Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!

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 performance and still carries like a mountain gun with moderate recoil. Then we jump to the other end of the spectrum: the "300 Super WSM," a SAMMI-chamber 300 WSM built around Barnes' 212-grain LRX bore-rider. G1 BC around .705, 1:8 twist, long-action magazine, advertised 2,800 fps. We discuss the purpose that unusual cartridge serves and Ryan shares a few stories of how it performed afield on Idaho black bear and on a West Texas aoudad cull hunt where he really got to wring out that cartridge at various ranges out to around 800 yards and on multiple animals.

If you hunt with a 308, load copper, or just like Ryan from the Vortex Nation, this one is worth the full run.

Sponsor: Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like ad-free access to the podcast a day early.

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.

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Resources

Subscribe to the Vortex Nation Podcast here or follow the show on YouTube

Ep 271: Vortex Optics With Ryan Muckinhern – Podcast referenced in episode

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 rifle build, why he chose the Copper Rose over a traditional copper or lead-core bullet, what the wound looked like, and why he keeps coming back to the 22 ARC. If you like small cartridges, modern copper bullets, and/or arguments about what actually kills a bear, this one's for you.

Sponsor: Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like ad-free access to the podcast a day early.

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.

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

Resources

Read Tyler's article on Outdoor Life about the 22 ARC & 22 Creedmoor here and watch the video on this subject on the Outdoor Life YouTube channel here

Subscribe to Tyler's Tundra Talk Podcast here.

Follow Tyler on Instagram @thetylerfreel.

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

Ep 316: Dall Sheep Hunting With Tyler Freel – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 344: Moose Hunting With 22 ARC – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 365: 338 Lapua Unleased With Tyler Freel – Podcast referenced in episode

Ep 418: Tyler Freel's Near Death In The Backcountry – Podcast referenced in episode

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 the Gobi.

Sponsor: Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like ad-free access to the podcast a day early.

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.

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

Resources

Ep 151: Rob Gearing On Spartan Precision Bipods and Tripods – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 216: Rob Gearing From Spartan Precision (2022) – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 309: 2024 Update From Spartan Precision – Episode referenced in podcast

Best Hunting Rifle Bipods – Article referenced in podcast

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 widespread popularity and is slowly fading away, despite offering slightly better ballistics. Here's the story of what happened.

If you like classic cartridge history, practical hunting ballistics, and straightforward comparisons, this episode is for you.

Sponsor: Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like my ongoing tour of my new office highlighting lessons learned and interesting stories from past hunts.

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.

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

Resources

5 Dying Rifle Cartridges the Industry Is Abandoning In 2026 (But Still Work)

Pick up a copy of Ron's 7mm Cartridges From Around The World book here

Check Out Ron Spomer's Podcast (on Apple or Spotify), Web Site, & YouTube Channel

Ep 386: Brown & Grizzly Bear Hunting With Ron Spomer

Ep 336: Best Cartridge For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer

Ep 201: Bighorn Sheep Hunting With Ron Spomer

Ep 145: Moose Hunting 101 With Ron Spomer

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 road that led to his first cow elk in Colorado, and William details the DIY Idaho bull elk he shot near home with a left-handed 7mm PRC.

From range practice and gear choices to the emotional rollercoaster of the shot and recovery, these young hunters share their accounts of what it was like for them to take that first animal. Whether you're a parent introducing your kids to hunting or a hunter who still remembers their own first success, this episode is packed with memorable stories from the next generation.

Sponsor: Support me on Patreon receive ad-free episodes of the podcast delivered a day early (Wednesday instead of Thursday). Plus, you'll start to receive the other bonuses I deliver to supporters there. Sign up at Patreon.com/biggamehunter.

Protect your hearing at the range with AXIL MXII Pro electronic earmuffs. They cut harmful noise while still letting you hear what's going on around you, and they even have space to store AXIL X30i earplugs if you want to double up. Get a pair here: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/muffs

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

Resources

172: Elk Hunting With A 6.5 Creedmoor & A 300 Win Mag With Mark Floyd

283: My 2023 New Mexico Mule Deer Hunt With My Son

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 similar performing .375 Ruger, .416 Remington, .416 Hoffman, .416 Taylor, and .416 Ruger.

You'll hear stories from Peter Flack, Harry Selby, Robert Ruark, John Taylor, Robin Hurt, and modern professional hunters, plus practical guidance on when the .375 is enough and when stepping up to a .416 makes sense.

Whether you're choosing a first dangerous game rifle or deciding between these two classics, this episode on the 375 vs 416 will help you make a more informed decision.

Sponsor: Support me on Patreon receive ad-free episodes of the podcast delivered a day early (Wednesday instead of Thursday). Plus, you'll start to receive the other bonuses I deliver to supporters there. Sign up at Patreon.com/biggamehunter.

Protect your hearing at the range with AXIL MXII Pro electronic earmuffs. They cut harmful noise while still letting you hear what's going on around you, and they even have space to store AXIL X30i earplugs if you want to double up. Get a pair here: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/muffs

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, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more.

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.

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

Resources

375 H&H Gel Test Results

458 Win Mag Gel Test Results

124: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

323: Rescured From An Ice Berg In The Arctic Ocean On A Polar Bear Hunt Gone Wrong

375: 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm Comparison

414: Leopard Maulings to Sudan Bongo Hunts With Robin Hurt

416: 416 Caliber Cartridges With Terry Wieland

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 produced eleven of these pygmy antelope. He walks through the hunts for Vaal Rhebok, Bush Duiker, Klipspringer, Cape Grysbok, Steenbok, Damara Dik-Dik, Blue Duiker, Red Duiker, Suni, Oribi, and Red-Flanked Duiker across South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, and Cameroon.

They discuss the specialized habitats and tactics required, the surprisingly effective use of varmint calls on some species, the best cartridges for animals that can weigh under 20 pounds (from .22 Hornet to .375), the challenges of shot placement and taxidermy, SCI scoring realities, and why these little antelope are often more difficult and rewarding than many larger plains-game species. Mike also puts on his biologist hat to explain how so many tiny antelope have thrived in a predator-rich landscape, the heavy bushmeat pressure they face, and the conservation role of places like Zambezi Delta Safaris.

Whether you've already taken a couple of the Tiny Ten or you're just curious about this specialized side of African hunting, this episode delivers both great stories and practical insight.

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, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like my ongoing tour of my new office highlighting lessons learned and interesting stories from past hunts.

Pick up a copy of Mike's books Bringing Back The Lions & Bringing Back The Wild here

Subscribe to Mike's show The Bringing Back The Wild Podcast

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

Resources

Get a signed copy of Mike's books via his web site: MikeArnoldOutdoors.com

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

Ep 253: Hunting In Cameroon With Mike Arnold– Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast

Ep 330: Hunting In Nyala And Bushbuck With Mike Arnold– Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast

Ep 379: Croc & Spotted Hyena In Mozambique With Mike Arnold– Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast

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 each made over the years so your safari is as safe, fun, and successful as possible.

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, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like the feedback from other supporters on lessons they learned from their first safari.

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

Resources

Affiliate links to where you can purchase some of the items Julius & I discussed are below.

The Perfect Shot II by Kevin Robertson (and/or the mini-edition)

Permetherin Clothes Treatment

Picardin inscet repellant lotion

Hunting Ear Protection

Darn Tough Socks

Wheeler Torque Wrench

378: Hunting Africa With Double Rifles-Pros And Cons With Julius Fortuna-Check out Julius' previous appearance on the show

264: The Logistics of Hunting Africa Part II (Taxidermy)-Recommended Episode

254: The Logistics of Hunting Africa Part I-Recommended Episode

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 classic in Africa.

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, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

Join the community I'm building on Patreon to receive exclusive bonus content, like my ongoing tour of my new office highlighting lessons learned and interesting stories from past hunts.

45-70 Ballistic Gel Test Results

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

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-guessing, and the incredible emotional payoff when everything finally comes together. We also cover baiting versus hound hunting, why so many hunters miss what should be an easy shot, the realities of following up wounded leopards, and some intense stories of charges and close calls. Whether you've hunted leopard or just dream of doing so, this is a raw, honest, and deeply insightful conversation with one of the most experienced voices in African hunting.

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, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

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.

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

Resources

Subscribe to the Safari Classics YouTube channel for tons of free clips, full hunts, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Grab the Safari Classics TV app and get the complete library of over 300 full African safaris, the PH Perspective series, video podcasts, and new content added every week.