BRK Brocock Concept Lite XR - Real Lightweight!

BRK Brocock continues to go from strength to strength, and their recent success in the hotly contested Extreme Benchrest disciplines in the States, where thousands of dollars and four-wheel drive vehicles are regular prizes, serves to underline their elevated status. The recent title winner was BRK’s Ghost model, but for a super light, carry all-day hunting rifle, look no further than the gun under the spotlight here - the BRK Brocock Concept Lite XR.

Nod to the old
I remember the Brocock Concept model when the company was under its original founder’s steerage back in 2010, and this model caught the eye courtesy of its super-slimline cylinder and scaled-down overall profile, with all weight stripped out of the equation. Fast forward to the rather more dynamic company that is BRK today, and this latest Concept certainly serves as a nod to the original idea. Gone is the graceful woodwork, replaced by a modern state-of-the-art aluminium chassis, and the result is a super modern airgun. It’s a modular gun platform that’s designed to be compatible with AR-style parts, fittings, and accessories.
Unapologetically militaristic in styling, it’s the practical nature of this approach to airgun design that has gained such a following. The ‘Lite’ part of the model’s name refers to the scaled-down stock, where the forend is basically that small Picatinny rail, just forward of the trigger. Minimalist for sure! Another version exists that has a bit more of a forend, but for a weight-trimming exercise, my test gun is the one to push the concept. These actions are factory-fitted with a HUMA regulator, an adjustable 2-stage trigger, a probe-style filling valve, and a racy-looking side-lever.

Stock options
At this point, it would be remiss of me not to mention that the Concept model is available with or without a folding stock, which is another radical and clever feature that makes this highly portable model even more versatile and easy to store. Anyhow, I’ve opted for the fixed stock version, which still features adjustment and trims around £60 off the RRP.  As previously mentioned, AR compatibility is the idea, so the entire buttstock can be removed, allowing another AR-compatible component to be installed.
As it stands, the butt section is a ‘bought-in’ item from a company called MFT. The composite construction is super practical and robust, and the whole rear assembly is designed to move back and forth on a slide, controlled via the spring-loaded catch midway along. Just click and hold the catch upwards to increase or decrease the length of pull. Lovers of military kit and design will relish this feature, but whilst the solid rubber butt pad does its job, the cheekpiece is just a little basic and a tad low in my book.
As for the drop-down grip, this is AR spec too, ambidextrous, and perfectly comfortable in the aim. There’s even a small storage void in the grip, accessed via the base.

Muzzle fittings
A full-length barrel shroud is all part of the design and this, along with all the metalwork, gets the matte black treatment for practicality in the field. Up front, the muzzle is threaded, allowing a ½” UNF silencer to be used to reduce muzzle report. As standard, the shroud arrangement takes the edge off any crack, but a secondary silencer will eat the decibels.
There’s also a manometer to show onboard residual pressure, but just take care with this, given the precarious positioning. Just behind this is the rotating valve dust cover. Twist it open and the supplied charging adaptor can be inserted to prime the system. Fill pressures may vary as BRK Brocock operates along the lines of their sister company, Daystate, in that individual guns may be designated a slightly different fill pressure, depending upon the test regime findings. It’s safe to stick to 200 bar and to be honest, I reckon it’s advisable, simply in terms of placing all the components under less stress over time. That said, my test gun came with a card suggesting 220 bar was possible. Charging, as with any PCP, should be a slow process, as this ensures consistent pressure in the gun. Charge quickly and basic physics dictates that the air heats up, and when it has time to cool, will settle to a lower pressure than intended. So, for safety and practicality, slowly does it.

High mounts?
Our next choice is whether to use the magazine supplied or opt to snap in the single-shot tray. The latest gate style of magazine is utilized, and this all-metal design undoubtedly has a quality feel about it. Lift the ‘gate’ to expose the inner drum, twist clockwise right round, then insert a pellet nose first into the lower central hole. Fill all the remaining chambers and shut the gate.
BRK always machines very positive dovetail rails for scope mounting, but one big consideration here is the height of the magazine if it is to be used. Irritating I know, but that mag protrudes over the rails by some margin, so high mounts may be needed in order to get the correct clearance.

Power points
Before I forget, let’s just mention the multi-step power adjuster. It’s a neat little dial that sits just forward of the side-lever, on the right side of the receiver. Effectively a venturi control, it theoretically has three settings - low, medium, and high. In practice, medium and high were much the same on my test gun, but with the dial set to the lowest setting, velocity/energy dropped from an average of 554 fps | 10.8 ft/lbs, down to 470 fps | 7.7 ft/lbs, all while using the Rangemaster Sovereign pellets supplied. The lower power setting should significantly increase the shot count for informal practice sessions where full power shots simply aren’t necessary.
This Concept, as mentioned, is factory-fitted with a HUMA regulator, which is set up in conjunction with a floating hammer system. For those who haven’t encountered HUMA, they are a Dutch outfit that has worked with BRK for some while now and are well respected in airgun circles. On test, my Concept Lite XR managed 90 shots, with a total spread of 27 fps. Whilst not blisteringly consistent, this is within acceptable limits in the real world, all clocked using Rangemaster Sovereigns straight from the tin. As mentioned, in the case of my test gun, charging to the slightly higher 220 bar specified on the factory test sheet would inevitably give many more shots per charge, but big deal. A 200 bar fill pressure is plenty, and as stated, puts less stress on the system. If you’re obsessed with shot count, just double-check your paperwork.

Feel & handling
So, how does the Concept feel in use? Pull back that ultra-comfortable and stylish side-lever and it’s totally effortless for the 90º movement. Around 20º more and the merest pull sets the trigger and hammer, plus indexes the magazine for the next shot. On test, the action cycled faultlessly, and everything felt smooth, refined, and very well machined.
The ultra-short forend is my only real gripe, and whilst the Picatinny rail is undeniably functional, the fact that you can end up gripping the gun’s cylinder in the aim isn’t ideal. It’s all about compromise, of course. The trigger is pleasantly light and crisp, and with adjustment including the position of that match blade itself, it’s hard to imagine anyone not being satisfied. As for down-range performance, and while using JSB Exacts in .22, my first group at 30 yards was an enlarged single hole. Over 40 yards, sub ½” was the norm.

Verdict
So, that’s the BRK Brocock Concept Lite XR. At 5.9 lbs unscoped, this model is a real lightweight, and with a silencer screwed into position up front, the Concept becomes whisper quiet and perfectly balanced. Overall, a refreshingly slimline profile against so many bulky rivals in today’s marketplace. We all need a fuss-free gun to grab that won’t tire us out over an extended hunting foray, and I reckon the Concept Lite XR could well be that gun.

Thanks to Range & Country Shooting Supplies in Sleaford, Lincs. for the kind loan of this rifle.