Even the name Renegauge, an innovative neologism made up of the words "Renegade" and "Gauge" shows that Savage obviously wants to break new ground here. Naturally, we were really excited to see what was in store for us. A lot, we can already reveal.
The Savage Renegauge Security and its scope of delivery
When unpacking the shotgun, the tester noted that it's unbelievable what's inside the black plastic case. Not only does it include a set of interchangeable chokes with a choke wrench and various shims (stock spacers) for adjusting the drop and cast of the buttstock, but also two additional recoil pads with different lengths and three comb height inserts. This allows owners to customise their shotgun and adapt it to their personal requirements. The scope of delivery also includes some small parts and spare parts, an orange-colored safety flag and a cable lock, which is mandatory in the USA. Even two earplugs are included. A detailed and well-illustrated English instruction manual is also included. That is very impressive. The fact that the manufacturer have thought about spare parts, such as several O-rings to support the customer in the event that something is damaged, can only be applauded. The shotgun and accessories are held in place and optimally protected by a stable moulded insert made of hard foam. Pre-punched holes allow the insert to be customised if the owner changes the contour of the shotgun by adjusting length of pull or fitting a red dot – very good.
The sights of the Savage Renegauge Security
While a high-quality ghost ring rear sight is screwed onto the Renegauge receiver and additional holes are threaded for an optic rail, a detachable front sight mount with a front sight guard and green fiber-optic front sight sits on the barrel end. This combination results in very good, high-contrast sights. If you want to mount a red dot, you will find a suitable optic rail from the American manufacturer EGW (Evolution Gun Works) in the accessories trade. However, it is not only the lavish equipment, but also the almost futuristic appearance that is refreshingly different from what we are used to from other semi-auto shotguns. The distinctly angular design could easily have come from the master of the wedge shape himself, Marcello Gandini, the creator of the Fiat X1/9, Lamborghini Countach and Lancia Stratos, who died last year.
Even the light alloy receiver has strikingly angular lines, giving the Savage shotgun a fresh and dynamic appearance. The three-color design of the Security also offers a lot for the eye. The grey synthetic stock and the anthracite-colored receiver match the black color of the barrel and tubular magazine very well. You could already fall in love with this semi-automatic.
The technology: what's inside the Savage Renegauge Security
But enough about appearances, how does the Savage perform in practice? After all, the Security version of the Renegauge costs $1,279 in the US. We wanted to know whether the autoloader can keep up not only visually but also technically with the well-known and well-proven shotguns from renowned manufacturers. So now to the technology. According to the manufacturer, the centerpiece of the Savage Renegauge is the unique, patented self-regulating DRIV (Dual Regulating Inline Valve) gas system. It is designed to ensure particularly reliable cycling even when using a wide variety of ammunition types. The DRIV works with two valves arranged parallel to each other, which only feed as much gas into the action as is required for reliable operation. The remaining gas is simply discharged. This is intended to reduce recoil and put less strain on the shooter's shoulder during longer shot strings. The internal workings of the shotgun should also be spared due to the reduced shock, thus extending the service life of the shotgun. So much for the theory. But can this gas-operated autoloader with a rotating bolt actually fulfil the high expectations? More on this later.
The 47-cm long interchangeable choke barrel is fluted over a length of around 25 cm, which is probably intended to improve heat dissipation. Whether this is really necessary remains to be seen, but at least there was no heat mirage even with extended strings and very fast firing sequences. The three muzzle-length interchangeable chokes supplied (full, half and quarter chokes) should also fit Beretta and Benelli shotguns. If required, you could therefore make use of the extensive range of chokes from these manufacturers and, if necessary, fit a suitable extended choke. Tester Frank Flumm put it to the test and fitted a Beretta choke from his own stock. The Optima Choke Plus, which has the same muzzle length as Beretta shotguns, protrudes from the barrel of the Savage by around 20 mm. Apart from the lack of knurling on the choke protrusion, the result is practically an extended choke.
Savage Renegauge Security: workmanship and trigger
The workmanship makes a solid impression. There is nothing to criticise about the receiver, the barrel or the magazine tube, whereas a few casting seams can be seen and marginally felt on the attractively designed polymer stock. But that is already complaining on a very high level. The grip areas on the pistol grip and fore-end have a pleasant and very grippy texture, reminiscent of a well-made checkering. The recoil pad made of a gel/rubber combination also does its job perfectly, ensuring a very fast and absolutely stable grip. In addition, the recoil pad works very well, even with hard loads: top!
The trigger breaks slightly sluggishly after a short first stage travel, but with an excellent trigger pull weight of just 1,450 grams (average of ten measurements). A very good value. You can work with it. The generously dimensioned controls also favour easy and safe handling of the Renegauge. The safety selector (at the rear of the trigger guard) and the bolt release work perfectly. The round, knurled charging handle is also very easy to operate. This makes handling the shotgun a real pleasure. The oversized loading port and the remarkably smooth-running elevator enable extremely fast reloading, regardless of whether individual cartridges are pushed into the magazine or whether you want to reload by double load or even by quad load – a first-class solution!
Magazine capacity and loading of the Renegauge Security from Savage
The magazine capacity of 6+1 rounds is sufficient for most static and dynamic shotgun disciplines. However, some semi-auto shotgun disciplines require a capacity of eight rounds. But there is also a solution for this: simply use 12/60 or 12/63.5 shells. The Renegauge Security's tubular magazine holds seven of these short cartridges and, together with one cartridge in the barrel, this is enough. The Savage is therefore ideally equipped for sporting use. Are there any negatives to report? Unfortunately yes, although nothing really serious. The polymer trigger guard and thus also the trigger group of the Renegauge exhibit slight play, which unfortunately does not fit in with the overall appearance of the otherwise very high-quality shotgun. However, this does not affect the function and reliability of the shotgun in the slightest. Unfortunately, after only a few shots with slugs, the front sight green fiber-optic insert broke and could no longer be found on the shooting range. What a pity. This happens here and there, of course, but more often with cheaper shotguns. But that was about it. With the best will in the world, the Renegauge cannot be criticised for anything else and overall this semi-automatic shotgun was convincing across the board and completely fulfilled all expectations.
With the Savage Renegauge Security on the shooting range
Here, the Renegauge was clearly in its element, demonstrating appealing precision as well as flawless function and unconditional reliability. No matter what you feed the Renegauge, it simply swallows everything and converts every conceivable shotgun shell into kinetic energy. During the tests there was not a single malfunction, neither with lightly loaded 12/60 slugs nor with light 24-g shot loads. Of course, the Renegauge also worked with powerful ammunition. This gas-operated autoloader impresses with its completely trouble-free operation and is very hard to put down. Anyone who has ever seen the vigour and momentum with which the Savage catapults out the fired shells is absolutely certain that there can never be a malfunction caused by a spent shell getting stuck.
A little tip: if you are standing directly next to other shooters with this shotgun in a competition, please stand to the far right so as not to violently maltreat the other shooters with spent shells. Otherwise you will make absolutely no friends on the shooting range. However, you will make friends if you let your fellow shooters shoot with the Savage. Afterwards, all you see around you are beaming faces. Great. As always, several people were involved in the tests, both shotgun beginners and advanced shooters. Felling plates with shotguns was great fun with the Savage. Shooting with slugs was also great fun. The pleasant shooting behavior of the Renegauge was also very positive. The theory mentioned above was confirmed in practice. Accuracy was quite impressive considering that the front sight had lost its fiber-optic insert early on. However, the otherwise very high-contrast sights suffered noticeably from this loss and did not exactly make precise aiming any easier. Nevertheless, the two very good 65-mm groupings with the Brenneke Classic 12/70 slugs and 12/76 Opal Magnum show the accuracy the Renegauge is capable of. However, more would certainly have been possible with reflex sights.
Savage Renegauge Security technical specifications and price
Gauge: | 12 with 76-mm chamber |
Capacity: | 6+1 rounds |
Overall Length: | 1,020 mm |
Barrel Length: | 470 mm |
Length of Pull: | 340 mm |
Trigger Pull Weight: | 1,450 g |
Weight: | 3,385 g |
Price (MSRP in the US): | $1,279 |
Equipment: | Gas-operated autoloader with rotating bolt, light alloy receiver with ghost ring rear sight, fluted interchangeable choke barrel, multi-adjustable synthetic stock. |
Conclusion on the Savage Renegauge Security shotgun
If you are looking for a highly customisable and extremely reliable semi-automatic shotgun with lots of accessories, you will find what you are looking for at Savage. Whether it should be the Renegauge Security or even the competition-optimised Renegauge Competition depends on the buyer's personal taste or budget. Apart from minor shortcomings, the Renegauge Security is a very high-quality and well-equipped autoloading shotgun and therefore deserves a clear recommendation to buy. The initial question as to whether the Renegauge Security can keep up with shotguns from other well-known manufacturers can only be answered with an unqualified "yes". The Savage Renegauge Security is a real alternative to the tried and tested "top dogs" and an enrichment on the shotgun market.
Further information on the Savage Renegauge can be found on the manufacturer's website.
