In this episode we get the inside scoop on Leupold's brand-new BX-6 Range HD binocular, which has optical quality that competes with the big Germanic brands, a 6,000-yard rangefinder, on-board atmospheric sensors, and the most capable ballistic brain on the market. Oh—and it pairs with onX Maps and several other popular GPS mapping apps and projects waypoints way out there... up to a couple of miles!

Many thanks to Leupold's Tim Lesser, who sat down with us and shared the inside story on this incredibly capable new optic... plus great insight on the new VX-4HD line of hunting scopes. ENJOY!

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Trying to decide between Hornady's new .25 Creedmoor and Weatherby's new .25 RPM cartridge? Or are you unconvinced that they are any better than your reliable old .25-06 or .257 Weatherby Magnum? We're here to help! Or rather, we've got professional help... We're joined this episode by Colton Heward; professional big game guide and Managing Editor of Peterson's Hunting. He's a quarter-bore savant from way back, and has already hunted New Zealand and Old Mexico with these new .25-caliber hot-rods.

We talk through the various characteristics and strengths of each, and Colton supports his opinions with awesome stories about hunting Himalyan Tahr in giant mountains, Red Stags in hell-holes, and Coues Deer in vast deserts... ENJOY!

Northern Shrike Drop Warning! Contact Siembida Custom Knives: (740) 270-9057

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Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

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Achieving top-notch accuracy with your hunting rifle requires attention to the smallest details. Here, we're joined by Ray Saft, owner of Saft Custom Gunsmithing in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss the hidden but essential elements of putting together a precision hunting rifle. We talk best actions, barrels, stocks, and of course, cartridges. Tune in—you'll want to hear Ray's opinion on the .300 Win Mag and the 6.8 Western! ENJOY!

Contact Ray Saft Custom Gunsmithing: (907) 830-8874

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

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www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

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https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com

It's been six years since the Northern Shrike custom hunting knife was conceived. Incredibly, there's no corner of the (legally huntable) world remaining where it hasn't been carried by intrepid hunters. This episode takes a look at why it's so extraordinary, and gives a sneak peek at what our Spring 2026 "Blue Collar" edition is going to be like. ENJOY!

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

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www.browning.com

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Friends, I'll be at the Dallas Safari Club in early February. We'll be holding meet-and-greet visits at booth 3216 Friday and Saturday 10-to-noon, and 3-5pm. Use code JOSEPH26 to get 25% off your entry tickets, and come swap hunting dreams and make plans with us!

We'll also have Rob Gearing, owner of Spartan Precision Equipment, and Neal Lane, proprietor of Lane Firearms & Appraisals, visiting and answering questions with us.

See you all there!

What is the best cartridge for a kid or beginning hunter to start with? In this episode William (a.k.a. the Backcountry Apprentice) and host Joseph von Benedikt sit down and debate the merits of 14 different cartridge candidates for the title of "Best Kid Cartridge." By process of elimination, we boil it down to just one. Our top pick may surprise you... This episode was great fun, folks. ENJOY!

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

Email us questions here: [email protected]

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

www.onxmaps.com

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https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com

SHOT Show 2026 is drawing to a close, and a ton of great new rifles, shotguns, handguns, scopes, binoculars, cartridges, bullets, and other gear has just been introduced. In this episode, we sit down with gunwriting and YouTube legend Ron Spomer and talk about the coolest new products we saw at the show. There some great stuff coming down the pipeline. ENJOY!

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

Email us questions here: [email protected]

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

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https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com

WHICH IS BEST: .270 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield? In this episode I sit down with the William vB—the "Backcountry Apprentice" himself, and we hash out the pros and cons of each cartridge, discussing:

• Cartridge versatility
• Bullet weight ranges
• Modern bullets available
• Best factory loads
• Best bullets for handloading
• Which is more optimal for whitetails and other deer-size game
• Which is better for elk and for hunting Africa

This one was a ton of fun, folks... We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed making it!

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

Email us questions here: [email protected]

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

www.onxmaps.com

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https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com

Q&A: Best Bullets for Vintage Rifles, Best Moose Cartridge, First Guns for Kids, Barrel Cleaning, Kill Kit Contents, and More!

In this episode we answer great questions on a variety of topics, including:

• Best bullets for classic (vintage) rifles
• NAS3 high-pressure cartridge cases
• Velocity expansion thresholds for monometal bullets
• Best boots for stalking in Africa
• Ultimate moose rifle and cartridge
• Best first rifle for kids
• Barrel cleaning and accuracy degradation
• Kill Kit contents: most crucial gear
• Best carbon-fiber rifle stocks
• Affordable Cape Buffalo hunts
• Hosted Hunts with the podcast

ENJOY!

FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!

Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon.com/backcountry

Email us questions here: [email protected]

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com