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10A new era of PCPs

from BROCOCK… S6

MOBILE RABBITING

WINA MULTI-SHOT

PCP WORTH£480!

NEWDAN

WESSONPELLET

SHELLS!

CONTOUR

TACTIC ALTORCHESTESTED

Hunting in a 4x4R8 OUR INITIAL

VIEWS ON WALTHER’SROTEX PCP…

GAMO G-FORCE 15JUNIOR TRAINER

£3.99

14 AIRGUN SHOOTER

Back in April, Midlands-based gunmaker Brocock was acquired by the Diana Group – no relation to the airgunmaker of the same name. For me, this was a very positive sign in what are tough economic

climes for any business. It shows just how healthy the airgun industry is seen by investors – and the appointment of ex-BSA man Peter Martineau as the new MD at the purpose-built Redditch plant further affirms the prestige of Britain’s airgunmakers and the men driving it. Daystate is part of the same group – and if Brocock goes on to blossom like that award-winning Staffordshire airgunmaker, then the spin-offs are great for both trade and shooters alike.

The benefits of having such an influential holding group behind you are obvious. Diana also owns the shotgunmaker Marocchi, and with so much shooting-related technology and expertise on tap – as Daystate can testify – many new avenues open up. Indeed, when I met Peter a few weeks back, he confided in me about a number of new initiatives currently gathering apace at Brocock.

While I’m sworn to secrecy on them, I am pleased to be given the opportunity to get my hands on one of the latest-spec Brocock PCPs to roll off the Birmingham production line.

The fact that all ‘new’ rifles (made post-7 April 2014) now carry an extended, two-year warranty proves to me that Brocock is taking full advantage of its new regime. And while I’ve tested many Contour models

down the years, I must confess that the XL S6 derivative here certainly feels the most well put-together of the lot.

Of course, the Contour per se isn’t ‘new’. In fact, it’s stood the test of time rather well, largely because of its catch-all appeal. This is a super-lightweight, ultra-compact PCP that comes dressed in a stylish skeleton stock – and its dimensions will suit youngsters and those with a small frame (like ladies) as well as your 16-stone field shooter who’s after maximum performance in the hunting arena.

The Airgun Training and Education Organisation (ATEO) has been using Brocock Contours for years, and their head-honcho, Dave Mills – who actually had a hand in the original design brief of the gun – has nothing but good to say about them.

He told me: “Our Contours have fired hundreds of thousands of rounds between them, and gone through thousands of pairs of inquisitive and rookie hands at hundreds of training events – and still they never let us down! They’re kid-proof, bomb-proof and are so user-friendly that they’re the perfect introduction to airgun sport.”

I’d add that the Contour is not only a great ‘trainer’ rifle, but rather accomplished at extracting the full potential of even the most accomplished marksman, too. Let not that dinky size fool you – the Contour is about as big a performer as you can get. For the £480 that my walnut-stocked Contour XL S6 will set you back, the return is quite fantastic – and if you’d

It’s the fast-fire XL version of a well-established Brocock multi-shot PCP – but now made at its Midlands factory under the guiding hand of an exciting new management structure. Nigel Allen gets to grips with the ultra-carbine Contour XL S6…

OUTLINEA new

AIRGUN SHOOTER 15

TEST: BROCOCK CONTOUR XL S6

prefer to go down the single-shot route rather than the rotary six-shot magazine of the Super Six version, that’s only £430!

These highly competitive prices include a spare magazine (in the case of the S6) and a special adaptor that converts the M10 x 1.0 thread at the end of the Contour’s thinned-down barrel to a standard 1/2in UNF fitting – plus you also get a snap-fit hose attachment to charge up the rifle via its quick-fill system. With exchange rates making much of the imported competition so expensive, home-grown hardware like this is certainly a tempting proposition for any airgun enthusiast, whether new to the game or seriously into it.

The last Contour I tested was the Bull-Barrel Elite model, which upsizes the cylinder to 30mm – but I think the 25mm diameter reservoir on the standard XL better suits the Contour’s petite lines. Okay, you have to sacrifice a bit of shot-count on a rifle that, by virtue of its squat shape, is already limited in its overall output – but as you can see from the performance graph above, my .177 test sample was still powerful and capable of returning around 40, hard-hitting shots per 200BAR fill.

You can convert the thread at the end of the barrel to

a standard 1/2in UNF fitting with the

supplied adaptor

16 AIRGUN SHOOTER

Yes, you may need to fill it up a little more often than most (bigger) PCPs, but that’s no great hardship – and if you use a stirrup pump, it’s a surprisingly quick, near-effortless job. Note that there’s no gauge on the rifle itself – so you’ll need one on your filling system in order to regulate what goes into (and check what’s already in) the air cylinder.

‘XL’ stands for extra-long, the model being introduced by Brocock some years ago in line with customers’ requests – and in retrospect, choosing a shorter-cylinder model wouldn’t bring any aesthetic or handling benefits, just the disadvantage of a much lower shot-count. For me, the XL should really be considered the ‘norm’ for the Contour, not a ‘long’ model.

Handling-wise, the Contour is really hard to beat. That sumptuous walnut stock – made in Sheffield by Custom Stock – is perfectly proportioned regardless of your stature. It’s a dedicated right-hander, and the top line of the skeletal butt has enough hint of a cheekpiece to cushion your jaw comfortably, and in good alignment with the mandatory scope.

The Contour has an ‘ideal’ length of pull between its trigger and ventilated rubber butt pad, and the ergonomics of the thumbhole – combined with the rifle’s overall light weight – mean you won’t be ‘fighting’ for a steady

aim. You also have the option to shoot with your trigger hand in the ‘thumb-through’ or ‘thumb-up’ position.

The pistol grip is quite vertical, but well positioned in relation to the curved blade that sits inside the woodwork’s integral trigger guard, and the short forend is nicely rounded underneath and at its tip to provide a good hold. Grip is further aided by laser-cut panels of skip chequering along the forestock and pistol grip.

Coupled with the slimline dimensions of the action, the best way to describe the Contour is ‘fast-handling’. As such, it makes a perfect ratting rifle – although its ultra-carbine length also makes it ideal when sniping from the confines of a hide.

I rigged my test rifle up for the farmyard, choosing a compact Simmons 1.5-5x20 WTC scope to which was attached a Laser Aimer red-dot sight – not for ‘range-finding’, but for snap-shooting. And for that, I married sights and rifle by way of a high pair of Sportsmatch HST46C See-Thru mounts.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSMAKER: Brocock, England

MODEL: Contour XL S6

TYPE: Multi-shot precharged pneumatic

COCKING: Side-bolt

CALIBRE: .177 (tested) and .22

MAGAZINE: six-shot rotary, removable

FILL PRESSURE: 200BAR maximum

SHOTS PER FILL: 40 (.177 sub-12ft/lb model on test)

OVERALL LENGTH: 790mm

BARREL LENGTH: 402mm, including M10 x 1.0 muzzle thread

WEIGHT: 2.05kg (excl. scope)

SIGHTS: None fitted, scope only

STOCK: Walnut thumbhole, right-hand with skeleton butt

LENGTH OF PULL: 354mm

TRIGGER: Two-stage, adjustable

SAFETY: None. Bolt is open-lockable

SRP: £480 incl. spare magazine, 1/2in UNF silencer adaptor and QF connector

OPTIONS: Single-shot rifle - £430; spare magazine - £29.95

CONTACT: Brocock � www.brocock.co.uk

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONSMAKER: Brocock, England

MODEL: Contour XL S6

TYPE: Multi-shot precharged pneumatic

COCKING: Side-bolt

CALIBRE: .177 (tested) and .22

MAGAZINE: six-shot rotary, removable

FILL PRESSURE: 200BAR maximum

SHOTS PER FILL: 40 (.177 sub-12ft/

OVERALL LENGTH: 790mm

BARREL LENGTH: 402mm,

WEIGHT: 2.05kg (excl. s

SIGHTS: None fitted

STOCK: Walnut t

LENGTH OFF

TRIGGER

SAFET

SR

Yes, you(bigger) PCa stirrup pump,there’s no gauge osystem in order to reguin) the air cylinder.

‘XL’ stands for extra-long, the myears ago in line with customers’ requshorter-cylinder model wouldn’t bring anyjust the disadvantage of a much lower shot-coreally be considered the ‘norm’ for the Contour, no

Handling-wise, the Contour is really hard to beat. Thatstock – made in Sheffield by Custom Stock – is perfectlregardless of your stature. It’s a dedicated right-hander, and thof the skeletal butt has enough hint of a cheekpiece to cushion yocomfortably, and in good alignment with the mandatory scope.

The Contour has an ‘ideal’ length of pull between its trigger and ventilated rubber butt pad, and the ergonomics of the thumbhole – combined with the rifle’s overall light weight – mean you won’t be ‘fighting’ for a steady

noand ri

you may need to fill it up a little more often than most PCPs, but that’s no great hardship – and if you use

mp, it’s a surprisingly quick, near-effortless job. Note that e on the rifle itself – so you’ll need one on your filling

egulate what goes into (and check what’s already

he model being introduced by Brocock some equests – and in retrospect, choosing a

any aesthetic or handling benefits, ot-count. For me, the XL should

not a ‘long’ model.That sumptuous walnut

fectly proportioned nd the top line

your jaw

edd

aim. You also have the option to shoot with your trigger hand in the ‘thumb-through’ or ‘thumb-up’ position.

The pistol grip is quite vertical, but well positioned in relation to the curved blade that sits inside the woodwork’s integral trigger guard, and the short forend is nicely rounded underneath and at its tip to provide a good hold. Grip is further aided bby y laser-cut panels of skip chequering along the forests ock and pistol grip.

Coupled with the slimline dimensions of the action, the best way to desccribe the Contour is ‘fast-handling’. As such, it makes a perfect ratting rifle – aaaaaaalthough its ultra-carbine length also makes it ideal when sniping fromo the confines of a hide.

I rigged my test rifle up for the farmyard, choosing a compact Simmons 1.5-5x202 WTC scope to which was attached a Laser Aimer red-dot sight – nonot t fof r ‘range-finding’, , but for snap-shooting. And for that, I married sights

ddd ririflefl by way of a high pair of Sportsmatch HST46C See-Thru mounts.

2ft/lb b modmodel el onon testest)t)

m, including MM10 10 x 1x 1.0 .0 muzmuzzlezle th threareadd

. scope)

ed, scope only

ut thumbhole, right-hand with skeleton butt

OF PULL: F 354mm

ER: Two-stage, adjustable

FETY: None. Bolt is open-lockable

SRP: £480 incl. spare magazine, 1/2in UNF silencer adaptor and QF connector

OPTIONNS: Single-shot rifle - £430; spare magazine - £29.95

CONTATT CT: Brocock � www.brocock.co.uk

The Contour‘s beautiful walnut stock, perfect for any stature, even has a hint of a cheekpiece to cushion your jaw comfortably

The thumbhole

has great ergonomics

The forestock sports laser-cut panels of skip chequering

Below: The Contour‘s design makes it a great ratting rifle

AIRGUN SHOOTER 17

TEST: BROCOCK CONTOUR XL S6

These have a hollow body that allows you to peer through them – and although intended for combined use with opens, they’re great for reactive shooting with a laser.

While I also attached a LightForce Pred3X tactical light for some night-time operations on scaly-tails around the barns, the Contour/Simmons/Laser Aimer combo made a formidable daytime ratting rig – and the odd feral fell to it, too. Swinging on aim and then pressing the laser’s forend remote switch brought about some of the fastest shooting I’ve ever experienced while airgun ‘hunting’ – and the short dimensions of the Contour ensured that even at speed, I didn’t sacrifice any accuracy at the final trigger press.

Of course, the auto-cycling six-shot rotary magazine assisted in this respect – a short throw of the blued steel side-bolt and the next round was in the spout within the blink of an eye (and without ever jamming, either). However, to fully appreciate the Contour’s accuracy potential, I slowed things down a bit on the test range to assess its grouping capability.

I’ll confess that its sub-12mm diameter barrel did have me concerned that there might be a little too much ‘resonance’ during the firing cycle, and lack some accuracy because of it – but regardless of its lack of girth, this is still a Lothar Walther barrel, choked and 402mm long – plus it’s strengthened at the breech with a joining collar.

As a result, accuracy was confirmed, although my particular test rifle spat out a few brands in a manner neither of us liked. I suspect it was down to the way the ammo ‘suited’ the chambers in the dinky, removable magazine. While these have a decent chamfer for the pellet’s tail to sit in, there’s not a lot you can do about a tight-fitting pellet. Those that fitted snugly – all the JSB-made derivatives, Webley AccuPell, RWS S-H-P and Superdome – shot very well, with the best (Rangemaster Sovereign) printing sub-inch groups at 40 metres. Some pellets – Bisley Magnum in particular – felt a little too

IMPORTANT NOTE: This image was photographed under controlled conditions, using a remote camera and after ensuring the rifle was unloaded

em – and t for reactive

ght for some night-he Contour/Simmons/

e ratting rig – and the d then pressing the laser’s

e of the fastest shooting I’ve d th h t di i f thever experienced while airgun ‘hunting’ – a

Contour ensured that even at speed, I difinal trigger press.

Of cour– a th

IMPcontrolensuring t

These have a hollow body that allows you to peer through themalthough intended for combined use with opens, they’re great fshooting with a laser.

While I also attached a LightForce Pred3X tactical lighttime operations on scaly-tails around the barns, theLaser Aimer combo made a formidable daytime odd feral fell to it, too. Swinging on aim and tforend remote switch brought about some o

i d hil i ‘h ti ’

The Lothar Walther barrel is strengthened at the breech with a collar

Rigging the scope and sight via hollow-body mounts means you can peer through them for use with a laser sight

18 AIRGUN SHOOTER

TEST: BROCOCK CONTOUR XL S6

tight in the chambers. Their grouping, while still consistent, was typically around 10 yards less effective – although all the quality brands would have been more than accurate to use in a farmyard hunting scenario.

Yet, while it’s easy to consider the Contour as a fast-action ‘ratter’, its capability as a deliberate, long-range performer most definitely shouldn’t be dismissed. With the right diet of ammo, the 40mm kill areas of knock-downs posed little challenge out to 50 metres – although, for that, I did swap the 5x power Simmons for my MTC 3-12x24 Viper Connect to magnify things a little more! For the record, I had no problems mounting either scope – the Contour’s breech offers a 50/68mm split, fore and aft, of standard 11mm dovetails.

In terms of report, the Contour is quiet enough for hunting with and, even, constant shooting in the back garden. I certainly wouldn’t want to spoil its ‘feel’ with the addition of a silencer – though it’s good to know that you have both M10 and 1/2in UNF options if you require the ultimate in stealth.

Finish-wise, the metal and woodwork are certainly on the money. The steel barrel and cylinder are well blued over a proper polish, and the black-anodising of the breech and various collars makes a complementary match. Personally, I’m not sure about the gold ring behind the filler port’s screw-off dust cover – but I know plenty of shooters who like a bit of bling on their guns.

The only component which let the side down for its finish was the side-bolt – it was a little roughly finished, though would probably polish up (and silver) to a nice patina in time. It certainly cycled the magazine flawlessly, however. And though its diminutive size is in keeping with the rest of the rifle, Brocock has designed it well in terms of practicality – you certainly get a fumble-free handle.

Though there’s no safety catch, you can lock the bolt open – a procedure that’s required to extract the stainless magazine. This is a relatively easy job courtesy of a ‘bowl’ that’s been machined into the breech block. There are no moving parts on the mag, just an O-ring to hold the pellets in at their waists, as the indexing pawl is contained within a housing bolted onto the left side of the breech. It’s simple, but perfectly effective.

In fact, that’s a good way to describe the rifle – the Contour XL S6 is a no-nonsense performer that goes about its business with complete command no matter what the shooter’s ability, frame or shooting requirement. The fact it’s been in production as long as it has is a great testament to its design, and now that Brocock has the added benefit of the Diana Group behind it, I can’t help but think we’re about to see a famous British gunmaker get even better at what it does best – making really great airguns! �

The Contour XL S6 performs beautifully, no matter

what your ability, frame or shooting requirement

The filler port has a screw-off dust cover

The side-bolt may be small, but it‘s easy to handle

A bowl in the breech gives easy access to the magazine (removed here to show the indexing pawl)