This means it will not only deliver reliable operation in the field in all conditions, but is also easy to disassemble and clean at the end of day.
In addition, Renegauge has been designed to fit almost any shooter. Each package includes three recoil pads that can be used to adjust length of pull. There are also three comb-height inserts that allow for an even more customized fit. In all, there are 20 unique ways Renegauge can be set up, giving each individual shooter complete control over gun fit.
These design elements also help ensure that your eye is aligned properly over the ventilated rib for an accurate sight picture and faster target acquisition.
The recoil pads are manufactured out of a proprietary gel designed to tame recoil for the shooter while also reducing the impact on the shotgun’s internal components. The comb insert material is specifically designed to allow for comfortable cheek weld while reducing skin adhesion. In addition, a shim kit is included to further adjust drop and cast for minute adjustments for each shooter. Savage perfected this process with its AccuFit stock that originally appeared in its line of bolt-action rifles, and now Renegauge owners can benefit from Savage’s innovation.
Other key features of the Reneguage Waterfowl include a one-piece, chrome-plated action-bar assembly, chrome-plated reciprocating components, and a stock rod buffer to reduce felt recoil. Chrome-plating these components reduces friction, making them more durable. The process also helps reduce fouling, which leads to easier cleaning.
Renegauge Waterfowl can be had with a 26- or 28-inch fluted ventilated-rib barrel. In each case, the barrels boast a Melonite finish designed to improve wear and corrosion resistance. The fluted barrel, besides adding a distinctive look to the gun, helps lesson the overall weight to just under 8 pounds. Waterfowlers who have to haul a load of decoys or a layout blind across a muddy field will appreciate that touch.
A lighter gun comes up faster and helps a hunter get on target faster. It’s also an asset when you are tracking fast-flying ducks on those challenging crossing shots.
Also on board: a red fiberoptic front sight, a competition-ready, easy-loading magazine port, and oversize controls. These last two items help hunters wearing heavy gloves to quickly and easily reload the gun without having to shed the gloves. Finally, the beveled loading port, angled trigger housing, receiver, and elevator are designed for easy and rapid loading of shells.
The 12-gauge Reneguage is available in Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo. Each Renegauge Waterfowl model comes with three interchangeable flush-mount choke tubes (Beretta/Benelli) in Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full. A hard-sided, TSA-approved carrying case is also provided.
Savage has always prided itself on producing guns that function at a high level but are easy on the wallet. The Regegauge is no different. It lists for $1,549. Given all its features, that price is a bargain. (savagearms.com)