Range Report: Savage Renegauge Security Shotgun

Savage has a long and storied history of supplying good quality shotguns and rifles to the American public. Among the more interesting recent additions is the Renegauge shotgun. The Renegauge, in its sporting versions, is a fine outdoors shotgun.

This isn’t a budget-grade shotgun, but a shotgun comparable to Beretta or Benelli with a price that is a bit less than comparable imports. While a quality shotgun may be versatile and serve as a waterfowl gun with a long barrel, a simple barrel change makes it a home defense shotgun. Even better are purpose-designed shotguns set up from inception for a specific role. The Savage Renegauge Security is one of these.

Personal defense is serious business. Shotguns are awesome home defenders even in economy versions. The Savage Renegauge is a great home defense shotgun — maybe even more than we need. It also makes a fine 3-Gun competition shotgun.

The Renegauge is far more evolved than the typical pump-action riot shotgun. The Savage is optimized. Not only is it a credible semi-automatic shotgun, with every advantage of a modern gas-operated shotgun, there are features that limit felt recoil. One improvement is in magazine capacity. The Security model features a magazine holding six 2¾-inch shells. The magazine also serves to anchor M-Lok devices for mounting combat lights and other accessories.

Savage Renegauge Security

• Type: Short-stroke piston operated, semiautomatic
• Gauge: 12
• Capacity: 6+1 shells
• Weight:7 pounds, 6 ounces
• Overall length: 40 inches
• Barrel length: 18.5 inches
• Length of pull: 14.25 to 15.07 inches, adjustable
• Drop at heel: 2 inches
• Drop at comb: 1.5 inches
• Trigger pull: 4 pounds, 8 ounces (tested)
• Accessories: Rifle-style hard case; 3 recoil pads, 3 Butt plate spacers, 3 cheekpieces, shim kit; Improved Cylinder (.715-in.), Modified (.705-in.), Full (.695-in.) choke tubes.
• MSRP: $1,499

The heart of the shotgun is the Dual Regulating Inline Valve, or D.R.I.V., action. This is a modern, clean-burning, efficient, and reliable gas drive. The gas operation is similar to the famously-reliable Remington V Max or the Beretta types, but recoils less. The gas piston is grooved to provide self-cleaning operation.

I would count on cleaning the shotgun every 1,000 shells or so. The bolt features a heavy locking lug and robust extractor. It is interesting to look over the shotgun and its packaging to discover the ability to customize length of pull, camber or cast, and even drop from the comb. Small differences in length and angle will result in faster handling.

A shotgun doesn’t achieve its effectiveness by being aimed like a rifle. Instead, it is aimed by feel. There is nothing as fast as a shotgun on moving targets or firing quickly. The Savage Renegauge is possibly the most ergonomic combat shotgun I have handled.

Sporting shotguns don’t usually feature an oversize trigger guard that accommodates gloved hands. The Renegade Security does. Gloved hand use is easy enough — just remember your reduced tactical control with cold or gloved hands.

The bolt release is oversized/tactical sized. The fiber-optic front sight is protected by strong ‘ears,’ Contrast is excellent. The rear ghost ring is as good as it gets on a tactical shotgun. When aimed correctly, the rear sight fades and you center the front sight on the target. As you aim, the ghost ring fades in your vision centering the front post making for good hit potential.

If you choose to deploy slugs, this is a fine choice for fast accurate fire. Another tactical feature is the magazine loading port. Large and easily accommodating a rapid replenishment of ammunition supply, this is a good feature. A red magazine follower helps confirm the shotgun is empty.

The barrel features eight flutes that reduce weight a little and look super cool. The barrel is Melonite coated. I especially like the fact that the Savage Renegauge Security is fitted with a choke tube.

In home defense situations it doesn’t really matter, as any type of buckshot keeps a strong pattern. For longer range, a tighter choke is preferred. Buckshot doesn’t follow the same rules as other shot sizes, so be certain to pattern your shotgun with several loads. I like the fact that three choke tubes are provided from improved cylinder to full choke.

The Savage manual of arms is simple enough. The hammer must be released to load the chamber. A cocked gun will not feed from the magazine. A function lever (near the trigger guard) is used to lock the bolt open. The controls are oversized and easily used whether with gloves or in fast paced competition or a tactical situation. Loading and unloading are fast — very fast — and you may easily keep the magazine topped off in a defensive situation if need be.

While highly unlikely to need a shotgun reload, I don’t want to be the man who drowns in a creek of average three foot depth. A shotgun must be handled by feel and by someone who knows how to move a shotgun quickly. Busting clays is one thing. Moving targets are a simple chore when you have time and proper instruction on a shotgun.

Both the stock and forend are well designed with plenty of stippling and surfacing to provide good adhesion when firing. The forend is a bit long, but it must be to contain the advanced gas operation system. There are several styles of firing and tracking with a shotgun. A representative sample of shooters with different styles found the shotgun accommodating. The recoil pad is soft with plenty of give. The recoil pad is gel filled, a recent development that provides excellent recoil control.

While the shotgun is light kicking for a 12 gauge, I enlisted a few helpers during the test. I elected to fire 200 full-power buckshot shells to establish reliability. I also tested the Renegauge for patterning at 10 yards — with the modified flush-fit choke in place. An 18.5-inch barrel shotgun isn’t designed for long-range hunting. However, the Savage provided credible to excellent patterns for personal defense.

Shotgun Load Performance

Full power buckshot (for the most part).

Savage Renegauge: Range Test

As an aside, after many years of shooting I have developed arthritis in my shoulder. It doesn’t nag me every day, but may make shotgun firing painful. I placed a small shooting pad over my shoulder before firing the first magazine. I resolved to stop firing if there was any damage to be done.

I was surprised. Recoil is modest indeed. I was able to fire several magazines without any difficulty. As shooters took turns firing the shotgun, we never experienced a failure to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. Results were excellent.

Some doodle with the shotgun and others play. I put everything into running the Savage fast and hard. I ran through several combat courses. I fired in the dark, just above tomb level, when a shotgun is at its best. This is a credible defensive shotgun — as good as it gets. Some of my fellow shooters remarked that a tactical shotgun may be more than what is needed for home defense. Perhaps.

If your nerves are not crippled by conflict, and you are able to concentrate on operating the shotgun, fast hits come easily. A generous loading port makes it simple enough to top the magazine off during a firing string.

I found the Savage has many advantages and is as credible a choice as any self-loading shotgun for personal defense. As for myself, with all respect to any other shotgun, this is not only the best buy — it is my favorite tactical shotgun.

Do you feel a ‘Tactical’ shotgun is needed for home defense? How does the Savage Renegauge compare to your favorite tactical shotgun? Share your answers in the Comment section.