BRK Pathfinder XR .177

Following on from my recent post, Getting back into target shooting , I've now purchased a new rifle and some extras! Looks like I've got some set up to...

The above payload comes after much research (and saving 😅). I’ve been keen to purchase a rifle for some time but never found anything that I was after. My only use is target shooting, so I needed something accurate, easy to transport between home and the range, and the right size to use comfortably for a long period of time.

I finally came across the BRK Pathfinder, which seemed to perfectly fit my needs. So, here it is, my BRK Pathfinder XR, a .177 calibre air rifle.

What you see here is the base rifle fitted out with several extras.

Extras

Moderator

This is a short 0dB silencer. While the gun is not loud, this helps further reduce the noise. Also, as this rifle is relatively short, it provides a little more length and adds to the overall aesthetic.

Scope

This is a Vector Veyron 4-16x44 IR FFP. There are lots of weird numbers and letters there. It has zoom magnification of 4x to 16x, and the objective lens is 44mm. The IR means it has an illuminated reticle. The reticle is a collection of fine lines etched into the glass and is what you see when you look down the scope. FFP is a first focal plane, which means the reticle is relative to your zoom level. When you zoom in, the reticle size increases. The marking or the spacing between them is also relative. This differs from most scopes operating on the second focal plane, where the reticle stays the same regardless of zoom.

Bipod

This is a UTG Recon 360, 7-9”. You can extend the legs to provide more height and move them forward and back to lock in various positions. The top of the bipod also allows for 360° adjustment. I’ve found this easy to adjust and get just so.

Chronograph

Always seen as an optional extra, a Chronograph measures the speed of the pellet. This helps indicate the performance of the pellet and gun. Different pellet weights can affect the muzzle velocity, so to be on the correct side of the law in the UK, especially when owning an unlicensed gun, it is a good idea to have one at hand. If your gun is over the limit or “hot”, then you are committing a criminal offence. While most guns are tested at the factory, this is no guarantee. Once you have a gun in hand, the responsibility is with you. If your gun is over with a particular pellet weight, you should contact the manufacturer immediately to correct the calibration.

I own an FX Pocket Chronograph V2. It attaches to the end of the barrel and uses radar to obtain the measurement. A companion phone application receives the measurements via Bluetooth and allows you to assign readings against different guns and pellets. It does all the calculations for you and can show you what sort of spread you get from a pellet.

Storage

I use a Nuprol Medium hard case. It has two layers of eggshell/wave foam to protect the rifle. The case also features wheels and multiple handles (including a pull-out handle). It features a pressurisation value, which is handy for transporting it via a plane. The law in the UK requires air guns to be stored safely, especially when people under the age of 18 are present in the house. This case boasts two separate holes that can have padlocks attached. I use these two small TSA-compatible wire locks. When not in use, my gun is unloaded, double-locked and stored out of sight. Additionally, the ammunition is stored in a separate, locked box.

What is it like to use?

In a word, fantastic!

Its power source is PCP, an air tank that can be filled to about 200 bar. You can charge it with a specialist high-powered hand pump, diver’s tank or compressor. For context, an average car tyre is about 2-3 bar. With a full tank, I can get about 200 shots per fill. It produces a muzzle energy of about 11.4 foot-pounds, so well under the legal limit. The rifle looks very tactical in an all-black, foldable synthetic stock.

The action on this rifle is a super-smooth bolt and comes supplied with a single-shot and 13-shot magazine. Pulling back on the handle cocks the gun, pushing it forward, pushes the next pellet in the barrel.

It’s always a good idea to run the gun through as many pellets of different weights/sizes as possible. Much like shoes, some fit better than others, and you must try them out to determine which works best. I picked up a few pellet sample kits to put the rifle through its paces. The H&N Barracuda FT (9.57gr) pellets are the most consistently accurate.

If I had to find any negatives, they would be that the gauges are not centre-aligned from the factory, and it would be good if the bolt stayed open after the last shot, preventing you from dry-firing the gun after the last shot. Neither of these is a big deal and is a matter of personal preference.

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Overall, after several sessions down the range, I’ve been really pleased with it. It’s consistent, comfortable to use, and lands pellet on top of pellet each time. If you’re in the market for a new PCP air rifle, I’d strongly recommend it.