Inspired by all the interest in Federal's ground-breaking new 7mm Backcountry cartridge, we recently held a live Q&A with our Patreon members. Here are the great questions we fielded and discussed: 

• Is the 7mm Backcountry, with it's 80,000 PSI chamber pressure, safe in traditional bolt-action designs? 
• I wanted a .280 Ackley. Should I switch and get a 7mm Backcountry instead? 
• Are 7mm Backcountry steel alloy cases reloadable? If so, how hard is that going to be? 
• How does the cartridge's 80,000 psi pressure affect barrel life? 
• Supposedly the 7mm Backcountry kicks a lot less than other 7mm magnums. How can that be? 
• Is it safe to fire the 80,000 psi 7mm Backcountry through my suppressor? 
• Will this cartridge be affected by the powder shortage? Should we expect to see a lack of 7mm Backcountry ammo on store shelves? 
• What's the accuracy potentail of the 7mm Backcountry cartridge? 
• What 7mm Backcountry rifle should I buy? 
• Can an existing rifle be rebarreled to 7mm Backcountry? 
• Are 7mm Backcountry steel cases coated? Or will they rust if exposed to moisture? 
• What's the best rifling twist rate for a custom 7mm Backcountry? 
• What are the characteristics of the various bullets being factory-loaded in 7mm Backcountry ammo? 
• Will we see Federal's steel Peak Alloy case technology bleed over into classic cartridges, enabling high-pressure/high-performance ammo? For example, could a .308 be made to shoot like a traditional .300 Win. Mag. load? 

Hopefully this candid episode will help address concerns and clear up some myths about the 7mm Backcountry cartridge. We sure had fun talking about it. ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

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This episode takes us far out into the Aleutian Islands off the west coast of Alaska's mainland, to hunt wild bison. Recorded audio-journal style, we're bringing it to you raw and unedited. 

Hunting by invitation with Jack Jaeger, who is designated to hunt buffalo for the tribal elders, we circumnavigate the island on a small fishing boat, landing in a skiff and hunting up from the coast when buffalo are sighted. 

With a big cow taken and the quarters packed out and hung to age, we weather howling winds and slashing rain, and then ascend into the Island's high peaks in an attempt to find a big bull. 

Thwarted by fog, fierce winds, and relentless rain, we had to pull out and get dry and warm. Then, for days, we hunkered down and waited while the airline canceled flights day after day. 

This was type 2 fun at its finest, folks! If you're interested in trying a similar adventure yourself, contact Jack Jaeger. His info is in the show notes below. 

ENJOY! 

Contact Jack Jaeger on Facebook

Call or text Jack: (808) 854-1127

Email Jack: [email protected]

Leupold just launched a new flagship hunting scope, called the VX-6HD Gen 2. 

Friends, I didn't think the first-generation VX-6HD could get any better. But by golly, Leupold has successfully improved my favorite riflescope. The new Gen 2 version has an improved, tool-less turret, a built-in throw lever on the power ring, and most importantly, it's now got the same internal guts and gears as Leupold's legendary Mark 5 line of precision/tactical scopes. 

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Lesser, Vice President of product development and marketing  and get an awesome backstage look at the new VX-6HD Gen 2 riflescope. This was an awesome episode to record... ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

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In this episide, Alaskan custom gunsmith Ray Saft and I dig deep into the various characteristics of actions, stocks, barrels, cartridges, and special chambers appropriate for a backcountry rifle build. 

To showcase the process of discussing and commissioning a custom rifle, we use a pair of in-process 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser mountain rifles, one with a titanium action and carbon-fiber barrel; the other with a skeletonized steel action and traditional steel barrel. 

This is part one of a three-part series we're doing. When completed, we'll discuss the rifles and upcoming test protocols in Part 2. Then in Part 3, we'll share the results and--with some luck, discuss putting the rifles successfully to work in the field. ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: 

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Really good iron sights are surprisingly capable—and according to Utah's new restricted unit regulations, are required. Five historically great mule deer units are now iron-sights only, even for centerfire hunting rifles. 

So: What's the best iron-sight setup for hunting Western open country? 

In this episode, we're joined by legendary hunter, writer, and YouTube host Ron Spomer to discuss what type of iron sights really work for serious hunting. We talk through appropriate rifles, suitable cartridges, and how to choose and set up the most capable types of iron sights—all liberally sprinkled with hunting stories. 

We also touch on the ethical responsibilities of hunting with iron sights, as well as methods of practicing and maximizing your lethal capability. 

This was a fun one, friends. ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: 

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Ever wonder why you get unexplained fliers when shooting otherwise tiny groups with your ammo? You may be shocked at the common culprit discussed in this episide—as well as how easy it is to prevent.

This episode we're joined by Chris Hoffstetter of Nosler, and we talk through the crucial aspects of ammo that provide accuracy and clean-killing effectiveness. ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: 

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Outfitter Tate Bradfield and his crew took 56 American Buffalo with clients in 2024. This episode, we sit down and discuss the cartridges, bullets, and shot placement that kills Bison most effectively and efficiently. Tate tells tall tales (say that three times fast) of Buffalo getting shot with everything from .243 Winchester to .45-70 Gov't—and has some emphatic advice to share with prospective Bison hunters. This one was a ton of fun, folks. ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: 

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When killing is crucial, not just convenient... Choose the right tool for the task. 

Folks, I resisted addressing this trendy topic of using small calibers on big game for a long time. But I've had so many requests to do so, I can no longer take the easy road. Here's my blunt, fact- and science-based opinion on the practice of using small calibers loaded with target-type bullets on big game. 

ENJOY! 

FRIENDS! Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

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This episode, Weatherby's COO Luke Thorkildsen joins us to talk about backcountry fitness and how the Carnivore diet has revolutionized his backcountry hunting capability. We discuss how to successfully combat middle-age "spare tire" weight gain and increase focus and energy. 

Plus, of course, we take a dive into Luke's personal favorite Weatherby cartridges and specific bullets loaded for them, as well as his go-to rifle models from the Weatherby stable. This one was eye-opening and a ton of fun, folks. ENJOY!

FRIENDS! Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE: 

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https://javelinbipod.com