Lewis Mac Outdoors

With storm after storm hitting the U.K. at the moment it’s difficult to get out. It’s not the rain, it’s the 45mph winds and working in woodland that is the deciding factor.
The deer, actually all woodland creatures, are not even venturing out.
Instead both myself and are sat looking out the window like the Cat in the Hat book and reminiscing of our time in Spain.

Well…IWA 2023 is done and dusted!

Amazing show and fantastic to see the stand constantly packed with people from countries far and wide wanting to check out all the rifles from .

Loved every minute of the show!

Thank you all that came…see you next year? 🤔🤭
Bergara Rifles International

If anyone is stuck for something to do today…why not head over to J Hogan And Son Ltd open day.
Plenty of Bergara rifles to have a play with. The new Crest and Vipers are on display 😍
Bergara Rifles International

I like many have seen the news and are saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

A whole host of emotions right now…but I will say this.

As a veteran, it was an honour to serve you ma’am.

Godspeed.

God save the Queen.

Load development…you either love it or hate it.
Me personally…I love it.
It allows you to see what your rifle likes, loves and hates…also allows you the time between groups to let the barrel cool and take in the world around you…even if it is bright and you have to squint 🤭
34gr Alliant Reloader 15 and a Sierra 55gr Blitzking is what my 22-250 likes 👌🏻

Which camp are you in? Love it or hate it?
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Nice and cool this morning whilst heading to the northern boundary of the estate, had a slight shower at 04:30, but I tucked into the tree line to keep out of it, luckily it only lasted 30mins.
Between 3 woodland blocks there is a hillock, which provides a perfect vantage point to watch and glass all comings and goings from the blocks.
The cameras have been picking up plenty of Roe Doe and Buck activity between the fields and the blocks, clearly no rut activity yet, even with the hot, cold then hot spell last week.
There have been 2 Bucks I’ve wanted to have a good look at from the camera footage.
Both of them made an appearance this morning.
One got a pass as on the camera he appeared to have an awkward gait, he sauntered on past me at no more than 30m and he seemed to be in perfect health.
The second Buck, whilst in very good condition and health, had a slight malformation on his right antler. So decision was made, 90yard prone unsupported downward angle from the hillock.
The Geco Teilmantel doing their job again and rooted him to the spot.
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So with the release of the new Limited Edition “Reserva” rifle, I thought I would share the pictures of one stunning 375H&H Reserva I got to get hands on with at the Bergara factory recently…
Absolutely stunning walnut stock, big boy cerakoted barrel & a Bergara performance trigger.
There are only 50 of these available…really wish I could justify getting a 375H&H on my license 😢

Weblink for more info and order process:

https://www.bergara.online/en/rifles/limited-edition/reserva/

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Well, been laid up with covid for a week and current state is climbing the walls desperate to get outside.
I’ve not even unpacked fully from being away.

So here is a throwback picture of when I was in Spain at Bergara having a play with the Crest on the range…really wanted to bring this rifle home with me 🤭
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So as many know last week saw some of the Bergara Ambassadors and Pro Team jet off to Spain to visit and tour the Bergara Factory.

While there, we were given a presentation on the history of Bergara rifles, the processes in manufacturing, testing of those processes, customer service and the Bergara family, that we as Bergara shooters, owners, Brand Ambassadors and Pro Team are a part of.

There was a mountain of information to take in and retain, but not once did it feel overwhelming…in fact it was delivered in such a way that made it fun and enjoyable. As they say, “if you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life”

Some have asked if there was ever a language barrier…occasionally there was but only a small one, but it never caused an issue…hand gestures, drawing in the air and some of us spoke a little Spanish, enough for us all to have a laugh with and about…again, not once was anything ever uncomfortable, miscommunications were swallowed up by out of control full on belly laughs and copious amounts of alcohol…damn can those Bergara HQ guys drink! 😂

The memories and friends made will be with me for a lifetime.
I’d like to thank everyone at Bergara Rifles for an amazing adventure…even when the boat runs out of fuel Rafa! 😂😂😂
Thanks again to Guillermo, Rafa S, Ander, Christian, Rafa C, Javi, Carlos, Alex and Al for an amazing week! Until the next time time 👌🏻👍
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Out scouting and hunting the other day.
Whilst glassing the mountain side from our position with , we saw lots of Mouflon Ewes moving around with a small Ram…then all of a sudden a big Ram appeared from the tree line below them.
Amazing to watch them moving and getting eyes on a new species to me.
They skylined at over 600m and sauntered around until finally disappearing…all the time keeping a watchful eye on the 5 hunters staring at them 😂
Shame they are out of season…otherwise there would have been some amazing hunting

(Pictures by .pro & spotting scope picture by )
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After a full day on the range shooting shooting various rifles and calibers, running boar and clay pigeon…we just arrived at the Bergara Hunting Estate…
No filtering or picture editing…it’s just stunning!
Species on the estate:
Muflon, Boar, Roe deer…not to mention the fishing!
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What an amazing first day!

After a relaxed evening, this morning saw us head to the factory.
What an eye opener that was! We saw every process from raw steel through to finished article and everything in between.
The staff in the factory were more than accommodating and happy to show us everything.
There is much more to say, but this post would be gigantic 😂
More to come over the next days, weeks and months 😂😂

All checked in…ready for a few beers with the team! Early start tomorrow for a fun packed day at the Bergara Factory 😍
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His & Hers B14 HMR 6.5Creeds 🤭
Throw back picture to last week before got her new contact lenses and now can’t see a thing 😂
Her new contacts are causing her great distress…even had to cancel a day out shooting with a friend.

How many of you have shooting partners/spouses? And who’s the better shot? Domestic drama in 3…2…1 😂
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Had a relaxing jaunt out this morning…ended up sat in a field watching a Roe Doe meander along the fence line. Not long after a Buck came sauntering across from another woodland block, making his way over to her…he then bolted to the fence, hopped over and stood there broadside…instead of taking the Buck I looked back from the direction he came…🤔…2 foxes heading the same direction…quick squeak and they quickly turned my direction. One stopped at 140 yards but the other kept coming…120 yard shot with the 308 and another fox removed from the sheep farm.

What’s your thoughts on predator control whilst stalking? Yes or no and why?

When I got back to the truck, had a chin wag with the farmer as we had a front row seat to a calf being born and taking his first steps 😍
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First of all…hope everyone has had or is still having a wonderful jubilee weekend!

Throw back picture to a few weeks back as the only shooting I’ve managed recently is corvid and pigeon control over the crop fields.

A curious Buck made an appearance yesterday, wandered out along the headland then hopped the fence to seemingly play with the lambs…running around them like a lunatic before walking off clearly in a “huff” having not peaked their interest 🤷‍♂️😂
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Bit of cat and mouse last night…unfortunately the Buck that’s been using the maize field as a crossing decided to sit on the banking behind a tree until dark.
Whilst walking back down the margin towards the truck in pitch black dark, I had a look back through the thermal only to see him wander across the field 🤦‍♂️
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A while back, a close friend asked if I wanted to go on my first game shoot.
Plenty of time to practice between now and November…downside…I only had semi autos and pump actions 🤦‍♂️
With the need for an O/U shotgun, myself and the Mrs headed to our favourite shop, Malmo Guns to have a gander. Rosie picked out a few and the one that stood out was a nice s/h 12g Browning, they kindly placed it in the back so I could collect it later in the week…however everytime I suggested heading up there, the Mrs had “other jobs” for me…
Turns out she was up to something 🤭
Last Sunday the guys at Malmos just happened to have a shotgun with them…🤔…the Mrs had been up to mischief and bought me a present.
A Browning B725 Hunter Grade 5 😍
Today was the first time shooting it at Kelbrook Shooting Lodge, and wow what an amazing shotgun!
Last time I “did” clays…6 out of 100 😂😂😂
Today…whilst not really keeping score as it was a fun day and learning day, out of 75 clays I only missed 12-15…and those where some crazy midi’s off a tower with a second or 2 reaction time before they were gone! Have to say the favourite stand was the high bird flush right above my head…perfect practice I’m told for November.
Thanks to Malmos and the Mrs…this shotgun clearly fits and works for me…but I’m still scared of dinging the wood 😂

On Sunday we held a Bergara demo day for a local dealer.

The itinerary for the day was in 3 parts, ammunition testing and ballistics, hands on use of various Bergara rifles and some Precision shooting culminating in a mini precision rimfire competition for fun.

Todays post is part 1 of 3…the lead and lead free bullet testing, the expansion rate and the terminal effects of the bullets

The ammunition tested for the ballistic demonstration:
Norma 150gr EcoStrike shot from a Bergara 308win B14 HMR
Norma Oryx 180gr shot from a B14 HMR 300win
Norma 308win Jaktmatch 150gr FMJ shot from the B14 HMR.
Geco 170gr Teilmantel SP from the 308win Bergara Premier Approach.

The test results were definitely an eye opener for everyone. Not just the effects and wound channel caused by the different bullet types, but the way the lead core bullet fragmented and shed weight as it entered and expanded in the ballistic soap.
The real brain teaser was how the FMJ bullet stayed in tact with no deformation other than the base.

Also on demonstration was “The Last stand” self repairing target frame, kindly sent up with from Jackal Fi****ms…this target frame is a real winner. Very light, portable and with stood a hammering from all rifles and shooters…even the mighty 300win…unlike the last picture which shows how the ballistic soap reacted to the 180gr bullet from the 300win 🤭

Part 2 of 3 coming soon 👍

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Had a great day at the Northern Shooting Show, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. So many great stands there, such as Baileys Shooting And Country Wear and Best Fox Call
We visited Jackal Fi****ms and Jackal Medical stand, what a great stand! Loads of kit for shooting and medical kits for shooters too.
A friend needed a new sheath for his knife so we dropped into The Anvil Workshop. They went above and beyond, drawing out a design there and then, showing the different leather types and even inviting my friend to the workshop tomorrow to have a look round!
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Nice little wander out this evening to see if the range needs a refresh and to check flight lines for tomorrow after the fields are worked and seeded.
Great to see the pheasants just mooching around in the evening sun.

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Glorious sunshine…perfect for zeroing the Schmidt & Bender 8x56 West German on top of the Premier Approach.
Zeroed in 3 rounds, then dope checked 150 and 200.
Now to check the ground and bait stations for this evenings activities - Rabbits and Fox.

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Something I’ve always been told is that a 22lr will scare away squirrels…”you’ll get one but the rest will vanish and not come back”. Well the video in this post shows that isn’t always the case.

The miss was simple human error. That morning the wind was 15+ left to right, so I dialled the windage accordingly…but forgot to take it off again when the wind dropped - squirrel was lucky and due to laughing I couldn’t settle for a follow up 😂
It was dealt with sometime later.
The rimfire also didn’t worry the Roe Buck that wandered out some 15 yards away.
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Been putting the BMR 22LR to work the last few days by reducing the grey squirrel population.
With the canopy and understory getting thicker it may be the last few before we move onto the rabbits in the soon to be barley fields and wood pigeons in the maize fields.
We’ve not been in a rush to start Roe Bucks yet, but we will soon enough.
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Recently I had the opportunity to purchase a scope for the 308 Approach Estate rifle…it was an offer that I couldn’t refuse, especially when it is a piece of history…a S&B 8x56 West German! Old school!

Unfortunately finding Warne Mountain Tech rings in burnt bronze is like finding a needle in a stack of needles in the U.K…so went with the tried and trusted Maxima fixed.
Now just need to zero this bit of hunting history and put it to work.
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So today I headed down to The Stalking Show.
Have to say, very impressed with the show and the atmosphere.
Was great catching up with friends, some good laughs and banter!
The brands, dealers and distributors pulled out all the stops and had some incredible products and deals on!
Can’t wait for the Northern Shooting Show 👍
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Having far too much fun with this BMR! Had to go the shop again for ammo 😂

Purpose build, rimfire proof squirrel feeders deployed today and topped off with nuts. Give it a few days then it’s “squirrel-geddon ” 🤭
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Recently myself and “Mrs Mac Outdoors” got an invite to speak to the Police Cadets about firearm safety, handling, country sports and wildlife management.

It was so much fun chatting to and answering questions that the Police Cadets and their Leaders had for us…there were a lot of laughs too!

We have extended an invitation to them to get some hands on experience on one of the estates we manage in the local area and over the coming weeks and months they will be assisting with habitat creation and management, planting of cover crops, wildflowers and learning how the management of species and forest helps ecosystems thrive.

We would also like to congratulate all the Cadets that were promoted that evening 👏👍👍

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So the other day I picked up my new Bergara BMR Carbon from Malmo Guns. They went above and beyond, as usual, ordering in a new Hausken MD35 MKII for me.
So after picking up the rifle, rings, moderator and various ammo for testing, I took it down to my club range to get a feel for it and see how it shoots at 25m…needless to say it shot amazing, especially the RWS Special Match.
So today I took it out into the field for some further distances and to zero at 50 and get my dope for 75 and 100.
The next steps for this rifle will be squirrels, rabbits and some night time rats. Once I’ve gotten comfortable with it, I’ll start doing some training and picking up some gear from Precision Shooting Store…as both the Mrs and myself want to have a go at the NRL22 shoot at Silverstone Shooting Centre… wonder if Ryan Charlton fancies training us in exchange for wagon wheels and Haribo 🤔🤭
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