Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
John McAdams 456 episodes Nov 5, 2026
The Big Game Hunting Podcast, hosted by John McAdams, covers subjects like caliber comparisons, Africa hunting, terminal ballistics, and intense hunting stories. Featuring a wide range of guests from industry experts to listeners worldwide, the show focuses on serious big game hunting without fluff. Topics include cape buffalo hunting in Africa and deer, elk, bear, and antelope hunting in North America. New episodes are released every Thursday, and listeners can contact John via email or the show's archive website.
Episodes
448: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Tyler Freel
Tyler Freel is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We play little game where Tyler and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost every
An Antelope Guide Shares His Favorite Antelope Hunting Cartridges
Rob Massa from the R&K hunting company in Wyoming joins me on the show and we talk about the ins and outs of hunting pronghorn antelope: how big they are, what kind of country they live in, what a hunt for them is actually like day to day, how they behave, what makes a good buck, and what kind of rifles, cartridges, bullets, and other gear tend to work best for antelope hunting. Sponsor: Get in to
447: Wyoming Antelope Hosted Hunt Recap With Listeners
In this episode, I recap the recent Big Game Hunting Podcast hosted antelope hunt in Wyoming. Four listeners—Shane, Dave, Ryan, and Joe—joined me on a fantastic trip and every hunter took a nice antelope. This was the first western hunt for all for gentlemen and they each share their thoughts on the experience and a few lessons learned. Sponsor: Get in touch with Rob at The R&K Hunting Company In
Bonus 20: 270 Winchester Parent Case: 30-06 or 30-03?
In this short bonus episode, I dig into one of the most persistent cartridge history arguments in the shooting world: is the 270 Winchester a necked-down 30-06 Springfield or a necked-down 30-03 Springfield? In this episode I walk through the historical timeline, the dimensional facts, what contemporary sources actually said, and why the lack of primary evidence matters. If you've ever wondered wh
446: Erik Cortina-Your Max Range Is Shorter Than You Think
Erik Cortina is a champion F-class shooter, founder of Cortina Precision, and the guy behind the Ethical Hunter Challenge: a deer silhouette with a 1 MOA kill zone at 500 yards and one cold bore shot with no sighters. Erik started hunting in Texas, had a sobering experience regarding the limitations of his skills as a shooter on a Colorado elk hunt, and got hooked on F-class shooting in an effort
Bonus 19: New Hornady 6.8 Western Ammo & More New Hornady Products With Seth Swerczek
Hornady's Seth Swerczek returns to break down the company's late-2026 / 2027 new product lineup, led by the long-awaited 6.8 Western Precision Hunter load with the new 176-grain ELD-X (0.680 G1 BC, ~2,825 fps). We cover how retailer shelf space and consumer demand finally got the cartridge into the Hornady catalog, the ballistic performance of the high-BC bullet, factory ammo + component bullet +
445: 30-06 Family: 25-06, 270, 280, 280 AI, 30-06, 35 Whelen & More
This episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast covers the whole 30-06 family: 25-06 Remington, 6.5-06, 270 Winchester, 280 Remington, 280 Ackley Improved, 30-06 Springfield, 8mm-06, 338-06, and 35 Whelen. You'll learn why the 270 was a big hit, why the 280 wasn't, why two A-Square rounds got a SAAMI stamp and then vanished, and what each remaining sibling is best for in 2026. What's your favorite ro
444: Jeff Cooper's Scout Rifle Specs, Safaris, & More With Richard Mann
Jeff Cooper wanted one rifle a man could carry all day, hunt big game, and defend himself with if he had to. This was supposed to be a handy, compact, & powerful general-purpose rifle, not a battle rifle or a specialized long-range gun. In this episode Richard Mann, author of The Scout Rifle Study, joins me on the show and we talk about Cooper's original Scout Rifle specs, how they changed over th
443: Ryan Muckenhirn's Two 30-Cal Setups: 308 130gr TTSX and 300 Super WSM
Ryan Muckenhirn of Vortex Optics is back and we discuss two very different 30-caliber hunting setups. First up is the load that might raise a few eyebrows, but is also incredibly effective: a 308 Winchester firing Barnes' 130-grain TTSX. Ryan runs it in a 4-pound-13-ounce Kimber Mountain Ascent and that combination is a flat shooting, 400 yard and in load that delivers devastating terminal perform
442: 22 ARC vs Grizzly Bear In Alaska With Tyler Freel
Tyler Freel returns to talk about the Alaska grizzly he killed this spring with a 22 ARC. He used a Zermatt Origin action, 20-inch Proof 1:7 twist barrel, and a 71-grain Maguire Ballistics Copper Rose at about 3,000 fps. His first shot was through the lungs and his second was into the shoulder as the sow turned. She was down in roughly three seconds and covered about seven yards. We cover the rifl
441: Hunting the Roof of the World Tajikistan Argali and High Country Ibex
A hunt in Tajikistan that tops out over 19,000 feet. An argali at 1,200 yards. Kyrgyzstan on horseback and a Mongolia hunt that included wolves working the same animals. Rob Gearing shares stories from three very different Asian mountain hunts: the long, open, high-altitude country of Tajikistan near the Afghan border; camping and horses in Kyrgyzstan; and Toyotas in places they shouldn't go in th
440: 243 Winchester vs 6mm Remington With Ron Spomer
John McAdams sits down with Ron Spomer to talk about the .243 Winchester and the 6mm Remington (originally the .244 Remington). Both are light recoiling, flat shooting 6mm cartridges introduced in the 1950s and have similar performance on paper at first glance. However, the 243 Winchester remains one of the most popular dual-purpose cartridges in America while the .244/6mm Remington never achieved
439: First Big Game-4 Young Hunters Share Their First Successful Hunts
In this special episode, four young hunters sit down to share the stories of their first successful big game animals. My son James talks about preparing for and harvesting his first impala in Africa at age nine with a suppressed 25 Creedmoor. Heidi recounts the excitement (and nerves) of her first deer hunt where she took both a doe and a management buck with a Savage .243, Jake describes the long
438: 416 Rigby vs 375 H&H Big Bore Caliber Comparison
In this episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast, I compare two legendary African dangerous game cartridges: the .375 H&H Magnum and the .416 Rigby. I cover the history and design of both rounds, real-world ballistics, recoil, penetration, rifle and ammunition availability, and how they stack up for buffalo, elephant, and general safari use. I also discuss some of the nuances involved in using the
437: Tiny Ten Hunting In Africa: Mike Arnold's Quest for Pygmy Antelope
John sits down with Mike Arnold (author of Bringing Back the Lions and Bringing Back the Wild, biologist, and host of the Bringing Back the Wild podcast) for a deep dive into one of the more specialized pursuits in African hunting: the Tiny Ten. Mike shares the full story of how his very first African animal — a Vaal Rhebok in the Great Karoo — launched a multi-country quest that eventually produc
436: How to Prepare for an African Safari Hunt (Shooting, Fitness, & More)
Julius Fortuna returns to the podcast in this episode and we discuss how to properly prepare for an African safari hunt. We discuss range prep, boot break-in, physical fitness, gear recommendations, mental readiness, and much more. clothing, fitness, and mental readiness. This episode is packed with practical advice and hard earned lessons to help YOU avoid some of the mistakes Julius & I have eac
435: 45-70 in Africa Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned
My father and I took a father-son safari to Africa armed with classic lever-action rifles in .45-70 Government — my Marlin 1895 and his Winchester 1886. Despite being an uncommon choice on the Dark Continent, the old .45-70 delivered devastating close-range performance. Join me as I share the full story, the challenges we experienced with our set-up, and what we learned from running this American
434: The Spotted Chainsaw-Dave Fulson on Leopard Charges, Follow-Ups & Survival
Watch this full episode on YouTube to see video of the leopard charges, good/bad shots on leopard, etc. https://youtu.be/t8a3DOHP3nQ Dave Fulson from Safari Classics TV joins me in this episode to discuss leopard hunting. He shares his thoughts on why he thinks leopard hunting is uniquely demanding compared to any other animal in Africa: the endless waiting, the mental grind, the constant second-g
433: The Enduring Romance of the British Double Rifle + The 8-Bore Buffalo Hunt
John sits down with Graeme Wright, author of the definitive Shooting the British Double Rifle, to explore why double rifles continue to captivate hunters more than a century after their golden era. Graeme shares how his lifelong fascination began and eventually grew into owning and shooting over 100 double rifles. He explains the original purpose of the double rifle, breaks down key terms (side lo
432: The 6.5x55-The 130+ Year Old Round Delivering 6.5 PRC Performance
Joseph von Benedict returns to the show for a deep dive into one of his favorite classic cartridges: the 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser (aka the 6.5 Swede). Joseph shares a few hunting stories involving the cartridge from Mozambique, New Zealand, and even a giant roe deer in Spain. They break down the cartridge's rich history and Olympic pedigree, why it's still winning fans more than 126 years after its i
431: True Cost of an Africa Hunt: Elk vs Plains Game Safari
Is an African safari really as expensive as most hunters think? I break down the real, all-in costs of a guided plains game hunt in South Africa versus a guided rifle elk hunt in Wyoming — using hard numbers from actual hunts in this episode. I discuss everything: daily rates, trophy fees, licenses, tips, flights, taxidermy, meat processing, shipping trophies and meat home, and all the hidden extr
430: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Jim Harmer
Jim Harmer (aka Backfire on YouTube) is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We play little game where Phil and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and e
429: Is The New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak The End of the 6.5 PRC?
Federal has taken the high-pressure case technology first seen in the 7mm Backcountry and applied it to the 6.5 Creedmoor, creating the new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak. This new ammunition promises to deliver 6.5 PRC level performance out of a standard 6.5 Creedmoor rifle. In this episode, Outdoor Life shooting editor John Snow returns to the podcast to discuss his extensive pre-launch testing of this gro
428: 5 Guns Every Hunter Should Own
If you could only choose 5 guns to hunt with for the rest of your life, what would they be? Join me as I answer that very question as I lay out practical recommendations for a well-rounded five-gun battery that covers everything from small game, birds, and varmints to medium and dangerous big game. What's your ideal five-gun battery? Drop a comment on YouTube/Spotify or email John at john@thebigga
427: Weatherby Rifles & Cartridges Explained With Tyler Grethen
In this episode, John McAdams sits down with Tyler Grethen, Marketing Director at Weatherby, for a comprehensive look at one of America's most storied firearm manufacturers. Tyler shares the fascinating history of Roy Weatherby — from door-to-door insurance salesman and garage tinkerer to creator of some of the fastest production cartridges ever made. They discuss the move from California to Wyomi
426: The Savage Model 99-The Thinking Man's Deer Rifle with Bryce Towsley
Bryce M. Towsley joins John McAdams for a comprehensive look at the Savage Model 99 rifle. From its origins with Arthur Savage and the early 1899/99 models to its innovative internal hammer, rotary magazine with cartridge counter, and ability to handle modern smokeless cartridges with pointed bullets, we cover what made this lever action truly different from the Winchesters and Marlins of its era.
425: 425 Westley Richards: History, Ballistics & Dangerous Game Performance
L.D. McCaa of Westley Richards dives deep into the history and performance of the .425 Westley Richards — one of the most unique and effective British dangerous game cartridges of the early 20th century. In this episode you'll learn: F.C. Selous story and how he tested his new .425 rifle, why Westley Richards created the first rebated-rim short magnum on a standard Mauser action, design details of
424: 300 HAM'R: Bill Wilson's 3,300+ Hogs, Zebra, Wildebeest, & More
Bill Wilson, founder of Wilson Combat, shares the story behind the 300 HAM'R — the AR-15 cartridge he designed to outperform the 300 Blackout and match the legendary 30-30 Winchester out of a 16″ barrel. In this wide-ranging conversation, Bill dives deep into why he moved away from high weight retention bullets, the devastating performance of Lehigh Controlled Chaos bullets, real-world results on
423: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Phil Massaro
Phil Massaro is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We play little game where Phil and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost every
422: Best Rangefinding Binoculars? Leupold BX-6 Range HD + New VX-4HD & VX-5HD Gen 2 Scope
In this episode, John sits down with the Leupold team to explore their exciting 2026 hunting optics lineup, headlined by the all-new BX-6 Range HD 10×42 rangefinding binoculars. This flagship optic delivers best-in-class glass, industry-leading Hornady 4DOF ballistics with real-time environmental sensors, precise GPS pinning to OnX and other mapping apps, and ranging out to 6,000 yards. The conver
421: AR-15s, AR-10s, and NULAs: What Hunters Need from Wilson Combat's Lineup
John McAdams sits down with Sebastian Mann of Wilson Combat to explore the company's rich history, innovative rifle lineup, and commitment to building firearms that hunters actually use in the field. Sebastian shares a memorable childhood story of receiving a custom lightweight 1911 from Bill Wilson himself, then dives into Wilson Combat's evolution from 1911 pistols to modern AR-15s, AR-10s, and
420: Mountain Lion Hunting Cartridges, Bullets, & Strategies With Jim Myers
Long time listener Jim Myers joins me on the show today to talk about mountain lion hunting: cartridges, bullets, and his tactics that have resulted in him successfully harvesting a mountain lion in 4 out of the past 5 years despite living in a state where hunting mountain lion with hounds is illegal. Sponsor: Make sure you're signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebook
419: 257 Weatherby RPM With Richard Mann
Field & Stream shooting editor and 25 caliber aficionado Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 257 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum. Richard discusses the origins of the 257 RPM, some of his experiences shooting and hunting with it, how it compares to the 25-06, 25 Creedmoor, and 257 Weatherby, and what the new Weatherby cartridge offers hunters. Sp
418: Tyler Freel's Near Death In The Backcountry + 22 ARC & 22 Creedmoor
Tyler Freel had a brush with death on a recent hunt in Idaho and he joined me on the podcast to discuss the incident, his injuries, and what his recovery has been like. We also finish with an in-depth discussion on his recent work with the 22 ARC, 22 Creedmoor, and 220 Swift and how they all stack up next to each other. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book
417: Double Rifles, 500 NE & Elephant Charges With Jeff Rann
Jeff Rann, one of Africa's most legendary professional hunters with nearly 50 years guiding dangerous game, joins me on the podcast to share his incredible stories of hunting elephant in Botswana. He takes us inside what it's really like to track big bulls, get in as close as 20–30 yards for precise brain shots, face down real charges, and judge trophy ivory on mature animals while navigating the
416: 416 Caliber Cartridges With Terry Wieland
Gunwriter Terry Wieland joins me on the show as we discuss his thoughts on the various .416 caliber cartridges: the 416 Rigby, the 416 Remington Magnum the 416 Weatherby Magnum, the 416 Ruger, and even the 416 Hoffman and the 416 Taylor. We talk about the pros and cons of those different rounds, which 416 he prefers over the others out of that bunch, how those 416s stack up against the various 375
415: 10 Best African Safari Book Recommendations For Hunters
Today, I'm unveiling my definitive list of what I think are the 10 greatest African hunting books ever written. This list of African safari book recommendations includes works from people like Hemingway, Roosevelt, Ruark, Capstick, and other legendary writers. These Africa hunting books have everything you could ask for: heart-pounding adventures, adrenaline soaked drama, close calls that will mak
414: Leopard Mauling To Sudan Bongo Hunts with Robin Hurt
Legendary Professional Hunter Robin Hurt joins me on the show today as we discuss some of his adventures hunting all over Africa like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Zaire, Zambia, and Namibia. As you can imagine from a man who got his PH license over 60 years ago in 1963, Robin has quite a few stories to tell about some of his wild adventures over the years and that's what we discuss in this epis
413: Following In The Footsteps Of Ernest Hemingway With Griffin & Howe
Dan Rossiter from Griffin & Howe joins me on the show to talk about the fantastic hunting rifles the company produces. Of note, Griffin & Howe produces rifles ranging from near replicas of those famous hunters like Ernest Hemingway took to Africa last century, to modern long range hunting rifles, to bespoke American made rifles on par with the "best" quality custom rifles produced by British gunma
412: Stories From The African Bushveld With Johan Seyffert
I sat down with Johan Seyffert, one of my South African Professional Hunters, at the 2026 Safari Club International convention and recorded a short interview about some of his more memorable hunts from 2025, some funny and noteworthy experiences he has had over the years (like how a baboon interfered with a building remodel), and what he is most looking forward to in 2026. Sponsor: Get in touch wi
411: 458 Win Mag vs 45-70 Govt Cartridge Comparison
Here's how the mighty 458 Winchester Magnum stacks up against the venerable 45-70 Government cartridge, especially with regards to how both perform in Africa. In this episode, we discuss the history, design characteristics, and performance specs of each round. We'll also discuss the pros and cons of each one, a few stories involving hunting with the 45-70 and 458 Win Mag, and I'll also discuss the
410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa
We're talking about the best cartridges for hunting Africa in this episode: plains game, thick-skinned dangerous game, cats, etc. The cartridges I list in this episode are based off the results of surveys I've recently conducted of over 2,000 hunters from all over the world who have hunted Africa. In addition to breaking down those cartridges that are most popular for hunting Africa in general, I
409: 49 Years Of African Safaris With Craig Boddington
Craig Boddington joins me on the show today as we discuss trends he has observed since his first African hunting safari nearly 49 years ago. Craig and I talk about countries that have opened and closed hunting since his first safari, dramatic changes in the populations of various animals (for better and worse) that have occurred since then, trends he has noticed in various Africa countries in term
408: Best Bullets For Hunting Plains Game In Africa
We're talking about the best bullets for hunting plains game in Africa in this episode. I've hunted a lot of plains game with a wide spectrum of bullets, so I'll talk about some of my noteworthy experiences with those different models and provide some recommendations for plains game hunting bullets based on those experiences. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come tr
407: New 35 Whelen & 9.3x62mm Rifles From Ruger
Lipsey's and Ruger have teamed up to release a couple of new Hawkeye and No. 1 rifles in 35 Whelen and 9.3×62. Those are outstanding rifles (especially in 9.3x62mm) for hunting the whole spectrum of game ranging from whitetail adeer and feral hogs up to cape buffalo and elephant in Africa. Jason Cloessner from Lipsey's joins me on the show today to discuss these new rifles in detail. Sponsor: Get
406: Gemsbok Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Kevin Robertson shares some insights on gemsbok hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on gemsbok biology, where they live, what they eat (and how that affects their behavior), how trophy quality varies from region to region, and some fascinating stories involving gemsbok hunting in Africa. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. W
405: 405 Winchester-Roosevelt's Medicine Gun For Lions
We're talking about the 405 Winchester today, which is President Theodore Roosevelt's legendary medicine gun for lions. To this day, that statement remains one of the most effective presidential endorsements of any product ever. We will discuss more details of how that cartridge performed for Theodore Roosevelt in Africa, plus I'll also cover the history and performance specs of the cartridge, it'
404: 404 Jeffery With Phil Massaro
Phil Massaro shares some insights on the 404 Jeffery in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the cartridge, its performance specifications, and some fascinating stories about his hunts equipped with the 404 on game like black bear, water buffalo, cape buffalo, and elephant. Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest a
403: Muzzleloader Elk In Arizona With Andrew Marlin
I got the chance to sit down with Andrew Marlin from The Dove Guy podcast in this episode and he shares the story of his successful, muzzleloader self-guided elk hunt in Arizona this year. 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
402: Worst & Best Creedmoor-22 vs 6mm vs 25 vs 6.5 Creedmoor
Here are my thoughts on the entire Creedmoor family: the 22 Creedmoor, the 6mm Creedmoor, the 25 Creedmoor and the 6.5 Creedmoor. We'll discuss how they stack up next to each other on paper, how they perform afield on game, and what the ideal use cases are for each one. I'll also share my picks for the "Best Creedmoor" and the "Worst Creedmoor". Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and s
401: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann
Richard Mann is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We're play little game where Richard and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost
400: 40 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
I discuss all of the 40 caliber SAAMI standardized rifle cartridges (plus one other noteworthy CIP round) 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 v
BONUS: Vote For Me For Podcast Of The Year!
I am honored to be among those nominated for the Podcast of The Year award at the 2026 Gundies. Thank you to all of you who nominated me for this award. Voting for the Gundies begins TODAY, 1 December 2025 and I need your votes again to win it. Cast your vote at TheGundies.com and help me take home the win! You can vote once each day from now until 15 December 2025. Thanks for your vote!
399: 8mm & 32 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
I discuss all of the 8mm and 32 caliber SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy CIP 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
398: 6.5mm Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
I discuss all of the 6.5mm SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy CIP 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 var
397: An Elk Guide Shares His Favorite Elk Hunting Cartridges
Today, Rob Massa from the Bergara Academy and the R&K Hunting Company in Wyoming joins me on the show to discuss some observations he has made on what cartridges and bullets work and don't work from over 20 years outfitting elk hunts in Wyoming. I first met Rob while attending an event at the Bergara long range shooting Academy in 2024 and I was incredibly impressed both with his knowledge of shoo
396: 2025 Wyoming Elk Hunt Recap
I just made it home from an outstanding elk hunt in Wyoming! Despite some unique struggles, I had an amazing trip and I successfully took a beautiful bull elk. Today's episode is a detailed recap of this hunt, evaluations of some gear I used, and some of the lessons we learned along the way. I also share two exciting announcements near the end. Check out my video of the hunt here: 7mm PRC Elk Hunt
395: 22 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison
John McAdams shares insights on the 22 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on how different 6.5 Creedmoor and 22 Creedmoor factory loads have performed on game
394: 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, & Magnum Muzzleloaders From CVA With Brad Watts
Brad Watts, the director of marketing for CVA, joins me on the show to talk about the diverse array of muzzleloaders and rifles CVA produces. Of note, CVA currently produces a number of rifles in more esoteric cartridges like 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, and 400 Legend. Not only that, but they also produce other rifles and muzzleloaders that are in compliance with very specific hunting regulations in st
393: Best Deer Hunting Ammo For 2025
John McAdams shares three different recommendations for ammunition and bullets for deer hunters to use in 2025 informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each offerings. Plus, he also shares some details on how those different bullets have per
392: 6.5 PRC vs 270 Winchester Caliber Comparison
The legendary 270 Winchester celebrates its 100th birthday this year in 2025. So, in honor of that impressive milestone, I conduct a deep dive comparing the venerable 270 Winchester to a much newer round with a more modern design that, as you'll learn here shortly, has shockingly similar performance: the 6.5 PRC. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the
391: 7mm Backcountry, 277 Sig, & Seekins Precision With Matty Nelson
Matty Nelson, the director of business management for Seekins Precision, joins me on the show to talk about his company their hunting rifles. Of note, Seekins Precision was one of the first companies to pick up both of the SAAMI standardized high pressure cartridges we have right now in the 277 Sig Fury and the new 7mm Backcountry. Not only that, but all the rifles they're producing today are forw
390: 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison
John McAdams shares insights on the 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on how different 6.5 Creedmoor and 25 Creedmoor factory loads have performed on game
389: Taurus & Rossi Firearms With Caleb Giddings
Caleb Giddings, the marketing general manager for Taurus holdings, joins me on the show to talk about Taurus and Rossi firearms. We discuss the history of Taurus and Rossi, the details on some of the hunting handguns and rifles they each offer, and a few hunting stories involving those guns afield hunting in Africa. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on t
388: 25 Creedmoor-A Triple Threat Cartridge With Richard Mann
Field & Stream shooting editor Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 25 Creedmoor. Richard discusses the origins of the 25 Creedmoor, some of his experiences shooting and hunting with it back when it was a wildcat cartridge, why he thinks it's the perfect "Triple Threat" cartridge for varmint hunting, big game hunting, and competition shooting, and wh
387: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Larry Weishuhn
Larry Weishuhn (aka Mr. Whitetail) is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We're play little game where Larry and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and
386: Hunting Brown & Grizzly Bear With Ron Spomer
Ron Spomer is back on the show to discuss his adventures hunting brown and grizzly bear on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia as well as in Alaska. Ron shares the stories of those hunts (a couple of which are pretty wild) along with a discussion on the rifles, cartridges, and bullets he used. Sponsor: Make sure you're signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebo
385: North Fork Bullets-Africa's Premier Bullets?
North Fork bullets have a stellar reputation for hunting in Africa and are considered by some to be among the best projectiles available for hunting the continent. To that end, North Fork Bullets' technical support specialist and fellow investor Jay Parnell joins John on the podcast today to discusses the whole lineup of North Fork Bullets products, how they're different from the competition, whic
384: 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast Safari Recap
As promised, I have a more comprehensive recap of my 2025 African safari hunt with several podcast listeners for you today. I'll talk about that hunt in more detail today and provide some reflections on the results of the hunt, what the Free State was like, and how my equipment (especially my new rifles in 25 Creedmoor and 7mm PRC) performed. Subscribe to my YouTube channel here to ensure you don'
383: Tracking Buffalo Like Your Life Depends On It
Though I've interviewed plenty of great Professional Hunters over the years, you don't hear from many trackers in podcast interviews for various reasons. That changes in this episode where I sit down with Pheilemon Mathoko, one of our trackers in South Africa. He is one of the best, if not the best trackers I've ever had the privilege to work with. He and I discuss how to tell whether a track is o
382: Live from South Africa!
Join me, the three podcast listeners I just hunted with in Africa, and our entire crew of PHs for an informal "campfire style" discussion of the highlights of our July 2025 safari in South Africa's Free State & Limpopo Provinces! Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, ass
381: A Cape Buffalo Hunt 30 Years In the Making With Jimmy Epperson
Jimmy Epperson dreamed about hunting Cape buffalo for over 30 years before Big Game Hunting Adventures helped turn that wish into a reality for him in 2023. Jimmy also just returned from another hunt with us in early 2025 for some of the species he didn't get on his first trip. Like Scott Spanton, Jimmy has a unique perspective on what it's like hunting very early in the hunting season vs very lat
380: From Iraq & Afghanistan To Hunting South Africa
Army veteran Matt Tyree was the lucky veteran selected for the plains game safari I gave away as part of my 5 year Big Game Hunting Podcast Anniversary with my South African PH's Johan and Kobus. Matt literally just returned from the hunting safari of a lifetime and joins me on the show today to tell us how things went! Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on
379: Croc & Spotted Hyena In Mozambique With Mike Arnold
Mike Arnold is back on the show to discuss his safari in Mozambique for spotted hyena and crocodile. Mike shares the story of that hunt (where, among other things, he took a monster crocodile) along with his new book: Bringing Back The Wild. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt lo
378: Hunting Africa With A Double Rifle-Pros & Cons With Julius Fortuna
Julius Fortuna of the Double Rifle Society discusses hunting Africa using a double rifle in this podcast interview, focusing on the pros and cons of double rifles for various situations, reasonable accuracy and effective range expectations, how to regulate a double rifle, popular cartridges for double rifles, the pros and cons of several modern production double rifles, and a few stories involving
377: Charging Buffalo & Kudu In The Snow With Kobus Kok
I sat down with one of my South African Professional Hunters, Kobus Kok, at the Dallas Safari Club convention and recorded a short interview. Among other things, we discuss how he got started in this line of work along with some noteworthy experiences from his career, like two extremely close range encounters with buffalo and one kudu hunt in the snow. We also talk about misconceptions people have
376: Africa Hunting 101
Interested in hunting Africa but don't quite know where to start? This is an "Africa Hunting 101" episode aimed at answering many of the basic questions first time hunters have prior to booking a hunt in Africa like: where to go, what animals they should focus on, the pros and cons of hunting at various times of year, how to pick a good outfitter, etc. John also shares a few examples of what anima
375: 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm & Ruger Hawkeye vs Safari Magnum
John McAdams shares insights on the 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm informed by real world data obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, pros and cons, and some hunting stories involving each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on what he thinks about the Ruger M77 Mk II (aka Ruger Safari Magnum
374: Kudu Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Kevin Robertson shares some insights on kudu hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on the kudu biology, where they live, what they eat (and how that affects their behavior), how trophy quality varies from region to region, and some fascinating stories involving hunting in Africa. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer ou
373: Hunting Africa With Unusual Rounds: 45-70, 50-110 & More
My father, Kevin McAdams joins me in this episode to discuss three African safaris where he used classic and indeed unusual rifles and cartridges like 22 Hornet, 33 WCF, 577/450 Martini Henry, 45-70, and 50-110 Winchester. We'll discuss how those cartridges performed over there along with several fascinating stories from those hunts involving animals like aardwolf, cheetah, honey badger, mongoose,
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