BRK Brocock Pathfinder XR - Get Shorty!

Consider the early days of Brocock as an airgun manufacturer, and it’s fair to say that BRK Brocock as they are today, are a totally different entity. Take a close look at the photo of their new Pathfinder model on show here, and it really hammers home the point. Pin-sharp CNC engineering is much in evidence and with modern coatings, and a level of finish that rivals anything on the market, this stunning newcomer is a credit to the slick operation behind the scenes.

Listen & learn
All the best companies listen to and take note of customer feedback, and that is exactly what has happened here. When I previously tested Brocock’s Ranger XR model, I was taken aback by just how compact, portable, and downright practical the whole concept was. However, the Ranger relies upon a small, slimline cylinder for its air supply, with a resultant shot count of approximately 30-40. Now, in the real world, that number of shots is plenty for a hunting scenario, but there’s no doubt that a certain sector of our community craves more firepower, and just knowing they have the reserves onboard, for hours of shooting, should they so wish, keeps manufacturers on their toes. It’s therefore all about customer feedback, taking onboard suggestions and adapting products accordingly.
In the case of the Ranger XR, the answer was to offer an additional model, similar but different, that comes fitted with a buddy bottle in place of the slimline cylinder. Welcome to the Pathfinder XR - another neat and perfectly formed specimen that looks every inch a modern BRK Brocock. Just as portable and compact as the Ranger, yet this time, with a 300cc carbon Kevlar buddy bottle up front that offers in the region of 300 shots!

Scale down
The Pathfinder XR comes supplied with its own padded carry case, and this not only has strengthened canvas-style handles but also back straps, enabling the owner to pack everything up, sling it over the shoulder, and get hiking, hands-free. Another key piece of the design brief is a folding stock, and that’s significant, since with the stock folded in, the storage length is a mere 18.5”. Maybe not the smallest gun on the market, but damn close. The scaled-down case means this is one of those guns where the user can arrive on site for a planned hunting expedition, for example, without causing any alarm and arousing suspicion among our ‘anti’ friends. In simple terms, the short, stubby case isn’t so recognizable as containing shooting hardware, and that can give us an advantage where needed.
Inside the case, the team at Brocock included an Aim Grip Bipod and a 0db Silencer, and as both these items are optional extras, they give a good idea as to the potential of this style of rifle configuration. The 0db silencers are excellent quality, and the short model supplied really compliments the looks of the Pathfinder, screwed into place at the muzzle, after removing that extremely attractive factory diffuser. Just be aware, however, that any add-ons can detract from the ultra-compact brief. Likewise, the quality bipod assembly, although supremely functional, will add extra weight, which won’t suit everyone.

AR compatible
Look at the stock, and we are talking about very high-quality, precisely moulded synthetics. The main chassis up front flares nicely to incorporate an integral trigger guard and a small Picatinny accessory rail. In between the two, and neatly recessed into the underside of the forend, is the Foster inlet valve. This gets a neat magnetic dust cover, to keep crud away from the valve, and an extended fill valve adaptor is supplied, to make the job of finger access that bit easier. The drop-down pistol grip is AR compatible, and lovers of military-inspired practical configuration will love this aspect, allowing for the swapping out for alternative grips further down the line. In a similar vein, the entire buttstock can be removed, allowing another AR-style compatible assembly to be installed. As standard, Brocock fits a ‘bought-in’ item from a company called MFT, and it’s hard to fault. Formed from dense polymer, the rear section is designed to move back and forth on a slide, and the length of pull can be precisely set via the spring-loaded catch. Just depress, and at the same time, pull open or close up the stock.

Get set
The latest style of magazine is utilized with this model, offering 13 shots in .177, as per my test gun, and 11 shots in .22 calibre. They feel very well machined, and the filling procedure is simple. Just pull down the side/gate, wind the drum clockwise against gentle spring pressure, then drop the first pellet nose-first into the bottom middle hole, whilst preventing the pellet from falling right through. This holds the drum, and a pellet can then be dropped into each hole. Shut the gate, and we’re ready.
BRK recommends that this model is filled to 200 bar, and with a Foster valve being the closest thing we have to standardisation in the airgun PCP world, filling the Pathfinder XR is fairly easy. As mentioned, the knurled extended adaptor makes it much easier to snap the airline into place. The usual recommendation is to go by the manometer on the charging gear. However, look to the right side of the gun, and you’ll notice twin manometers. The top one permanently shows the HUMA regulator pressure, and the lower one, complete with coloured sections for a clearer guide, shows residual pressure in the buddy bottle.
Setting the fully adjustable trigger is the last task before we hit the range, and with adjustments even including that match blade angle and position, suffice to say, this trigger will suit the most demanding of shooters.

Side-issue
There’s no doubt that side-levers are now seen as the way forward for PCPs, in terms of ultimate control and increased refinement, and whilst some died in the wool ‘traditionalists’ may prefer bolt feed, one look at the sizeable biathlon lever here, and it’s clear there’s no real comparison when talking pure ergonomics. Pulling back the lever is a super refined experience, with no resistance over the first 70º, then the smallest pressure to set the hammer and trigger, plus index the magazine. The shape and angle are just about perfect, and throughout my test, the Pathfinder XR proved extremely reliable, and faultless in operation. The firing cycle feels super slick, and whilst noisy in standard form, the silencer all but kills the report.
To be honest, I’ve not always been blown away by the consistency of HUMA regulators. On test- they’ve been perfectly acceptable, just nothing special. However, in the case of the Pathfinder here, BRK claims an ‘advanced HUMA reg, and newly introduced hammer design’. Well, all I can say is that this Pathfinder XR on test was simply amazing. Firstly, shot count, and from a 200 bar fill, and with that 300cc carbon Kevlar buddy bottle fitted, a rough guide is to expect around 300 shots, which is very impressive indeed. For the purposes of this test/evaluation, I chose to monitor the first 100 or so shots, and this equated to eight magazines worth. Now get this - over that initial 104 shots, my chronograph displayed a total velocity spread of just 10 fps. That’s quite incredible consistency, and in the real world, as good as anything on the market, including full-blown match rifles or otherwise. Don’t forget there’s a power adjuster on the right side too, so for informal sessions, simply dial down and send the shot count through the roof!
As for accuracy, ragged groups over 30 yards were as to be expected, however, moving back to a more challenging 40 yards, grouping was still excellent and just over a ¼”, using Air Arms Diabolo Fields! OK, this is a £1200 plus piece of hardware, but nonetheless, that’s classy.

Verdict
FAC versions of this model are available, with .177 producing around 18 ft/lbs, and .22 or .25 calibre offering around 30 ft/lbs, and for those with the necessary paperwork and the inclination, the very best of luck. As it stands though, for those of us who don’t want that added hassle and are quite happy operating just under the legal limit of 12 ft/lbs, this latest Pathfinder XR is quite simply a superb airgun. The sheer quality inspires confidence, and that radical fold-away design, potential firepower, and supreme performance make this one of the most versatile hunting machines on the planet.