Mark Camoccio gets to grips with a particularly small airgun from Brocock; the Ranger XR
The Ranger XR is Brocock’s new baby, and whilst gun’s of this type are so often launched at shooting shows, (something that’s understandably had to take a back seat for a while), the company has instead issued press releases, after a drip-feed of tantalizing info bytes on social media platforms.
My test rifle came in the usual boldly emblazoned protective box and I have to say that first impression had me double-taking. For the Ranger XR, as supplied, comes without a silencer, and as such, at just 27.3” (adjustable) in length, looks pretty small. So, should we feel short-changed from £1244? Admittedly, that is a significant asking price, but look closer and this model has a raft of features aimed at a particular sector of the market. For a start, we get that slick side-lever action, their new style of magazine (11 shot mags in .22 calibre and 13 shots in .177), manometer, threaded muzzle, regulated action and variable power. Build quality is impressive overall too, and whilst practical non-glare metal finishes may lack the panache of chemical bluing, who can argue with their practicality?