Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More! (John McAdams)

Today Mark Huelsing from Exo Mountain Gear and the Hunt Backcountry Podcast is on the show with us to talk about his recent Dall Sheep hunt up in Alaska. As you’ll learn here shortly, that hunt was quite the adventure with lots of emotional ups and downs along the way. He eventually got it done and tagged a great looking sheep on his hunt, but that whole experience seemed like a giant roller coaster ride and sounds like it really tested the limits of human endurance as well.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Hunting Guns 101: If you enjoy these cartridge comparison episodes, then you will love Hunting Guns 101 because it’s full of the same sort of information contained in these episodes, just with even more detail and analysis. Hunting Guns 101 is jam packed with useful information about practical ballistics and firearms in general that will help you be more successful afield and fill more tags on your hunts. 

This training will teach you what you need to know about practical ballistics and is guaranteed to be both a time and money saver going forward with future gear purchases. Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access.

Resources

Ep 92: Dan Roland On Dall Sheep Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 168: Steve Speck On Bighorn Sheep Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 174: Joseph von Benedikt On Bighorn Sheep Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 201: Sheep Hunting 101 With Ron Spomer – Podcast referenced in episode

1) Exo Mountain Gear Instagram Page

2) Check out The Hunt Backcountry Podcast that Mark Steve co-hosts with Steve Speck on Apple Podcasts

3) Web Site For Exo Mountain Gear

4) Click the link below to see a photo of Mark and his Dall sheep.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/dall-sheep-hunting-mark-huelsing/

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/turkeyhunting101rayeyemarkstrand/

Show Sponsor: Please make sure you’re subscribed to the Big Game Hunting Podcast. It’s free to do so, you’ll get all my future episodes delivered to you every Thursday when they come out, and subscribing really helps me out with the podcast algorithms to reach other hunters who are searching for this sort of content. So, pause this episode right now and then hit that “Subscribe” button on whatever podcast service you’re listening to.

What We Covered

1) Why turkey are so addictive to hunt.

2) How to identify good turkey habitat.

3) Brief overview of turkey calling and where new hunters should focus their efforts when first getting started.

4) Why it's so important to roost turkeys and how to do so.

5) What shotgun set-up Ray and Mark recommend for turkey hunting.

6) A brief overview of how to scout a brand new area for turkey, find the birds there, and close the deal with a Tom.

Resources

1) Learn more about how to hunt turkey at Rayeye.com.

2) Support Mark Strand on Patreon.

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/sportsmansbox2020/

Show Sponsor: The Sportsman's Box. Enter promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER for 20% off your first order of high quality hunting gear shipped straight to your door each month. Sportsman's Box is a GREAT gift for hunters, regardless of whether they're new to the sport or have been hunting for years.

Learn more about Sportsman's Box here: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/sportsmans-box-review/

What We Covered

1) How Sportsman's Box got started.

2) How the Sportsman's Box works.

3) What sort of items hunters might receive in their monthly Sportsman's Box subscription.

4) Examples of items received in Sportsman's Box subscriptions that have been especially useful.

5) Description of the other benefits of a Sportsman's Box membership.

6) The different membership levels and delivery schedule the Sportsman's Box offers.

Resources

I'm such a big believer in the Sportsman's Box that I've added it to my list of the best gifts for hunters. See what else made the cut at the link below.

101 Best Gifts For Hunters In 2020

Show Sponsor

Head over to SportsmansBox.com to sign up for a new membership. By doing so, you'll get regular deliveries of high quality hunting gear tailored to your specific needs and desires as a hunter.

You'll receive a significant discount off the regular prices for everything you get in your regular box. Plus, use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get 20% off your first purchase.

I released that very first episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast just over 5 years ago all the way back in 2019. My goodness it has been quite a ride! I’ve learned a lot, connected with some fantastic people, and enjoyed some amazing experiences along the way. Thank you for your support over these past 5 years! This particular episode is a Q&A session where I’ll go through a number of listener submitted questions I’ve received over the past few weeks. I do this show specifically for my audience and I can't think of a better way to help celebrate my 5 year anniversary than focusing on answering user submitted questions. 

Today is also your LAST CHANCE to enter the anniversary giveaway.

Email nominations for the grand prize of a hunt in Africa to: john@thebigamehuntingblog.com using subject line "Africa Hunt Giveaway" and tell me why you think that veteran deserves a hunt in Africa.

Submit nominations no later than 11:59pm Central time on 9 May 2024

All listeners have a chance at winning the other prizes we're giving away in celebration through a random draw: a set of AXIL XCOR ear buds, a Bergara Crest in 300 Win Mag, a Mossberg Patriot rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, 100 rounds of Nosler Trophy Grade ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor loaded with 140gr Partition bullets, an autographed copy of Kevin' Robertson's book The Perfect Shot II, a Meadowlark hunting knife from Siembida Custom Knives, a Banish 30 suppressor from Silencer Central, and one of five Javelin Lite Bipods from Spartan Precision.

To enter the random drawing for everything besides the grand prize, click here and sign up.

For additional entries in the random draw, make sure you’re subscribed to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on whatever app you listen to the show on and leave a rating and/or a review for the show there as well.

Email screenshots showing you are subscribed to the podcast and have left a rating and/or a review to john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com (use subject line “Podcast Giveaway”) to receive additional entries in the giveaway.

If you subscribed or left me a rating/review months or years ago, just email me a screenshot of your old review and showing you’re subscribed and I’ll give you an additional entry.

Next, please follow my Instagram account, then comment and tag a friend in each of the upcoming posts I’ll be sharing over the next month promoting the items my generous sponsors have donated to the giveaway. You’ll receive additional entries for each friend you tag in a comment.

You can also support me on Patreon as a free or a paying member for an additional entry in the giveaway (no purchase required). Paying members will also receive all the bonus material I’ve published in Patreon like members only videos and episodes, access to occasional question and answer sessions, etc.

The deadline to enter the giveaway is 11:59pm Central time on 9 May 2024

I'm doing a special giveaway for the upcoming 200th episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast. Listen for details on how to enter as well as information on my upcoming meet and greet with Kevin Robertson at Conroe Taxidermy on 7 May 2022. The event is FREE to attend, but please RSVP here and vote for the topic you'd like Kevin to talk about.

Next, support me through Patreon here. I will record Kevin's talks at the event and Patreon supporters will be able to consume those recordings online. In addition to these presentations, I will be providing bonus content to Patreon supporters in the future.

Subscribe to my Patreon channel or RSVP to and attend the upcoming event to enter in the giveaway for an autographed copy of The Perfect Shot II.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/giveaway-and-special-announcements/

Today we're going to discuss a pretty old cartridge that’s still quite capable under certain conditions: the 35 Remington. It’s still hanging around, but I’d say that it’s one of the most under-rated brush cartridges in North America today.

Well, we're going to discuss why this is the case today.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Show notes:  https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/35remington/

Related blog post: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/35-remington/

Today’s episode is a detailed comparison of the 338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester so you can make an informed decision regarding which one will work best for you.

338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester - Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 308 Ammo For Hunting – 308 Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting – Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings – Rifle sling recommendations

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/338fedvs308winvs358win/

Today I want to talk about an often overlooked way you can improve your odds of getting access to some great hunting opportunities like that: hunting with a muzzleloader. I first started muzzleloader hunting about 10 years ago and doing so has opened up a lot of doors for me. Especially with all the people that are either picking up hunting for the first time or returning to the sport after a prolonged absence, 2021 is a great year to start hunting with a muzzleloader as a way of getting away from crowds.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/muzzleloader-hunting/

Show Sponsor: Sign up for the Muzzleloaders 101 course at muzzleloaders101.com/buy and I’ll take you by the hand and guide you through the whole process of getting started hunting with a muzzleloader. I’ll help you decide what gear you need, help you SAVE money when you buy that gear, and teach you how to use all that stuff safely and effectively. 

Muzzleloader Recommendations:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-muzzleloaders/

 https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-long-range-muzzleloaders/

What We Covered

1) Story of how I first got into hunting with a muzzleloader.

2) Brief overview of how muzzleloader hunting can expand your opportunities to go afield.

3) Why there is less hunting pressure during muzzleloader season.

4) How hunting with a muzzleloader can make it easier for you to draw limited entry tags.

5) Why muzzleloader hunting is so darn fun.

6) How you can get started hunting with a muzzleloader in 2021.

Show Sponsor

The Muzzleloaders 101 course is an all-in-one solution where I’ll take you by the hand and guide you through the whole process of getting started hunting with a muzzleloader. I’ll help you decide what gear you need, help you SAVE money when you buy that gear, and teach you how to use all that stuff safely and effectively. Plus, we’re giving away a FREE muzzleloader to 1 of the first 100 people who sign up for the course.

Nowhere else will you find such a comprehensive resource for learning how to use a muzzleloader where you can also save some serious money getting outfitted. I normally charge $47 for the course, but I’m offering the course at a discount right now to all listeners of the Big Game Hunting Podcast. Sign-up while the offer is still valid and you can get lifetime access to everything for a one time payment of $35.

Head on over to muzzleloaders101.com/buy and sign up for instant access.

It’s September now and that means that fall is right around the corner. Hunting seasons are starting to open, so I want to shift gears a bit and talk about hunting bear in the fall this week and next week. Today we have Phil Churchill on the show with us we’re going to talk about black bear hunting with hounds in the northeast states of New Hampshire and Maine.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/philipchurchillblackbearhuntingwithhounds/

Show Sponsor:  Hunting Guns 101: Learn the essential information about practical ballistics, hunting firearms, and ammunition that will improve your odds of success on future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/form.

What We Covered

1) Where Philip hunted bear, what time of year he hunted, and how got his bear tags.

2) Story of Philip's Maine black bear hunt.

3) Story of Philip's New Hampshire black bear hunt.

4) What firearm set-up he used on each hunt.

5) What kind of and how many dogs he used on each hunt.

6) Other equipment he considers essential for these hunts.

7) How the meat from those bears tasted.

Show Sponsor

Purchase the Hunting Guns 101 online training and you'll learn the essentials of practical ballistics and what firearms, sighting systems, cartridges, and ammunition you should be using on your future hunts to improve your odds of success afield. Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access or go to huntingguns101.com/order to learn more about the training.

It’s been awhile since we’ve done a rifle company profile. With that in mind, RJ Contorno is joining us on the show today to talk about Savage Arms. We’re going to talk about the entire line of Savage’s centerfire rifles from the Axis to the 110 and everything in between. I learned a few things about Savage myself during this interview, and I’m sure you will too.

Learn more at SavageArms.com and check out their Special Order Department if you're looking for a special rifle they don't offer in their catalog.

Show Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/savage-arms/

The Savage AXIS is a capable, yet surprisingly reasonably priced hunting rifle. Learn more about the Axis and other rifles in that price class here: Best Hunting Rifles Under $500

I talk about hunting in Africa all the time on this podcast. This ranges from me talking about my experiences over there to interviewing guys like Kevin Robertson who have way more knowledge and experience in Africa than I do. Today, I’m taking a slightly different tack and interviewing a podcast listener who went on his first hunt in Africa in late 2021.

Brant Benoit is a long-time podcast listener from Georgia and he contacted me in 2020 about booking a hunt in South Africa through my company Big Game Hunting Adventures. He hunted in August-September of 2021, had a great safari, and has some excellent stories and lessons learned to share with you guys. We talk about the process from start to finish from that initial email enquiry, to booking flights, preparing mentally and physically for the hunt, doing rifle import paperwork, to the hunt itself. We also talk about a few lessons Brant learned along the way and some things he wished he knew before he went over there.

Follow me on Instagram (@thebiggamehunter_) to see the photo of Brant's bushbuck with the missing hoof.

Show Sponsor:  Big Game Hunting Adventures The special offer mentioned in the podcast is valid for all hunts that take place during the 2022 calendar year at our new camp. We have availability during May, October, and November 2022. We also have plenty of openings in 2023. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to take advantage of this special offer. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast!

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/first-africa-hunting-safari/

I have Eric Miller on the show with me today to talk about Federal's brand new 7mm Backcountry rifle cartridge. As you’ll learn here shortly, the 7 Backcountry utilizes an innovative design that produces some impressive ballistics and it could possibly be a true game changer that kills off my beloved 7mm PRC.

Learn more about the 7mm Backcountry here

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We have 2 openings remaining for 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more. 

I have request for your assistance with an upcoming project. I’m planning an episode on December where I discuss so called “bullet failures.” I have a couple of examples I have experienced myself I’ll share with you in that episode, but I’d also like to do some crowd sourcing on this topic as well and share some noteworthy examples from the audience.

Have you ever had a bullet truly fail you on an animal?

If so, please email me john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com and share the details on what happened.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

Kevin Robertson is back again to talk about hunting Africa with lever action rifles. While lever-action rifles are great for some applications, they're not great for others and, for various reasons, they've never really caught on with the general hunting community in Africa. We talk about why that's the case, the pros and cons of lever action rifles, the situations they're best suited for, and which cartridges meet the minimum requirements for hunting plains and dangerous game in Africa.

Show Sponsor: Be sure to sign up for my email list at huntingguns101.com. You’ll get my free E-book when you do so and you’ll also receive the email updates I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails. I talk about all sorts of things in my emails: cartridge and bullet selection, hunting in Africa, funny hunting stories, etc. I also send an in stock email update every Friday to everyone on the list with some of the latest news on ammo I've found and where you can get it.

I highly recommend purchasing a copy of It Shouldn't Happen and The Perfect Shot II. If you have an upcoming hunt or if you just want to learn more about game in Africa and want a great "all in one" reference, you will not be disappointed with either book. Go to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/kevin to get copies of each one.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/lever-action-rifles-for-hunting-africa-with-kevin-robertson/

It’s really important to take care of your feet, especially when you’re doing a bunch of hiking.  After all, your feet are your primary mode of transportation on many hunting adventures. It’s really easy to get some blisters on your feet if you're not careful, which is a recipe for a NOT fun hunt. 

So here are a few things I’ve learned over the years about how to take care of your feet so you can focus on enjoying your hunt.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/footcaretipsforhunters/

Article Referenced In Show: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm-08 Remington Review & Comparison 

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Ammo – 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles– 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Rifle Recommendations

Best 7mm-08 Ammo – 7mm-08 Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Hunting Rifle Sling Recommendations

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/65creedmoorvs7mm08remington/

Show Sponsor: Head over to goHunt.com and sign up for an INSIDER membership to get the information YOU need to craft a plan to fulfill your dream hunt out west. Use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get $50 in store credit at their gear shop. 

What We Covered

1) History of the 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 Remington cartridges.

2) How the cartridges compare to each other in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Compare ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge.

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

Due in part to all the craziness going on these days, more people are hunting than ever before and using a muzzleloader can give you unique access to special seasons and hunting areas where hunting pressure is lower. Hunting with a muzzleloader is also a really fulfilling and enjoyable way to enjoy the outdoors and expand your hunting opportunities.

Fortunately, the Muzzleloaders 101 course makes learning to hunt with a muzzleloader easier than ever!

The Muzzleloaders 101 course is an all-in-one solution where I’ll take you by the hand and guide you through the whole process of getting started hunting with a muzzleloader. I’ll help you decide what gear you need, help you SAVE money when you buy that gear, and teach you how to use all that stuff safely and effectively. Plus, we’re giving away a FREE muzzleloader to 1 of the first 100 people who sign up for the course.

Head on over to muzzleloaders101.com/buy and sign up for instant access.

As promised, I have a more comprehensive recap of my west Texas sandhill crane hunt with several podcast listeners. Unlike the previous episode, it’s just me in this one and I’ll talk about my experience in more detail, to include some reflections on how my equipment performed.

Subscribe to my Patreon channel to see video from this hunt before I release it elsewhere. Additionally, Patreon subscribers will hear about any potential future podcast hunts before the general public and will also receive first priority on available spots.

Message me through Patreon or email me at  john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you're interested in potentially joining me on a hunt in the future for sandhill crane (or some other type of hunt) with some other podcast listeners.

Show Sponsor: If you’re a serious hunter looking for a true African hunting adventure, get in touch with me to make that dream come true at our new camp in South Africa's Limpopo Province. We have limited availability during June, July, August, September, October, and November 2023. We also have limited availability in 2024. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast to a special bonus!

Ep 238: 2023 Sandhill Crane Podcast Hunt Part 1 – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 185: Sandhill Crane Hunting 101 With Austin Petree – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 173: Sandhill Crane Hunting, Steve Rinella, & Me – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 172: Elk Hunting With A 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag With Mark Floyd – Episode referenced in podcast

Mossberg 940 Pro Field Shotgun Review: What You Need To Know- Learn more about the Mossberg 940 Pro Field

Winchester Bismuth Shotshells: Your Complete Guide- Learn more about Winchester's new bismuth waterfowl ammo

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/sandhill-crane-podcast-hunt-part-2

Cable Smith from the Lone Star Outdoor Show joined me on this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast. He went on a nilgai hunt in south Texas last year and is going to tell us all about this little known species and the cool nilgai hunting opportunities that are available in the great state of Texas!

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/cablesmithnilgai

Show sponsor: Big Game Hunting Adventures. Say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for special pricing on your hunt!

There are lots of hunting outfitters in Africa to choose from. While many are very good, there are some really bad apples that you'll really want to avoid. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help separate the good from the bad and choose the right outfitter for your dream Africa hunting safari.

In this episode, I'll go over some tips and tricks you can use to find a good right hunting outfitter for an African safari. While some of the things I’ll be talking about in this episode are specific to hunting in Africa, many of these tips and tricks are applicable to booking a guided hunt anywhere in the world.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/choosehuntingoutfitter/

Learn more about Big Game Hunting Adventures and the hunt we sponsored for a Marine veteran wounded in Iraq.

Today we’re going to dip our toe into some of the incredible hunting opportunities that are available in Alaska and hopefully provide a little insight into how to get started planning a hunt up there. We’re joined again by Jake Downs who has also done a bit of hunting up in Alaska, both with an outfitter and on self-guided hunts.

Here are a few things you need to know about hunting in Alaska before you start planning a hunt.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/jakedownsalaska/

Scott Spanton is a long-time podcast listener from Australia and he has hunted in South Africa Big Game Hunting Adventures twice: once in April of 2022 and once in October of 2023. For that reason, Scott has a unique perspective on what it’s like hunting very early in the hunting season vs very late in the hunting season. Plus, he used rifles in 7mm Rem Mag and 300 WSM on these hunts and can share some personal experiences on how those two cartridges worked over there. We also talk about a few lessons Scott learned along the way and share some of the more memorable aspects of each hunt.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! 

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for a special bonus!

Learn more cartridges and ammunition that are best suited for hunting various species of African plains game.

How to fill out the SAPS 520 form (which you'll need to do if you're hunting or transiting South Africa and bringing a rifle)

Resources

Follow my account (@thebiggamehunter_) and the Big Game Hunting Adventures account (@biggamehuntingadventures) on Instagram to see the photo of Scott’s waterbuck.

Article Referenced In Show: 300 PRC: Read This Before You Buy One

300 PRC vs 338 Lapua 

Best 300 Win Mag Ammo– 300 Win Mag Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 300 Win Mag Rifles – 300 Win Mag Hunting Rifle Recommendations

Best 300 PRC Ammo – 300 PRC Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Bipods - Hunting Rifle Bipod Recommendations

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/300prcvs300winmag/

Show Sponsor: Go to huntingguns101.com to receive specific rifle, cartridge, ammo, and scope recommendations tailored to YOUR specific hunting needs as well as access to our EXCLUSIVE Facebook community and EXCLUSIVE discounts on certain outfitted hunts Big Game Hunting Adventures in Africa or Canada.

What We Covered

1) History of the 300 Precision Rifle Cartridge.

2) How the cartridges compare to each other in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Compare ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

If you want to join a community where you can have these sorts discussions with other veteran hunters who have been there and done that, then you NEED to checkout huntingguns101.com. 

There, you’ll receive some specific rifle, cartridge, ammo, and scope recommendations tailored to YOUR specific hunting needs regardless of whether you want to hunt deer or pronghorn in the lower 48, moose in Alaska, or cape buffalo in Africa. 

You’ll also get access to a Facebook community EXCLUSIVELY for Big game Hunting Podcast listeners where you can get regular access to ME as well as lots of other experienced hunters and shooters who can answer your questions and give you feedback.

And to top it all off, members receive EXCLUSIVE discounts on outfitted hunts through Big Game Hunting Adventures. Booking just ONE hunt will MORE than cover what it costs to join the group! 

In fact, you get so much useful stuff from joining the community that I’m practically giving it all way considering what I’m charging for it.

Head on over to huntingguns101.com and sign up. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in our Facebook group!

Long-time podcast listener Austin Brown joined me on the show today to talk about his recent roe deer and chamois hunt with Joseph von Benedikt in Spain. As you’ll learn here shortly, they had an incredible adventure hunting two iconic species of European game in some absolutely stunning country. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows though and they had to deal with some unexpected challenges and adversity on that hunt.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Follow Austin on Instagram at abrownsf007

Ep 218: Layton Norwood On Auodad Hunting - Podcast referenced in episode

270 vs 280 vs 280 AI vs 7mm Rem Mag Cartridge Comparison - Article referenced in episode

260 vs 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Swede Cartridge Comparison - Article referenced in episode

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/roe-deer-chamois-in-spain-austin-brown

Finding a spot to hunt can be really tough, but fortunately, there are some good products out there that can help you find a productive hunting spot on public land. With all that in mind, today we’re joined by Dylan Dowson from onX Hunt, who is going to give us an overview of onX Hunt, the improvements they’ve made to the product in recent years, and some good tips on how you can use onX Hunt to find a place to hunt and help you fulfill your hunting dreams.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/onxmaps/

Join me, the two podcast listeners who I hunted with in Africa, and 2 of our PHs for an informal "campfire style" discussion of the highlights of our safari!

Subscribe to my Patreon channel to see video from this hunt before I release it elsewhere. Additionally, Patreon subscribers will hear about any potential future podcast hunts before the general public and will also receive first priority on available spots.

Message me through Patreon or email me at  john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you're interested in potentially joining me on a hunt in the future with some other podcast listeners.

Like we said a couple times on the podcast, don’t wait to hunt in Africa if that’s something you want to do. There’s no guarantee that you’ll have the time, money, or physical ability to hunt if you put things off for a year or two. As I record this, we actually have TWO slots remaining for hunts in August and September 2023. I’m also offering reduced pricing on those openings as well.

I won’t be there to hunt with you, but you’ll be hunting with Kobus, Christian, and/or Johan in that exact same area where Michael, Fernando, and I all hunted. And even though I wont be there in person, just like I did with Mike and Fernando, I’ll also be available to you to help answer questions, sort out logistics, and just do everything possible to ensure your mind is at ease and that you have a fun trip. You can hunt plains game. You can hunt buffalo. You can hunt both if you’d like.

Email me john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com OR visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn a little bit more about these hunts (prices there do not reflect the discount I mentioned earlier). Make sure to state that you’re a podcast listener and I’ll give you a bonus above and beyond the regular discount if you book for 2023.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/live-from-south-africa-2023/

http://www.ksbiggamehunting.com/

In this episode we’re going to talk about the 450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM, and 50 Beowulf. Those are the three most popular choices for those looking for a big bore cartridge to use in an AR-15. All are capable performers, but there are some situations where it really makes sense to use certain ones in particular. In today’s episode, I’m going to discuss the pros and cons of the 450 Bushmaster vs 458 SOCOM vs 50 Beowulf so you can make an informed decision on which one is best for you.

Article Referenced In Show: 450 Bushmaster vs 458 SOCOM vs 50 Beowulf

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/450-bushmaster-vs-458-socom-vs-50-beowulf/

Show Sponsor: Trusted my millions – HuntStand offers revolutionary mapping abilities, detailed weather information, national property ownership data for the United States AND Canada, Monthly Satellite Imagery, scouting camera management, 3d maps, ultra-high-resolution map printing services, and much more. Go to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/huntstand and use promo code BIGGAMEUNTER for 10% off your first year of HuntStand PRO.

Hunting Guns 101: If you enjoy these cartridge comparison episodes, then you will Love Hunting Guns 101 because it’s full of the same sort of information contained in these episodes, just with even more detail and analysis. Hunting Guns 101 is jam packed with useful information about practical ballistics and firearms in general that will help you be more successful afield and fill more tags on your hunts. Go to huntingguns101.com/form for instant access.

What We Covered

1) History of the 450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM, and 50 Beowulf cartridges.

2) How the cartridges compare to each other in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Comparison ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge.

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

Are you in the market for a new hunting rifle? Be sure to purchase Hunting Guns 101 FIRST in order to fast-forward your understanding about the hunting guns and ammo you should consider for the type of hunting you plan on doing in the near future. This training will teach you what you need to know about practical ballistics and is guaranteed to be both a time and money saver going forward with future gear purchases.

You'll also learn things like:

• What you need to know about 2 extremely important, but often overlooked aspects of bullet performance on game.
• A vital lesson new hunters can learn from the life altering mistake made by one of the founding fathers of premium ammunition.
• Why you're playing with fire by using your favorite deer hunting ammo on an elk hunt (even if it shoots accurately), and what you should shoot instead.
• What you need to know about some little known hunting regulations that will help you avoid unpleasant interactions with game wardens if you're hunting in 5 specific states.
• The dangerous (and expensive) mistake many hunters make when selecting a scope for their hunting rifle.
• 2 clever tricks that can help you shoot more accurately with heavier recoiling cartridges.
• And much more.

Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access or go to huntingguns101.com/orderto learn more about the training.

Brandon Maddox, the owner and CEO of Silencer Central, joined me on this episode to talk about the ins and outs of silencers. We talk about the pros and cons of hunting with a silencer, how to get one, and how Silencer Central has revolutionized the process of obtaining a silencer to make the process as easy and as fast as possible. As I like to do, we dig deep into the details of both the legal side of suppressor ownership (to include traveling with one), the logistics of silencers like barrel threading, silencer maintenance, and the new E-Forms the ATF just started accepting that should make the process much faster than it used to be.

Show sponsor: If you want to start this suppressor journey yourself and come along with me, go to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/silencer and you can get the ball rolling on your very own suppressor with Silencer Central where they’ll help you with all the paperwork, set you up with a free NFA gun trust, and then ship your new suppressor directly to your door once they receive ATF approval. 

Silencer Central Banish 30 Review – Article referenced in podcast

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/suppressors-101/

What We Covered

1) Background on Brandon and how he got into the Silencer business.

2) Silencer vs suppressor

3) States where suppressors are legal to own and legal to hunt with.

4) The benefits of hunting and shooting with a suppressor.

5) How much suppressors actually reduce sound.

6) Recommended maintenance of a suppressor.

7) Legal process for purchasing a suppressor, how Silencer Central can make that process easier, and what the future might hold on that front.

8) Benefits of using a trust to purchase a suppressor.

9) Things to keep in mind when traveling with a suppressor to a different state as well as a different country and what happens when you move.

With the start of hunting season, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about how to glass for game. Proper glassing techniques will help you on virtually any big game hunt, but this is an especially important skill on the pronghorn, mule deer, and coues deer hunts I’ll be on this year. I guarantee that on many hunts, there’s a lot of game out there you simply will not see, and therefore can’t hunt, if you don’t know how to glass. So, today I’m going to share a few tips and techniques you can do to take your glassing game to the next level.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/howtoglassformuledeerandelk/

Hi, I'm John McAdams, and I want to thank you for joining me on the very first episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast. If you've always dreamed about going on some sort of hunting adventure, this podcast is the perfect resource for you to turn those dreams into reality. Twice a week we’ll discuss everything from where you need to go to hunt various species, how to find an honest hunting outfitter, how to choose the best gear, and much more.

Visit BigGameHuntingPodcast.com for more information.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/introductionpodcast/

Today we’re going to talk about 2 22 caliber cartridges designed for use in America’s favorite gun in the AR-15 platform: the 223 Remington and the 22 ARC. As always, we’ll discuss the overall design characteristics and performance specs of each round, then compare how they stack up next to each other. I’ll also cover how they each perform in some ballistic gel tests and discuss some interesting aspects of how they each performed at the range. 

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: I’m giving away 2 boxes of Barnes VOR-TX LR ammo for the 6.5 Creedmoor loaded with the 127gr Barnes LRX bullet.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for this ammo. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. Anyone over the age of 21 who is not otherwise prohibited form possessing a firearm, and who lives in a state I can ship to is eligible to enter.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 11 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 12 December to receive both boxes. 

Resources

223 vs 22 ARC: New Hot Rod? Or Old Reliable – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 223 Remington Ammo For Hunting - 223 Remington hunting ammo recommendations

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Gary Morgan is back on the show with me again today to talk about another subject I know next to nothing about: bobcat hunting. These feline predators are a whole different ball of wax when compared to hunting other predators, like coyote. Gary does a lot of hunting up in Michigan for a number of species, to include bobcat and that's what we’re going to talk about today.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Learn more about Gary Morgan and his bobcat hunts here.

Give him a call at 989-245-0137 or email him at gary@wildgamedynasty.com

Ep 212: Gary Morgan on Osceola Turkey Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

204 Ruger vs 223 vs 22-250 vs 220 Swift Cartridge Comparison – Article referenced in episode

22-250 vs 223-Article Referenced In Episode

22 Magnum Ammo Review – Article referenced in episode

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/gary-morgan-bobcat-hunting/

What's are the best Africa hunting bullets? We’re joined by Dr. Kevin Robertson in this episode and he’s going to share his thoughts on some of the best bullets for hunting in Africa for plains game, lion, leopard, and cape buffalo.
Africa is a very large and diverse continent with a wide variety of game to match. However, Kevin has lots of real world experience afield in Africa and he literally wrote the book on shot placement and bullet selection on African game.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/kevinrobertson/

Show Sponsor: Buy copies of Kevin's books at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/kevin. Both books are fantastic resources for preparing for a hunt in Africa.

What We Covered

1) Stories of how things can go wrong when a hunter uses an inappropriate bullet on both plains game and cape buffalo.

2) Characteristics Kevin prioritizes when choosing the right bullet for plains game, lion, leopard, and cape buffalo.

3) Specific hunting bullet recommendations for the various species of game in Africa.

4) A couple of stories where things went right on a hunt that demonstrate just how impressive the performance of some high quality bullets can be these days.

Resources

1) The Perfect Shot and Africa's Most Dangerous. Kevin wrote both of these books and I highly recommend purchasing copies of each if you think you might want to hunt in Africa one day. They contain a wealth of knowledge about the natural history of the major species of African game, cartridge recommendations, bullet recommendations, tips on shot placement, and general information about hunting in Africa. You can also purchase a pocket-sized mini edition of the Perfect Shot to take along as a reference on a hunt. Get copies of them all at https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/kevin

2) His books are also available directly from Safari Press.

3) Kevin's Web Site: DrKevinRobertson.com 

I have a cartridge comparison for you today where we compare two very popular rounds: the tried and true 300 Winchester Magnum and the newest kid on the block with the 7mm PRC. Which one is the better choice for you? Well, that’s we'll discuss in this episode where I investigate the pros and cons of the 300 Win Mag and 7mm PRC in detail so you can make an informed decision on which one will work best for your individual needs.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you’re afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earbuds to purchase a set of the new AXIL XCOR earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide excellent hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you’ll also get the best pricing on them in the process through that link.

Resources

7mm PRC vs 300 Win Mag: Ultimate Guide – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 300 Win Mag Ammo For Hunting - 300 Win Mag hunting ammo recommendations

Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting – 7mm PRC Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 300 Win Mag Rifles For Hunting - 300 Win Mag hunting rifle recommendations

Best 7mm PRC Rifles For Hunting - 7mm PRC hunting rifle recommendations

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/300-win-mag-vs-7mm-prc/

I discuss all of the 7mm CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode. As always, I’ll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I’ll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well.

Cartridges covered: 7x57, 7x64mm Brenneke, 280 Remington, 280 Ackley Improved, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7x61 Sharpe & Hart, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW, 7mm STE, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08 Remington, 284 Winchester, 7mm WSM, 7 SAUM, 7mm RUM, 28 Nosler, 7mm PRC

Learn more about the rounds I discuss in this episode in Ron Spomer's excellent book 7mm Cartridges From Around The World

Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Resources

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

7mm Mauser: A Classic Hunting Masterpiece - Article referenced in podcast

7mm PRC: Complete Guide To Hornady's New Cartridge - Article referenced in podcast

7-30 Waters: What You Need To Know - Article referenced in podcast

7mm Rem Mag vs 300 Win Mag - Article referenced in podcast

243 vs 7mm-08 vs 308 - Article referenced in podcast

6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm-08 - Article referenced in podcast

270 vs 280 vs 280 AI vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

30-06 vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

270 vs 7mm-08 - Article referenced in podcast

270 vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

6.8 Western vs 28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

6.8 Western vs 7mm PRC - Article referenced in podcast

7mm PRC vs 28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

In this episode, we’ll be talking about a subject that’s really important for all hunters, but doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: taking care of wild game meat.

With that in mind, today we’re joined by Mark Norquist from The Modern Carnivore. He'll give us an overview of some easy steps that hunters can take to take care of the meat from wild game at the site of the kill, how to transport it back home, and a few easy to make (but still delicious) wild game recipes that will all help you more fully enjoy that aspect of the hunt.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/marknorquist

Joe Thompson is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series to talk about his hair raising leopard hunt in Zimbabwe last year. As you’ll learn here shortly, there was a lot of drama associated with this hunt, especially at the beginning. As Ferris Bueller once said, life comes at you pretty fast and that’s exactly what happened to Joe on this leopard hunt.

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunt for November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. 

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Global Rescue Travel & Medical Evacuation Insurance- I personally always get medical evacuation and travel insurance through Global Rescue for all of my hunts in Africa and I highly recommend you do so as well.

Resources

Ep 293: Leopard Hunting With Phil Massaro In Zimbabwe 

Ep 158: Leopard Hunting With Gavin Lipjes

Ep 154: Leopard Hunting With Kevin Robertson

We have Evan Siembida from Siembida Custom knives with us on the podcast today to talk about everything knife related: the difference between a custom knife and a mass produced knife, what makes his knife special, the ins and outs of sharpening knives, blade and handle materials, etc. We also talk about a few things you should NEVER do to a hunting knife, especially a high end knife. 

Show Sponsor: Be sure to sign up for my email list at huntingguns101.com. You’ll get my free E-book when you do so and you’ll also receive the email updates I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails. I talk about all sorts of things in my emails: cartridge and bullet selection, hunting in Africa, funny hunting stories, etc. I also send an in stock email update every Friday to everyone on the list with some of the latest news on ammo I’ve found and where you can get it.

Resources

Contact Evan on Instagram at Siembida_Custom_Knives or call him at 740-270-9057

Everyone who purchases Hunting Guns 101 or Muzzleloaders 101 will receive a special code they can redeem with Evan to get a special bonus with their knife for free.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/hunting-knives-101-with-evan-siembida/

I just made it home from a fantastic hunt over in west Texas for sandhill crane with several podcast listeners. Today’s episode is a short “campfire style” discussion of the highlights of day 1 of the hunt from everyone who joined me there. I’m about to record a more detailed recap of the hunt that you’ll receive in a few days, but I wanted to get this out to you as soon as possible because I know a lot of listeners have been very excited to hear how our hunt went.

Subscribe to my Patreon channel to see video from this hunt before I release it elsewhere. Additionally, Patreon subscribers will hear about any potential future podcast hunts before the general public and will also receive first priority on available spots.

Message me through Patreon or email me at  john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you're interested in potentially joining me on a hunt in the future for sandhill crane (or some other type of hunt) with some other podcast listeners.

Ep 185: Sandhill Crane Hunting 101 With Austin Petree – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 173: Sandhill Crane Hunting, Steve Rinella, & Me – Episode referenced in podcast

Mossberg 940 Pro Field Shotgun Review: What You Need To Know- Learn more about the Mossberg 940 Pro Field

Winchester Bismuth Shotshells: Your Complete Guide- Learn more about Winchester's new bismuth waterfowl ammo

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/crane-podcast-hunt-part-1/

In this episode, I interviewed Brad Watts of Muzzle-Loaders.com and we discussed hunting with a muzzleloader in detail. We discussed the different types of muzzleloaders, the capabilities and limitations of modern muzzleloaders, the advantages of hunting with a muzzleloader, some specific muzzleloader equipment recommendations, and what states offer particularly good muzzleloader hunting opportunities.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/bradwatts/ ‎

I have Chris Parish and Leland Brown from the North American Non-Lead Partnership on the show with me today to talk about hunting with non-lead ammunition. I’m a big advocate of hunting with certain non-lead bullets because they work so darn well. That said, I realize this is something of a sticky subject. To be clear, Chris and Leland are proponents of educating and incentivizing hunters to use non-lead ammunition (NOT requiring it). So, I’d like you to approach this interview with an open mind and listen to what they have to say about why this is a good idea.

Learn more at Nonleadpartnership.org (or on Instagram), SportingLeadFree.org (or on Instagram), and HuntingWithNonlead.org (or on Instagram).

Show Sponsor: Subscribe to my Patreon channel to support the podcast and get instant access to exclusive bonus content, like my videos comparing and contrasting lead vs lead free bullets and how to minimize meat loss.

The holiday season is coming up fast, so check out my article on the 101 Best Gifts For Hunters for ideas on what to get those on your gift list.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/hunting-with-lead-free-ammo/

I’ve received a couple of listener requests for an interview with a representative from Bergara to talk about their hunting rifle offerings. I’ve hunted with a couple of Bergara rifles over the past couple of years and I’ve really liked them. Plus, they have also recently introduced some really cool new models in the last year as well. With that in mind, Collin Russel is joining us on the show today to talk about all things Bergara. We discuss the entire line of Bergara’s centerfire rifle line in detail along with a special focus on some of their newer models, especially their new offerings in 7 PRC. 

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Feel free to send feedback, questions, and/or future episode requests to john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Visit the Bergara web site for more information about their products in general. Plus, learm more about the ammunition they use for accuracy testing here.

Ep 273: Jim Harmer (aka Backfire) on the 6.5 Creedmoor and more – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 265: 7mm PRC Overview – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 220: Pronghorn and Bison in Colorado Part 1 – Podcast referenced in episode

Bergara rifles hold prominent spots in several of my top rifle recommendation articles:

Best 7mm PRC Rifles - 7mm PRC hunting rifle recommendations

Best 6.5 Creedmoor Rifles– 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Rifle Recommendations

Best 300 Win Mag Rifles – 300 Win Mag Hunting Rifle Recommendations

6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 - What You Need To Know

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Best Muzzleloaders For Hunters – Muzzleloader recommendations for hunters, many of which use Bergara barrels

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/bergara-rifles-with-collin-russell/

Well, I just got back from my first hunt of 2019 and I have good news: I punched my pronghorn tag up in Colorado! Today, I’m going to tell you how the hunt went, a couple of lessons I learned, and share a few recommendations for you to keep in mind if you want to go pronghorn hunting in the future.

Show notes:  https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/2019coloradopronghorn

My friend Fred Bohm helped me out on that hunt and his company Sage & Braker is sponsoring this podcast episode. Check out his web site to learn more about the awesome gun cleaning mats, gun cleaning kits, and other gun cleaning supplies Sage & Braker produces.

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/2020huntingseason/

Show sponsor: Christmas will be here before you know it, so make sure you check out my 2020 gift guide for hunters to see what hot items I recommend putting on your wish list for this holiday season.

What We Covered

1) Overview of the hunting goals I set when I moved to El Paso in 2017 and how I'm progressing in accomplishing them.

2) How my 2019 season compares to my upcoming 2020 hunting season.

3) The draw strategy I used to get the early rifle elk tag I ended up drawing in New Mexico this year.

4) Story of how I ended up drawing that tag.

Show Sponsor

GoHunt has some of the most comprehensive information available anywhere on where to go to hunt iconic western animals (like mule deer, pronghorn, and elk). They specialize in providing information necessary on how to draw the necessary tag, and what hunting tactics work best in specific areas. I’ve used goHUNT for the past several years with great success and cannot recommend them highly enough. With their help, I’ve been able to find and draw “hidden gem” tags in several different states that there’s no way I would have known about on my own.

This is especially true for the tags I drew I've drawn during the past 2 years: 4 hunts in 3 different states for 4 different species of game (elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and Coues deer) that I drew with a grand total of 4 bonus/preference points (1 in Colorado, 3 in Arizona, and 0 in New Mexico).

Check them out at goHunt.com and Use the promo code “BIGGAMEHUNTER” when you sign up for a new INSIDER membership to get $50 in store credit at the goHUNT gear shop. So, not only will you get the most up to date western drawing odds, but you’ll also get a discount on some good quality hunting gear to go along with it.

I’ve got another cartridge comparison episode for you today. In this episode we’re going to talk about the 7mm Remington Magnum and how it compares to the .30-06 Springfield. I think most hunters would agree that they're each fantastic cartridges for hunting a wide variety of big game. Both offer certain advantages to hunters, but there are some significant differences between the 7mm Rem Mag vs 30-06 cartridges you should be aware of.

Article Referenced In Show: 7mm Rem Mag vs 30-06 Review & Comparison

Best 7mm Rem Mag Ammo For Hunting Elk, Deer & Other Game - 7mm Rem Mag Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 30-06 Ammo For Hunting Elk, Deer, Bear, Hogs, & Other Game - 30-06 Springfield Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/7mmremmagvs3006/

Show Sponsor: Improve your odds of success afield on your future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/order. That training will take your practical knowledge of firearms, cartridges, sighting systems, and ammunition to the next level and will give you the tools to ensure you're properly outfitted for all of your future hunts.

What We Covered

1) History of the .30-06 Springfield and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges.

2) How the cartridges compare to each other in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Compare ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge.

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

Using the wrong rifle set-up can dramatically lower your odds of success on a hunt. That’s why you need to sign up for the Hunting Guns 101 online training, which is your playbook for choosing the best rifle, cartridge, sighting system, and ammunition for your dream hunt. 

In the training, I’ll show you my proven method for determining what sort of performance you need from your hunting rifle on a particular hunt and I'll show you how to sort through all the confusing techno-babble and marketing jargon out there to prioritize the correct rifle, sighting system, and ammunition characteristics that will work in concert with each other to deliver that performance you’re looking for.

That training will take your practical knowledge of firearms, cartridges, sighting systems, and ammunition to the next level and will give you the tools to ensure you're properly outfitted for all of your future hunts. The end result is that you’ll be using the absolute best tool for your upcoming hunts, which will increase your odds of success afield. Purchase the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/order.

Phil Massaro is back again today to talk about the ins and outs of double rifles. We’ll talk briefly about their history, how double rifles became so associated with hunting in Africa, the pros and cons of hunting with a double rifle, many of the different cartridges used in them, what makes and models are most common these days, and how much they cost. So, this is a great episode on the fundamentals of doubles that you’ll really enjoy and will learn a lot from.

Be sure to sign up for my email list at huntingguns101.com. You’ll get my free E-book when you do so and you’ll also receive the email updates I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails. I talk about all sorts of things in my emails: cartridge and bullet selection, hunting in Africa, funny hunting stories, etc. I also send an in stock email update every Friday to everyone on the list with some of the latest news on ammo I've found and where you can get it.

Show sponsor: Trust me: you don't want to have to follow up a wounded cape buffalo. So, make your shots count and do it right from the beginning for the quickest, cleanest, and least terrifying results when hunting cape buffalo. Purchase the Hunting Guns 101 online training and check out the dangerous game hunting module for detailed information on the specific features that are essential in dangerous game hunting rifles and ammunition as well as specific recommendations on what exactly you need to be using and why that's the case. Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access or go to huntingguns101.com/order to learn more about the training.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/double-rifles-with-phil-massaro/

What We Covered

1) How double rifles became so popular for hunting in Africa.

2) Pros and cons of double rifles: effective range, speed of follow up shots, available cartridges and ammo, size and weight of the rifle, cool factor, sighting system, speed of target acquisition, and cost of the rifle.

3) Discussion on the nuances of different double rifle characteristics and features.

4) Discussion on some of the more popular current production double rifles.

5) Other things to keep in mind when preparing for a hunt using a double rifle.

Resources

1) PhilMassaro.com – Phil’s Web Site

2) Phil Massaro’s Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter Pages

Jeff Roberts from PNWild is back on for this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast to talk about spot and stalk fall bear hunting in Washington. We discuss why Washington is such a great destination for black bear hunting, what habitat black bears prefer in the fall, what resources he uses to find good places to hunt black bears, what sort of gear he uses, and what he thinks about black bear meat.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/jeffrobertsfallbearhuntingwashington/

Learn more about bear hunting in Washington state here.

Show Sponsor: Learn the essential information about practical ballistics, hunting firearms, and ammunition that will improve your odds of success on future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/form.

What We Covered

1) Jeff shares the story of one of his more memorable fall bear hunts.

2) Brief overview of the Washington fall bear hunting season: dates, weapons, location, etc.

3) What the most commonly used methods are for those hunts.

4) Discussion on the best places to find bears in the fall.

5) What things to look for when E-Scouting for a fall bear hunt.

6) What resources Jeff recommends for gathering information on fall bear hunting before hitting the woods.

7) What rifle, cartridge, and ammunition he's used on the High Buck Hunt hunt.

8) What success rates are like on these hunts.

8) What Jeff thinks of bear meat. 

Show Sponsor

Purchase the Hunting Guns 101 online training and you'll learn the essentials of practical ballistics and what firearms, sighting systems, cartridges, and ammunition you should be using on your future hunts to improve your odds of success afield. Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access or go to huntingguns101.com/order to learn more about the training.

Resources

1) Check out the PNWild Podcast on Apple Podcasts

2) Follow PNWild on Instagram

3) Visit the PNWild Web Page Here

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/federal-premium-turkey-hunting-ammo/

Show Sponsor: Sign up for the Hunting Guns 101 course at HuntingGuns101.com/order and I’ll teach you how to choose the best firearm, sighting system, and ammunition for your specific needs so you can hunt with confidence knowing you're using the absolute best tool for the job. 

What We Covered

1) Dan shares a story of a recent turkey hunt where he uses Federal Heavyweight TSS ammo in his .410 with a surprising amount of success.

2) How turkey are different from other species of game and what sort of performance you need out of your shot shells when turkey hunting.

3) Details on the specific turkey hunting shot shell lines Federal Premium currently manufacturers: Grand Slam, 3rd Degree with Heavyweight TSS, & Heavyweight TSS.

4) What each line of Federal turkey hunting ammo is best suited for.

Learn more about Federal turkey hunting ammunition on their web site.

I’ve got another cartridge comparison episode for you today. In this episode we’re going to talk about the .270 Winchester and how it compares to the .308 Winchester. While there is a big overlap in their capabilities, each cartridge offers certain benefits to hunters. in today’s episode, I’m going to discuss the pros and cons of the 270 vs 308 so you can make an informed decision on which one is best for you.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Article Referenced In Show: 270-308: Which One Should You Hunt With? – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best .270 Ammo - 270 Winchester Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 270 Rifles– 270 Hunting Rifle Recommendations

Best .308 Ammo - 308 Winchester Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/270vs308/

Show Sponsor: Improve your odds of success afield on your future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/order. That training will take your practical knowledge of firearms, cartridges, sighting systems, and ammunition to the next level and will give you the tools to ensure you're properly outfitted for all of your future hunts.

What We Covered

1) History of the .270 Winchester and .308 Winchester cartridges.

2) How the cartridges compare to each other in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Compare ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge.

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

Using the wrong rifle set-up can dramatically lower your odds of success on a hunt. That’s why you need to sign up for the Hunting Guns 101 online training, which is your playbook for choosing the best rifle, cartridge, sighting system, and ammunition for your dream hunt. 

In the training, I’ll show you my proven method for determining what sort of performance you need from your hunting rifle on a particular hunt and I'll show you how to sort through all the confusing techno-babble and marketing jargon out there to prioritize the correct rifle, sighting system, and ammunition characteristics that will work in concert with each other to deliver that performance you’re looking for.

That training will take your practical knowledge of firearms, cartridges, sighting systems, and ammunition to the next level and will give you the tools to ensure you're properly outfitted for all of your future hunts. The end result is that you’ll be using the absolute best tool for your upcoming hunts, which will increase your odds of success afield. Purchase the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/order.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/chrisdorsey/

Show Sponsor: Go to huntingguns101.com to receive specific rifle, cartridge, ammo, and scope recommendations tailored to YOUR specific hunting needs as well as access to our EXCLUSIVE Facebook community and EXCLUSIVE discounts on certain outfitted hunts Big Game Hunting Adventures in Africa or Canada.

What We Covered

1) What is a bongo?

2) Story of Chris' bongo hunt: where he hunted, the time of year, what conditions were like, how they actually conducted the hunt, what rifle he used etc.

3) What is a mountain nyala?

4) Story of Chris' mountain nyala hunt: where he hunted, the time of year, what conditions were like, how they actually conducted the hunt, what rifle he used etc.

5) What travel was like getting to and from Africa for each hunt.

6) Chris shares details of his new book and DVD set: Director's Cut.

Resources

1) Pick up your very own copy of Director's Cut here.

2) Watch the trailer for the Director's Cut DVD here.

Show Sponsor

If you want to join a community where you can have these sorts discussions with other veteran hunters who have been there and done that, then you NEED to checkout huntingguns101.com. 

There, you’ll receive some specific rifle, cartridge, ammo, and scope recommendations tailored to YOUR specific hunting needs regardless of whether you want to hunt deer or pronghorn in the lower 48, moose in Alaska, or cape buffalo in Africa. 

You’ll also get access to a Facebook community EXCLUSIVELY for Big game Hunting Podcast listeners where you can get regular access to ME as well as lots of other experienced hunters and shooters who can answer your questions and give you feedback.

And to top it all off, members receive EXCLUSIVE discounts on outfitted hunts through Big Game Hunting Adventures. Booking just ONE hunt will MORE than cover what it costs to join the group! 

In fact, you get so much useful stuff from joining the community that I’m practically giving it all way considering what I’m charging for it.

Head on over to huntingguns101.com and sign up. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in our Facebook group!

How are things coming with your holiday shopping? Christmas is really coming up fast, so you don’t have a lot of time remaining.

For that reason, this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast contains recommendations for gifts for hunters on your shopping list. I'll also announce the winner of our Maven binocular giveaway in this episode.

Learn more about other great gifts for hunters here:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/gifts-for-hunters/

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-hunting-socks/

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/sportsmans-box-review/

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/axil-gs-extreme-earbuds-review/

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/huntinggiftrecommendations/

Joseph von Benedikt is back on the show again today to talk about moose hunting. As always, Joseph does a great job of telling some very interesting and detailed stories of some really cool hunts. In this episode, he shares the story of 2 moose hunts in Canada as well as a moose hunt in Alaska. Of course, we talk about moose hunting cartridges and rifles as well as less often discussed, but still very important topics like meat handling and the logistics of these hunts.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/moosehunting101josephvonbenedikt/

Show Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and sign up for my free E-Book to also receive the my weekly ammo supply updates I send out to people that live in the United States.

Learn the essential information about practical ballistics, hunting firearms, and ammunition that will improve your odds of success on future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/form.

Resources

Ep 96: Elk Hunting Bullets With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 104: Elk Hunting Rifles With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 130: Caribou Hunting In Alaska With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 174: Bighorn Sheep Hunting With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

1) Joseph's Personal Instagram Page

2) Check out Joseph's podcast: The Backcountry Hunting Podcast on Apple Podcasts

3) Backcountryhuntingpodcast.net – Web site For the Backcountry Hunting Podcast

Ep 226: Dan Roland On Musk Ox Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 84: Dan Roland On Brown Bear Hunting In Alaska – Podcast referenced in episode

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/danrolanddallsheep/

Show Sponsor: GoHunt. Use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get $50 in store credit at their gear shop.

What We Covered

1) Brief overview of Dan's sheep hunts.

2) Discussion of challenges he faced on each hunt and how he overcame them.

3) Challenges associated with finding a legal ram in Alaska.

4) Things he wished he knew before going on those hunts.

5) Discussion on the travel and logistics involved with hunting in Alaska and the Yukon.

6) Discussion on gear recommendations for those hunts.

7) About how much a Dall Sheep hunt costs.

Resources

You can connect with Dan on Instagram danroland67

Today Joseph von Benedikt is back is on the show with us for our second successful bighorn sheep hunt recap in as many months today. We’re going to talk about how Joseph got this opportunity, the importance of maintaining good physical fitness and of taking care of your gear in the off season, the story of his hunt, some lessons he learned along the way, and what the future holds for him.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Show Notes: 

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/bighorn-sheep-hunting-with-joseph-von-benedikt/

Show Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and sign up for my free E-Book to also receive the my weekly ammo supply updates I send out to people that live in the United States.

Learn the essential information about practical ballistics, hunting firearms, and ammunition that will improve your odds of success on future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/form.

Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access or go to huntingguns101.com/orderto learn more about the training.

Resources

Ep 96: Elk Hunting Bullets With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 104: Elk Hunting Rifles With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 130: Caribou Hunting In Alaska With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 162: Moose Hunting 101 With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

1) Joseph's Personal Instagram Page

2) Check out Joseph's podcast: The Backcountry Hunting Podcast on Apple Podcasts

3) Backcountryhuntingpodcast.net – Web site For the Backcountry Hunting Podcast

Tyler Freel is back on the show today to talk about Dall Sheep hunting. Tyler has lived in Alaska for a long time and has done a lot of sheep hunting over the years. In this episode, we talk about everything Dall sheep: how and where to hunt sheep, descriptions of what constitutes a legal ram, how a sheep hunt often goes, what time of year they’re hunted, how they taste, and of course, what cartridges and bullets are best suited for and most commonly used for hunting Dall sheep.

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.

Resources

Ep 92: Dan Roland On Dall Sheep Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 168: Steve Speck On Bighorn Sheep Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 174: Joseph von Benedikt On Bighorn Sheep Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 201: Sheep Hunting 101 With Ron Spomer – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 282: Grizzly Bear Hunting With A 6.5 Creedmoor?!? – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 289: Dall Sheep Hunting 101 With Mark Huelsing – Podcast referenced in episode

Subscribe to Tyler’s Tundra Talk Podcast here.

Follow Tyler on Instagram @thetylerfreel

We talk at length on this show about things you can do to set yourself up for success on a hunt. That’s all very important, but in many ways, the work is really only just beginning once you get an animal on the ground. With that in mind, we have Justin Townsend from Harvesting Nature and the Wild Fish and Game Podcast on the show today to talk about wild game meat care and cooking. Among other things, we talk about some things you should NEVER do to meat, how to deal with “gamey” tasting meat, and a few delicious recipes on the show today.

Show Sponsor: Be sure to sign up for my email list at huntingguns101.com. You’ll get my free E-book when you do so and you’ll also receive the email updates I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails. I talk about all sorts of things in my emails: cartridge and bullet selection, hunting in Africa, funny hunting stories, etc. I also send an in stock email update every Friday to everyone on the list with some of the latest news on ammo I’ve found and where you can get it.

Resources

Learn more about Harvesting Nature by checking out their web site, their podcasts, their spice blends, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Follow Justin on Instagram.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/wild-game-meat-care-and-cooking-with-justin-townsend/

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/alyssa-nitschelm-mountain-goat/

Show Sponsor: GoHunt. Use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get $50 in store credit at their gear shop.

What We Covered

1) Why Alyssa decided to start hunting.

2) How she drew this once in a lifetime mountain goat tag.

3) What Alyssa did to prepare for the hunt.

4) What the hunt was like.

5) What advice she would offer to other new hunters.

Resources

Follow Alyssa on Instagram at alyssanitschelm

Learn more about the .280 Remington cartridge Alyssa used on her hunt by reading the article below.

270 vs 280 Remington vs 280 Ackley Improved vs 7mm Rem Mag

Regardless of the cartridge you choose to hunt with, I STRONGLY recommend wearing ear protection while hunting. Read the article below for some really good options.

11 Best Hunting Ear Protection Options For Sportsmen in 2020

Based in Bend, Oregon, Nosler manufactures several lines of high quality hunting ammunition. Alyssa and her dad trusted the legendary Nosler Partition bullet for this once in a lifetime hunt and it got the job done for them!

While mountain goat, moose, and sheep tags are never easy to draw, your odds of success are only truly 0% if you don't apply. If you want to make an informed decision on which states are best for you to try your luck in for tough to draw species, then I also recommend heading over to GoHunt and signing up for their INSIDER membership to start researching those once in a lifetime tags you’ve always been dreaming of. Certain states are much better than others for non-resident applications for moose, goat and sheep, and spending a little bit of money with a GoHunt Insider Membership to get the best information to plan your application strategy can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. 

Check them out at GoHunt.com and Use the promo code “BIGGAMEHUNTER” when you sign up for a new INSIDER membership to get $50 in store credit at the goHUNT gear shop. So, not only will you get the most up to date western drawing odds, but you’ll also get a discount on some good quality hunting gear to go along with it.

GoHunt is an AWESOME resource and is one of the products that made the cut for my gift list. See what else is on the list by visiting the link below.

101 Best Gifts For Hunters In 2020

I have another cartridge comparison for you today where we compare the 7mm PRC, 28 Nosler, and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges. It’s only natural that many hunters would be curious about how the brand new 7mm Precision Rifle Cartridge stacks up against the tried and true 7mm Remington Magnum and the hot rod 28 Nosler. Well, that's what I do in this episode where I investigate the 28 Nosler vs 7mm PRC vs 7mm Rem Mag debate in detail and provide some insight into which cartridge is better suited for common hunting situations so you can make an informed decision on which one will work best for your individual needs.

28 Nosler vs 7mm PRC vs 7mm Rem Mag Review & Comparison – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting Deer, Elk, & Bear – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 7mm PRC Rifles For Hunting – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 28 Nosler Ammo For Hunting Elk and Deer – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 7mm Rem Mag Ammo For Hunting Elk, Bear, and Deer – Blog article referenced in podcast

Show Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Hunting Guns 101: If you enjoy these cartridge comparison episodes, then you will love Hunting Guns 101 because it’s full of the same sort of information contained in these episodes, just with even more detail and analysis. Hunting Guns 101 is jam packed with useful information about practical ballistics and firearms in general that will help you be more successful afield and fill more tags on your hunts. 

This training will teach you what you need to know about practical ballistics and is guaranteed to be both a time and money saver going forward with future gear purchases. Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/7mm-prc-vs-7mm-rem-mag-vs-28-nosler/

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/howtohunthogs/

Show Sponsor: Sign up for the Hunting Guns 101 course at HuntingGuns101.com/order and I’ll teach you how to choose the best firearm, sighting system, and ammunition for your specific needs so you can hunt with confidence knowing you're using the absolute best tool for the job. 

What We Covered

1) Best way for a new hunter to learn how to hunt hogs

2 ) Overview of some of the most common hunting methods

3) What does good hog habitat look like

4) How to pick a spot to hunt

5) What does hog sign look like

6) What time of year and time of day is generally better for hunting hogs

7) What sort of gear and guns are best for hunting hogs

I sat down with one of my South African Professional Hunters, Johan Seyffert, at the Dallas Safari Club convention and recorded a short interview about how he got started in this line of work and some funny and noteworthy experiences he has had over the years, like how he went from serving in the French Foreign Legion to floating in a rowboat surrounded by crocodiles. We also talk about misconceptions people have about hunting Africa, common mistakes visiting hunters make, and how to make the most out of a hunt in Africa.

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt with Johan or Kobus in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We are full for 2025 and June/July 2026, but still have some openings remaining otherwise next year. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. 

I hope you enjoyed my podcast last week about my New Mexico mule deer hunt. Today, we’ll talk about my Wyoming pronghorn antelope hunt. Once again, that was that a very fun and ultimately successful hunt that also has a lot of lessons for a person who has never been hunting out west and/or who has never hunted pronghorn before.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/wyoming-pronghorn-antelope-hunt-recap/

Show Sponsor: Get your own Poseidon Pro portable charger by going to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/battery and use promo code BIGGAMEUNTER for $5 off orders of $50 or more. 

Head over to goHunt.com and sign up for an INSIDER membership to get the information YOU need to craft a plan to fulfill your dream hunt out west. Use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get $50 in store credit at their gear shop. 

We're back for another show about hunting hogs today and once again, I'm joined by Glenn Guess of Hog Zombies. Today, Glenn and I are going to talk about how to call in mature boars in particular.

Glenn pretty much wrote the book on hog calling and over the years, he's actually pioneered some specific methods of targeting dominant boars in particular. Today, he’s going to give us an overview of how to call dominant boars: how he defines a mature boar, dominant boar behavior, how hunting mature boars are different from other hogs, and what call sequences to use when hunting mature boars. If you want to learn more about hog hunting, be sure to listen to this episode!

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/callingmatureboars

Mike Arnold is back on the show again today to talk to us about his recent trip to the west African country of Cameroon. We’ll discuss how his trip went, what the hunting is like there, and also discuss another few examples of the benefits of well-regulated hunting for both the local population and wildlife in general.

Show sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Bringing Back The Lions. Pick up a physical copy, download the Kindle version, or get the audiobook here.

Ep 213: Africa's Most Dramatic Conservation Success Story – Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast

Benefits of Hunting – Article referenced in podcast

MikeArnoldOutdoors.com – Visit Mike's web site here and read the articles he wrote about his trip to Cameroon

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/hunting-cameroon-mike-arnold/

Today, I'm joined by my friend Tyler Ball in this episode as we recap his first venture into the hunting world: a 2019 New Mexico pronghorn hunt. Tyler is a brand new hunter and we'll talk about why he decided to start hunting in the first place, how he prepared for this hunt, how his New Mexico pronghorn hunt went, a couple of things we plan on doing differently in the future, and why you should consider an antelope hunt out west. 

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/2019-nm-pronghorn-hunt/

In this episode, I interviewed Fred Bohm. He's been bitten by the Coues Deer bug and routinely heads down to the Sonoran Desert each year in pursuit of these wily desert whitetails. He’ll be covering where to head to go Coues Deer hunting, some of the best practices on how to hunt them, and why Coues Deer are such a darn addictive animal to pursue.

Show notes:  https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/fredbohm/

Learn more about Fred at FredBohm.com and check out his awesome gun cleaning mats, gun cleaning kits, and other gun cleaning supplies.

I think most hunters will agree that choosing the right propellant and primer for your muzzleloader can be an overwhelming experience due to the sheer number of options available. I struggled with the same problem when I first got started hunting with a muzzleloader many years ago. Since then I’ve tried lots of different load combinations and I’ve also gained a lot of insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the various propellants and primers under different conditions.

In this episode, I’m going to provide the pros and cons of some of the most popular powder and primers and provide some recommendations on which one you should be using.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/muzzleloaderpowder-muzzleloaderprimers

Related blog posts: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-muzzleloader-primers/

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-black-powder-black-powder-substitutes/ 

Brandon Maddox is back on the show with me again today to talk about the latest stuff from Silencer Central. We talk about the new Buck 30 by Banish, their new Speed K suppressor, and some other new developments in the industry that have occurred since he was last on the show in 2023. 

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but The Big Game Hunting Podcast is about to celebrate its 5 year anniversary! In honor of crossing that milestone, we’re giving away a hunt in Africa to a deserving military veteran along with a literal pile of other amazing prizes for other podcast listeners.

Be sure to check out Episode 306 for more details on the giveaway, the prizes we're giving away, who is eligible, and how to enter.

To enter the random drawing for the Banish 30 (and everything else other than the grand prize), click here and sign up.

Email nominations for the grand prize to: john@thebigamehuntingblog.com using subject line “Africa Hunt Giveaway” and tell me why you think that veteran deserves a hunt in Africa.

Go to TheBigGameHuntingBlog.com/suppressor and get the ball rolling on your very own suppressor with Silencer Central where they’ll help you with all the paperwork, set you up with a free NFA gun trust, and then ship your new suppressor directly to your door once they receive ATF approval.

Resources

Ep 182: Suppressors 101 With Brandon Maddox – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 249: Silencer Central Update 2023 With Brandon Maddox – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 306: 5 Year Podcast Anniversary Giveaway! – Episode referenced in podcast

Silencer Central Banish 30 Review – Article referenced in podcast

Silencer Central Banish Backcountry Review – Article referenced in podcast

Silencer Central Banish 46 Review – Article referenced in podcast

Tyler Freel is back on the show today to talk about a recent moose hunt where he cleanly killed a nice bull with the new 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge using his AR-15. I Feel like I owe it to my audience to give them the best and most accurate information possible and sometimes that involves challenging previously held beliefs about what people think you “need” to hunt certain animals. This is one of those episodes. So was one of Tyler’s previous appearances on the show with me in ep 282 where he talks about killing a grizzly bear with the 6.5 Creedmoor.

You are of course welcome to disagree with us, all I ask is that you keep an open mind as Tyler and I discuss this hunt in detail. As you’ll discover shortly, the little 22 ARC delivered surprisingly good terminal performance on a big Alaskan bull moose and we discuss why that was the case in great detail today.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

Resources

Read Tyler's article on Outdoor Life about his moose hunt here & see the video on YouTube here.

Subscribe to Tyler's Tundra Talk Podcast here.

Follow Tyler on Instagram @thetylerfreel.

I am recording this on the first day of the 2022 SHOT show. As you probably know, lots of companies in the sporting goods community unveil their new products at the SHOT show. Due to some scheduling conflicts, I was not able to make it to the SHOT show this year. However, reps from several firearms and ammunition companies were kind enough to do an interview on their new products and you’ll be hearing those interviews over the next couple of weeks. Today, we’re joined by Jeff Sipe from Nosler and he has some cool announcements to share with us about what’s new with them. 

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/nosler-2022/

Show Sponsor: Be sure to sign up for my email list at huntingguns101.com. You’ll get my free E-book when you do so and you’ll also receive the email updates I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails. I talk about all sorts of things in my emails: cartridge and bullet selection, hunting in Africa, funny hunting stories, etc. I also send an in stock email update every Friday to everyone on the list with some of the latest news on ammo I've found and where you can get it.

What We Covered

1) Overview of the new M21 rifle from Nosler.

2) How the M21 is different from the old M48 rifle.

3) What the future holds with the M21 rifle.

3) Overview of Nosler's new suppressors.

4) Changes to Nosler's handgun ammo lines.

Resources

Learn more about the Nosler M21 rifle here.

Today we’re going to talk about two completely different rounds: the 45-70 Government and the 308 Winchester. Comparing these two cartridges is a great example of how a person who doesn’t know any better can get a wildly distorted view of how two cartridges compare to each other by simply looking at their performance on paper. We’ll discuss the overall design characteristics and performance specs of each round then compare how they stack up next to each other. I’ll also cover how they each perform in some ballistic gel tests and discuss the situations where each one excels.

Take the Big Game Hunting Podcast Listener Survey here (everyone who completes the survey by 23 March 2025 will be entered in a drawing for a $50 Cabela’s gift card)

Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/Ebook and sign up to receive my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.

Resources

45-70 vs 308: Comparing Oranges To Pineapples – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Best 308 Hunting Ammo - 308 Winchester ammo recommendations

Best 45-70 Ammo For Hunting - 45-70 ammo recommendations

Kendall Jones joined me on this episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast and we talked about how she has overcome adversity in recent years. While she's most famous as the Texas Tech cheerleader targeted by anti-hunters due an African safari back in 2014, she also suffered through some other very painful times in recent years that aren't nearly as well known. There's plenty of adversity to go around these days, so be sure to listen for some good advice in how to overcome hard times!

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/kendalljones/

Trophy hunting is a very misunderstood topic these days, even among hunters. The many misconceptions and myths that surround trophy hunting have helped turn it into a very controversial subject.

With all that in mind, my goal for today’s show is to clear up some of the misconceptions about trophy hunting in Africa and help set the record straight. I’m also going to go into detail on the tangible benefits that trophy hunting has for wildlife conservation all over the world, but specifically in Africa.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/how-trophy-hunting-in-africa-wildlife-conservation

For more information on trophy hunting and wildlife conservation, visit: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/how-trophy-hunting-in-africa-wildlife-conservation/

What Is Trophy Hunting?

Hunting Ethics Every Hunter Should Know

What Is Canned Shooting?

https://biggamehuntingadventures.com/heres-how-hunting-promotes-wildlife-conservation/

Here's how to prepare for the cape buffalo hunting safari you've been dreaming of. As promised, Kevin Robertson is back on the show again today. We’re going to have an in depth discussion on how to prepare for a cape buffalo hunt. Kevin provides some excellent advice to prospective cape buffalo hunters in this episode. Pay attention to what he has to say on how to prepare physically, how to practice shooting under realistic conditions, what you should bring with you on your hunt, and much more.

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/kevinrobertsonpreparingtohuntcapebuffalo/

Show sponsor: Big Game Hunting Adventures. Say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for special pricing on your hunt!

What We Covered

1) Where cape buffalo rank in terms of the most physically demanding species to hunt in Africa.

2) How hunters should prepare physically for a cape buffalo hunt.

3) What sort of shooting conditions a hunter should expect on cape buffalo and how to prepare.

4) What gear hunters should bring with them on their hunt.

5) What to look for in a buffalo's physical reaction to a good shot and what a death bellow is.

6) Things hunters can do while actually on their hunt to improve their odds of success.

Show Sponsor

I founded Big Game Hunting Adventures specifically to pair hunters like YOU with great outfitters in Africa. All the guys I work with are the real deal and will set you up with a great hunt. I’ll be hunting with my South Africa outfitter next summer. This will be my 5^th trip to Africa and I’ve been to Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. I’ve never had a bad hunt in Africa, but I can honestly say that these guys in South Africa are by far the best I’ve ever hunted with and I guarantee they’ll treat you right. 

So, if you’ve always dreamed about an African safari, then this is the outfitter you need to check out for both plains game and cape buffalo hunting. I’ll be having a great hunt there next summer with my dad and there’s no reason why you can’t either. Visit BigGameHuntingAdventures.com to learn more.

This is the time of year when lots of companies in the sporting goods community unveil their new products. We recently heard from Jeff Sipe in Bonus Episode #9 to learn about what’s new with Nosler this year. Today, we’re joined by Ben Frank from Winchester Ammunition and he has some cool announcements to share with us about what’s new with them for 2022. 

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/winchester-2022/

Show Sponsor: Be sure to sign up for my email list at huntingguns101.com. You’ll get my free E-book when you do so and you’ll also receive the email updates I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails. I talk about all sorts of things in my emails: cartridge and bullet selection, hunting in Africa, funny hunting stories, etc. I also send an in stock email update every Friday to everyone on the list with some of the latest news on ammo I've found and where you can get it.

What We Covered

1) Overview of the new Copper Impact line of ammo.

2) Expansions of 6.5 PRC and 6.8 Western ammo options from Winchester.

3) What's new with Winchester's waterfowl ammo.

4) What's new with Winchester's upland game shotgun ammo.

Resources

Learn more about Winchester's new 2022 product lineup here.

Next up in our ongoing Africa hunting mini-series is an interview Axel Kramer, the President of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (or NAPHA). Axel was kind enough to take a break from his busy schedule to discuss NAPHAs new Age Related Trophy Measuring system they recently implemented in order to incentivize hunters to harvest older animals. We’ll discuss why they implemented this new measuring system, the benefits they hope to see from this new system down the line, and we’ll also get a little bit into the “nuts and bolts” of the new Age Related Trophy Measuring system and what it means for visiting hunters. 

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you’re afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earbuds to purchase a set of the new AXIL XCOR earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide excellent hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you’ll also get the best pricing on them in the process through that link.

Resources

Learn more about the Namibia Professional Hunting Association here.

Learn more about NAPHA's new Age Related Trophy Measuring System here.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/napha-art/

Now I don’t know about you, but I love to read and I love to hunt. Fortunately, there are a bunch of really good hunting books (in general) and some excellent African hunting books. out there . Some provide useful information to help you improve your skills as a hunter or in the kitchen. Many others are filled with funny or exciting stories from hunts all over the world. 

So with all that in mind, I decided to share a list of some of my favorite hunting books with you.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/myfavoritehuntingbooks/

I’m back from my moose hunt up in Canada and I wanted to let you know how things went up there! We’re going to talk about how I got this moose hunting opportunity on such short notice, the story of the hunt, some lessons I learned along the way, and what the future holds for me.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/2021-alberta-moose-hunt-recap/

Show Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and sign up for my free E-Book to also receive the my weekly ammo supply updates I send out to people that live in the United States.

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you're afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earpro to purchase a set of AXIL GS Extreme earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide up to 6x hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you'll also get the best pricing on them in the process (up to 65% off MSRP) through that link.

What We Covered

1) Overview of how I got this hunt on such short notice.

2) What travel was like getting to Canada.

3) Story of the hunt.

4) Lessons I learned and things I would do differently.

5) Learn more about the socks I work on this hunt here:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-hunting-socks/

Show Sponsor

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you're afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earpro to purchase a set of AXIL GS Extreme earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide up to 6x hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you'll also get the best pricing on them in the process (up to 65% off MSRP) through that link.

In this episode we’re going to talk about the 270 Winchester, the 280 Remington, the 280 Ackley Improved, and the 7mm Remington Magnum. All of those cartridges are very capable performers, though the 270 and 7mm Rem Mag are much more well known and widely used than the other two. In today’s episode, I’m going to discuss the pros and cons of the 270 vs 280 Remington vs 280 Ackley Improved vs 7mm Remington Magnum so you can make an informed decision on which one is best for you.

Article Referenced In Show: 270 vs 280 vs 280 Ackley Improved vs 7mm Rem Mag

Best 7mm Rem Mag Ammo For Hunting – 7mm Rem Mag Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 270 Ammo For Hunting – 270 Winchester Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 270 Rifles For Hunting – 270 Winchester Hunting Rifle Recommendations

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/270-vs-280-vs-280-ai-vs-7mm-rem-mag/

Show Sponsor: Trusted my millions – HuntStand offers revolutionary mapping abilities, detailed weather information, national property ownership data for the United States AND Canada, Monthly Satellite Imagery, scouting camera management, 3d maps, ultra-high-resolution map printing services, and much more. Go to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/huntstand and use promo code BIGGAMEUNTER for 10% off your first year of HuntStand PRO.

Hunting Guns 101: If you enjoy these cartridge comparison episodes, then you will Love Hunting Guns 101 because it’s full of the same sort of information contained in these episodes, just with even more detail and analysis. Hunting Guns 101 is jam packed with useful information about practical ballistics and firearms in general that will help you be more successful afield and fill more tags on your hunts. Go to huntingguns101.com/form for instant access.

What We Covered

1) History of the 270 Winchester, 280 Remington, 280 Ackley Improved, and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges.

2) How the cartridges compare to each other in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Comparison ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge.

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

Are you in the market for a new hunting rifle? Be sure to purchase Hunting Guns 101 FIRST in order to fast-forward your understanding about the hunting guns and ammo you should consider for the type of hunting you plan on doing in the near future.

This training will teach you what you need to know about practical ballistics and is guaranteed to be both a time and money saver going forward with future gear purchases. Go to huntingguns101.com/form and submit the order form to receive instant access or go to huntingguns101.com/order to learn more about the training.

In this episode, I discuss some of the most commonly hunted species of African plains game, especially for those on their first African safari hunt: warthog, impala, blue wildebeest, zebra, and kudu. I also talk briefly about the cartridges and ammunition that are best suited for hunting those species of African plains game.

How to fill out the SAPS 520 form (which you'll need to do if you're hunting or transiting South Africa and bringing a rifle)

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/plainsgame

Learn more about the outfitters in Namibia and South Africa that I've hunted with.

http://www.ksbiggamehunting.com/

As I promised you a couple of weeks ago, we’re going to talk about the details I've been able to dig up regarding the often repeated story where Roy Weatherby supposedly killed a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby Magnum today. Buckle up folks, because this is going to be a good one!

Email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you have additional information about Roy Weatherby killing a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby. I'll happily correct the record if I'm wrong about this issue.

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Resources

Ep 328: Complete Guide To 25 Caliber Cartridges

Weatherby Podcast Episode #34 On 257 Weatherby Magnum (they start talking about the Guns & Ammo article at the 5:50 mark in that episode)

Get a copy of Weatherby: The Man. The Gun. The Legend. here

Other sources:

Guns & Ammo September 1962 issue, The High Priest of High Velocity by John Lachuk (p46-47)

Rifleman in Africa by Wallace Taber, First Edition January 1953 (p47)

Assignment Safari by Wallace Taber, 3rd Edition January 1953 (p23)

Guns Magazine November 1956 issue, Hunting Elephant With A Deer Rifle by Wallace Taber (p34-36, p51-52)

Every day that you’re traveling is a day that you’re away from your work and family obligations, but not actually hunting. So, we’re going to talk about a couple of ways hunters can simplify the logistics of hunting travel in order to maximize their actual hunting time while they’re away from home and work.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/huntingtravellogisticssimplified/

Visit GoHunt.com and enter promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER for $50 in store credit at their gear shop.

Mike Arnold is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series to talk about bushbuck and nyala. These two species of spiral horned antelope are both magnificent creatures that, as different as they may appear at first glance, also share a few surprising similarities. In fact, they also live in some of the same areas and even compete with each other for food (to the detriment of one of them). Mike and I discuss these two species in detail: where they live, what they look like, how they behave, how they’re commonly hunted, and how these antelope species are similar and different from each other, and some of the ongoing observations scientists and PHs are making regarding how one of these species is often coming out on the losing end of how they are competing with each other in certain areas.

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunts for October and November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. 

Email me at that same address with subject line “podcast hunt” if you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Africa podcast hunt 19-28 July 2025.

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Mike's book, Bringing Back The Lions. Pick up a physical copy, download the Kindle version, or get the audiobook here.

Resources

Ep 213: Africa's Most Dramatic Conservation Success Story – Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast about the lion reintroduction to Mozambique's Coutada 11.

Ep 253: Hunting In Cameroon With Mike Arnold- Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast about the lion reintroduction to Mozambique's Coutada 11.

MikeArnoldOutdoors.com – Visit Mike's web site here and read the articles he wrote about bushbuck & nyala

Hunting in Africa was one of my dreams for many years until I made that fantasy come true back in 2006 on a hunt in Namibia with my dad. I’ve been back to Africa a number of times since then with safaris in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique where I’ve hunted many species of plains and dangerous game. During the course of all those hunts, I’ve learned a great deal about hunting in Africa (often the hard way) and this episode is the first in a series about hunting in Africa where I’m going to share a lot of those lessons with you.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/huntinginafrica/

Learn more about the outfitters in Namibia and South Africa that I've hunted with.

http://www.ksbiggamehunting.com/

Show Notes:

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/howbulletskill/

Show Sponsor: GoHunt. Use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get $50 in store credit at their gear shop.

What We Covered

1) Ways rifle bullets kill big game animals.

2) The vital factors necessary for a bullet to kill an animal: accuracy, penetration, and expansion.

3) Detailed discussion on the interplay between those factors and what things affect penetration and expansion like bullet construction, mass, momentum, sectional density, and impact velocity.

4) Discussion on the pros and cons of the "energy dump" theory of bullet performance vs the controlled expansion, deep penetration school of thought.

Resources

The Perfect Shot II- Kevin “Doctari” Robertson is a veterinarian and a long-time professional hunter from Zimbabwe. He puts his knowledge of animal anatomy and experiences hunting game in Africa to good use in his "Perfect Shot" series of books.

This book contains some extremely useful information on practical field ballistics for hunters, bullet killing criteria, and terminal bullet performance and important characteristics. This book is a GREAT resource for learning more about how bullets perform afield and how to pick the right bullet for hunting different animals under various conditions.

It’s November now and deer season is about to start here in the part of Texas where I live and hunt. With that in mind, I have Adam Whitehead and Nic Wilson from Sportsman’s Box on the show with me. This is actually the 3^rd time Adam has been on the show to talk about Sportsman’s Box. As you’ll earn here shortly, they have made some MAJOR updates to their already great products that I think you’ll enjoy just in time for the peak of hunting season.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/updates-sportsmans-box/

Show Sponsor: Trusted my millions – HuntStand offers revolutionary mapping abilities, detailed weather information, national property ownership data for the United States AND Canada, Monthly Satellite Imagery, scouting camera management, 3D maps, ultra-high-resolution map printing services, and much more. Go to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/huntstand and use promo code BIGGAMEUNTER for 10% off your first year of HuntStand PRO.

Sportsman's Box is a GREAT gift for hunters, regardless of whether they're new to the sport or have been hunting for years.

What We Covered

1) Adam shares a notable hunting story that took place after his last appearance on the show.

2) How the Sportsman's Box first got started and how it works.

3) What's new with Sportsman's Box and why their boxes are now better than ever.

4) What sort of items hunters might receive in their monthly Sportsman's Box subscription.

5) Examples of items received in Sportsman's Box subscriptions that have been especially useful.

6) Description of the other benefits of a Sportsman's Box membership.

Resources

Learn more about the details of how things work with Sportsman's Box by checking out my detailed review of their products:

The Sportsman's Box Review: What I Think About My Hunting And Fishing Subscription Box

Show Sponsor

Head over to SportsmansBox.com to sign up for a new membership. By doing so, you'll get quarterly deliveries of high quality hunting gear tailored to your specific needs and desires as a hunter.

You'll receive a significant discount off the regular prices for everything you get in your regular box. Plus, use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get 20% off your first purchase.

If you use a powerful enough cartridge, loaded with premium quality bullets, and place your shot where it needs to go, then even the biggest, toughest, and meanest cape buffalo won't go very far. However, if you mess up in any of those areas, things can go sideways in a hurry.

In this episode, I discuss the best cape buffalo hunting calibers and bullets that you should consider using on a cape buffalo hunting safari.

How to fill out the SAPS 520 form (which you'll need to do if you're hunting or transiting South Africa and bringing a rifle).

Show notes:  https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cape-buffalo-hunting-calibers-and-bullets

Related blog post: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/hunting-cape-buffalo-with-the-45-70-government/ 

Adam Wies (better known as WHO_TEE_WHO on YouTube) is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series. We actually just hosted Adam on a plains game hunt with us in Africa and yes, he did hunt with a 6.5 Creedmoor. As you’ll learn here shortly, Adam had an outstanding trip. None of those 6.5 Creedmoor bullets bounced off any game and he actually had a couple of very impressive kills with it. I joined Adam on a YouTube live session on his channel where he and I discussed things with his trip in detail. This is the audio from that discussion.

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunt for November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. 

Email me at that same address with subject line “podcast hunt” if you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Africa podcast hunt 19-28 July 2025.

Resources

Watch videos from Adam's hunt on the playlist on his YouTube channel here.

I’ve got another cartridge profile episode for you today. In this episode, we’re going to talk about the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (also known as the 300 Ultra Mag or 300 RUM) and discuss how it compares to the .300 Win Mag. You'll learn the advantages and disadvantages of the .300 Ultra Magnum and we'll discuss the pros and cons of the 300 RUM vs 30Win Mag so you can make an informed decision on which one is best for you.

Article Referenced In Show: 300 Ultra Mag (300 RUM): Your Complete Guide 

Best 300 Win Mag Ammo– 300 Win Mag Hunting Ammo Recommendations

Best 300 Win Mag Rifles – 300 Win Mag Hunting Rifle Recommendations

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/300rumvs300winmag/

Show Sponsor: Improve your odds of success afield on your future hunts by purchasing the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/order. That training will take your practical knowledge of firearms, cartridges, sighting systems, and ammunition to the next level and will give you the tools to ensure you're properly outfitted for all of your future hunts.

What We Covered

1) History of the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum cartridge.

2) How the .300 Ultra Mag compares to the .300 Win Mag in terms of external dimensions, trajectory, recoil, and accuracy.

3) Compare ammo and rifle choices in each cartridge.

4) Pros and cons of hunting with each cartridge.

Show Sponsor

Using the wrong rifle set-up can dramatically lower your odds of success on a hunt. That’s why you need to sign up for the Hunting Guns 101 online training, which is your playbook for choosing the best rifle, cartridge, sighting system, and ammunition for your dream hunt. 

In the training, I’ll show you my proven method for determining what sort of performance you need from your hunting rifle on a particular hunt and I'll show you how to sort through all the confusing techno-babble and marketing jargon out there to prioritize the correct rifle, sighting system, and ammunition characteristics that will work in concert with each other to deliver that performance you’re looking for.

That training will take your practical knowledge of firearms, cartridges, sighting systems, and ammunition to the next level and will give you the tools to ensure you're properly outfitted for all of your future hunts. The end result is that you’ll be using the absolute best tool for your upcoming hunts, which will increase your odds of success afield. Purchase the Hunting Guns 101 training at huntingguns101.com/order.

In this episode, Kevin Robertson and I cover the most popular really big bore safari cartridges .50 caliber and larger and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. We discuss almost everything from the 500 Nitro all the way up to the 700 Nitro Express in this episode (to include some real retina detaching and clavicle breaking offerings like the 577 T-Rex and the 600 Overkill).

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunts for October and November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. 

Email me at that same address with subject line “podcast hunt” if you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Africa podcast hunt 19-28 July 2025.

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Kevin Robertson's books It Shouldn’t Happen and The Perfect Shot II. You will not be disappointed with either book. Get copies of each one on Amazon here (affiliate link, commissions earned).

Resources

YouTube videos referenced:

Ferocious Recoil Of 577 T-Rex On Display

David Petzal & Art Alphin Interview About Hannibal Rifle in .577 T-Rex

Charging Buffalo Stopped By 500 NE Shot At Close Range

Below are links to Kevin's previous appearances on the show:

Ep 97: Africa Hunting Bullets 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 103: Africa Hunting Rifles 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 124: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 125: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 Part 2 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 154: Leopard Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 155: Lion Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 176: Elephant Conservation With Kevin Robertson

Ep 177: Elephant Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 178: Crocodile Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 179: Hippopotamus Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 205: Hunting Africa With A Lever Action Rifle With Kevin Robertson

Ep 206: Classic Africa Hunting Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Ep 207: Hyena Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 250: Africa Hunting Trackers 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 252: How To Become A Professional Hunter With Kevin Robertson

Ep 300: .40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Do you want to hunt mule deer, elk, and/or pronghorn out west, but don't know where to start? This episode will answer your questions. Trail Kreitzer from goHunt is back on the show today to talk about how to draw a deer, elk, or antelope tag out west in the near future. Trail drops some serious knowledge bombs in this show and this is a must listen for anyone who wants to go hunting out west but just doesn’t know where to start. Additionally, he even makes me realize that I’m in a sticky situation myself regarding my point situation in a certain state. So, be sure to listen to this episode to learn the mistake I made so you can avoid it in the future. 

Show sponsor: Head over to goHunt.com and sign up for an INSIDER membership to get the information YOU need to craft a plan to fulfill your dream hunt out west. Use promo code BIGGAMEHUNTER when you sign up to get $50 in store credit at their gear shop. 

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/hunt-deer-elk-pronghorn-in-the-next-5-years/

What We Covered

1) States to consider with good drawing odds (or guaranteed tags) for elk hunting.

2) Difference between the general and limited entry elk hunts in Wyoming and Montana.

3) Special considerations to keep in mind with regards to applying in Montana.

4) States to consider with good drawing odds for mule deer hunting.

5) Difference between the general and limited entry deer hunts in Wyoming and Montana.

6) Why Wyoming is such a good state in general for non-resident hunters.

7) Overview of why it's important to have a coherent multi-state and multi-species application strategy.

8) Example of why your application sequence is so important.

It has been awhile since I’ve had someone on the show to talk about a truly wild and crazy hunt. To that end, I have a guest on the podcast today with me with a hair raising tale to share with you. When I first started attending church after I moved to town, people there started asking me what I do. Without exception, every single person I met told me I needed to talk to Terry Morgan about a hunt he went on up in Canada many years ago where a crazy set of circumstances resulted in him being adrift on an ice burg floating out into the open ocean one morning. Well, Terry is going to tell us the whole story of that hunt today.

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.

Resources

Ep 130: Joseph von Benedikt On Caribou Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Phil Massaro shares insights on hunting aoudad out in west Texas in this podcast interview, focusing on the story of the hunt, bullet terminal performance on auodad, general tips, and equipment recommendations.

Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Phil Massaro. Unlike past discussions with Phil about hunting Africa, they discuss Phil’s recent west Texas aoudad hunt. Phil recounts the story of this hunt, the gear he used, shares a few fascinating tidbits about things that have happened on this hunt and a previous hunt, and a few tips for those considering making the journey out to the desert to hunt these creatures.

The big takeaway? Aoudad hunts are a fun, and cost effective way to hunt a mountain species, but they can be physically challenging and appropriate gear and preparation beforehand are essential.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Resources

Follow Phil on Instagram @philmassaro.

Ep 218: Layton Norwood on Aoudad Hunting – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe – One of Phil’s previous appearances on the show

Kevin Robertson is back again today to follow our discussion from last week up with a more detailed conversation on elephant hunting. As always, he has some great stories to share with us I’m sure you’ll learn a lot from today’s podcast, even if you’re not ever planning on going elephant hunting yourself. I know you’ll also appreciate our discussion on ballistics specifically as they relate to elephant hunting.

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/elephant-hunting-101/

Show sponsor: I highly recommend purchasing a copy of It Shouldn't Happen and The Perfect Shot II if you think you might want to hunt in Africa one day. If you have an upcoming hunt or if you just want to learn more about game in Africa and want a great "all in one" reference, you will not be disappointed with either book. Go to thebiggamehuntingblog.com/kevin to get copies of each one.

What We Covered

1) Story demonstrating how things can go wrong on an elephant hunt.

2) What typical shooting distances are like on elephant.

3) Detailed discussion on terminal ballistics as it relates to elephant hunting.

4) What ideal shot placement is like on elephant for the frontal brain, side brain, and heart shots.

5) Why the frontal brain shot is so difficult to execute.

6) What Kevin considers the ideal cartridges and bullets for elephant hunting.

7) How to judge elephant trophy quality.

8) Where you should go elephant hunting.

I discuss all of the 33 caliber CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. 

Cartridges covered: 33 WCF, 333 Jeffery, 338-06 A-Square, 338 Winchester Magnum, 338 Lapua Magnum, 338 Blaser, 8.6 Blackout, 338 Federal, 338 Weatherby RPM, 338 Ruger Compact Magnum, 338 Marlin, 338 Norma, 338 Remington Ultra Magnum, 33 Nosler, 340 Weatherby Magnum, 338-378 Weatherby Magnum, 8.5x55 Blaser, 338 ARC

Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Resources

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

300 PRC vs 338 Lapua - Article Referenced In Podcast

338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester - Article Referenced In Podcast

300 Win Mag vs 338 Lapua vs 338 Win Mag - Article Referenced In Podcast

While we’ve talked in pretty general terms about bullets and ammunition in these past few episodes, today we’re going to dive into more detail on the subject. Specifically, we’re joined by Joseph von Benedikt in this episode and he’s going to share his thoughts on some of the best bullets for hunting elk. As you’ll learn here shortly, it’s a pretty big jump moving up from deer and pronghorn to elk. They’re bigger, tougher, and elk hunts just simply often require a whole lot more out of a bullet than deer hunts.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Show sponsor: Get some high quality, reasonably priced ammo using the cartridges discussed in this podcast at Lucky Gunner. That link is an affiliate link. This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. This helps support the podcast and allows me to continue to create free content that’s useful to hunters like yourself. Thanks for your support.

Resources

Ep 104: Elk Hunting Rifles With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 130: Solo Caribou In Alaska With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 162: Moose Hunting With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

Ep 174: Bighorn Sheep Hunting With Joseph von Benedikt – Previous interview with Joseph

1) Joseph's Personal Instagram Page

2) Check out Joseph's podcast: The Backcountry Hunting Podcast on Apple Podcasts

3) Backcountryhuntingpodcast.net – Web site For the Backcountry Hunting Podcast

4) Follow The Backcountry Hunting Podcast on Instagram and Facebook

Happy Thanksgiving! I don’t know about you, but deer hunting and Thanksgiving always seem to go together perfectly for me. For that reason, today I’m going to share the story of my biggest whitetail deer ever, which I shot many, many years ago on the Friday after Thanksgiving. 

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/storyofmybiggestwhitetailbuck/

I have another cartridge comparison for you today where we compare two very popular 22 caliber rounds that both bear the Remington name: the 223 Remington and the 22-250 Remington. That's not surprising and those two cartridges can be incredibly effective on coyotes (and other predators and varmints) and both have accounted for literally truckloads of coyotes over the years. While the 223 and 22-250 are both very popular coyote cartridges, and while there is a good amount of overlap in their performance and ideal use cases, there are some significant differences between the 22-250 vs 223 Remington. With those things in mind, I investigate the 22-250 vs 223 Remington in detail in this episode in order to provide some insight into which rifle cartridge is ideally suited for your specific hunting situation.

Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates).

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you’re afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earbuds to purchase a set of the new AXIL XCOR earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide excellent hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you’ll also get the best pricing on them in the process through that link.

Resources

22-250 vs 223: Which Is Best For Coyote Hunting? – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 223 Remington Ammo For Hunting - 223 Remington hunting ammo recommendations

Best Hunting Rifles Under $500 - Budget hunting rifle recommendations

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/22-250-vs-223-remington/

Many different things can damage your ears, but if you do a lot of hunting with firearms, there's one simple thing you can do to avoid hearing loss and make sure you don't have to wear hearing aids later in life: wear ear protection while you’re hunting.

In this episode, I go over some of the best hunting ear protection products that you should be wearing afield to safeguard your precious hearing.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/how-to-protect-your-hearing-while-hunting

More detailed blog post: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/best-hunting-ear-protection/

We interviewed Clay Newcomb of Bear Hunting Magazine on this episode and he provided a great overview of the awesome bear hunting opportunities available in North America. Even though they are one of the most widely distributed game species on the continent, black bears are still something of an enigma to most hunters.

Fortunately, Clay did a great job removing some the mystery surrounding the subject and explained the difference between black, brown, and grizzly bears, the pros and cons of spring vs fall bear hunts, and provided several recommendations on places to go for a great bear hunt.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/claynewcomb/

Bear Hunting Magazine Web Site

Show Notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/riograndeturkeyhunting101/

Show Sponsor: Please make sure you’re subscribed to the Big Game Hunting Podcast. It’s free to do so, you’ll get all my future episodes delivered to you every Thursday when they come out, and subscribing really helps me out with the podcast algorithms to reach other hunters who are searching for this sort of content. So, pause this episode right now and then hit that “Subscribe” button on whatever podcast service you’re listening to.

What We Covered

1) Why Rio Grande turkey are special and how they compare to other turkey sub-species.

2) Where Rio Grande turkey live and how to identify good habitat.

3) How to hunt Rio Grande turkey.

4) How turkey behavior varies during the course of the day.

5) Shotgun, ammunition, and equipment recommendations for Rio Grande turkey hunting.

6) A brief overview of how to scout a brand new area for Rio Grande turkey, find the birds there, and close the deal with a Tom.

Resources

Subscribe to the Lone Star Outdoor Show.

I got the chance to sit down with Aaron Davidson from Gunwerks at the DSC convention in Atlanta and we discussed the ins and outs of bullet selection, external ballistics, and terminal performance. I felt like I was drinking from a firehose talking to Aaron, but he does a fantastic job of breaking down why he uses various bullets for certain situations, why he opts for certain shot placement with certain bullets, how various bullets behave differently with different impact velocities and shot placement, why Gunwerks offers certain bullets but not others in their ammo, what he thinks about the new 7mm Backcountry, and much more! And of course, he shares a couple of great stories to illustrate the points he makes as well.

Learn more about Gunwerks products on their web site, subscribe to their Long Range Pursuit Podcast, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/Ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.