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

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. 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 just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. 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 Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter

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).

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

Resources

Below are links to Kevin Robertson'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

Ep 329: .50, .60, & .70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Ep 357: Kevin Robertson's Two Near Death Experiences From Sable

Ep 374: Kudu Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

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's strengths and limitations, some other hunting stories involving it, and some recommendations on the best use cases for the round.

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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. 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!

North Fork produces several projectiles that are outstanding choices for the 405 Winchester that take the performance of the cartridge to the next level. You can purchase North Fork bullets in the .411 and .413 bore diameters (as well as many others: .308, .338, .375 caliber, etc.) directly from the North Fork web site, from MidwayUSA, or from our network of other distributors all over the world.

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

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 answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter

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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for 2026. 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!

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

Resources

Follow Phil on Instagram @philmassaro

Ep 74: Big Bore Rifles & Hunting Dangerous Game With Phil Massaro

Ep 85: Phil Massaro On Hunting Plains Game In Africa

Ep 157: Africa Hunting Expectations With Phil Massaro

Ep 180: Double Rifles With Phil Massaro

Ep 331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe

Ep 367: Auodad Hunting With Phil Massaro

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 every weekday.

Get in touch with Grant McCune of Zona Guides to book an elk, antelope, deer, or bear hunt in Arizona. [email protected] (928) 713-3412

Get in touch with Rob Massa at The R&K Hunting Company In Wyoming to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. They can also help you get a tag with little or no points for those species. Visit their web site or call Rob at (435) 979-1497 to learn more.

Resources

Follow Andrew on Instagram and check out The Dove Guy Podcast on Apple and Spotify

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 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.

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe to see the video of the hunt in Africa I referenced in this episode where a listener took 29 animals with the 6.5 Creedmoor. Supporters also will also have the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics and will receive access to all my other bonus material.

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

Resources

Ep 395: 22 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor

Ep 390: 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor

Ep 388: The 25 Creedmoor With Richard Mann

Ep 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow

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 everything in between like mule deer, elk, black bear, etc. The catch is we cannot reuse a cartridge for multiple species. Even so, our discussion provides an interesting glimpse into the thought process he and I each use for selecting cartridges and bullets for hunting different species of game.

Sponsor: I'm honored to be nominated for Podcast of the Year in the 2026 Gundies Awards! Voting is open from December 1–15. Cast your vote daily and help me take home the win at TheGundies.com

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

Resources

Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter – Richard Mann's book referenced in this podcast

Learn more about Richard by supporting him on Substack: Empty Cases Substack

Ep 388: 25 Creedmoor-A Triple Threat Cartridge With Richard Mann – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 387: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Larry Weishuhn – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 372: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With WHO_TEE_WHO – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 336: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 315: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Joseph von Benedikt – Episode referenced in interview

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 various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well.

Cartridges covered: 44-40 WCF, 45-70 Government, 577/450 Martini-Henry, 405 Winchester, 44 Remington Magnum, 444 Marlin, 450 Marlin, 450 Bushmaster, 400 Legend

Sponsor: I'm honored to be nominated for Podcast of the Year in the 2026 Gundies Awards! Voting is open from December 1–15. Cast your vote daily and help me take home the win at TheGundies.com

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.

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics and also obtain access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter

44-40 Profile | Winchester 1873 44-40 Gel Test

.577/450 Martini-Henry Rifle & Cartridge: History, Ballistics, Hunting & Gel Test Results

African Rifles & Cartridges by John Taylor

African Game Trails by Theodore Roosevelt

To Ride, Shoot Straight, And Speak The Truth by Jeff Cooper

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: 7mm Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges: 303 British, 7.x62x54R, etc.

Episode 358: 35 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 398: 6.5mm Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 399: 8mm/32 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

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!

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 involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well.

Cartridges covered: 8x57mmI, 8x57mmIS, 8x57mmIR, 8x57mmIRS, 8x60mm S, 8x64mm S, 8x68mm S, 8mm-06, 7.92x33mm, 32 Winchester Self Loading, 32 Winchester Special, 32 Remington, 8mm Remington Magnum, 325 WSM

Sponsor: I'm honored to be nominated for Podcast of the Year in the 2026 Gundies Awards! Voting is open from December 1–15. Cast your vote daily and help me take home the win at TheGundies.com

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.

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics and also obtain access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: 7mm Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges: 303 British, 7.x62x54R, etc.

Episode 358: 35 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 398: 6.5mm Cartridge Roll-Up

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 various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well.

Cartridges covered: 6.5x52mm Carcano, 6.5×55 Swede, 6.5x57mm, 6.5x50mm Japanese, 6.5x54MS, 6.5-06, 264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5mm Remington Magnum, 260 Remington, 6.5-284 Norma, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, 26 Nosler, 6.5-300 Weatherby, 6.5 PRC, 6.5 Weatherby RPM

Sponsor: Support me on Patreon to see the terminal ballistics analysis of the Kennedy assassination (which involved one of these rounds discussed in this episode) conducted by an experienced trauma surgeon. Supporters also receive access to my other bonus material.

The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter

Rifle Cartridges For The Hunter by Richard Mann

Episode 172: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag For Elk Hunting

Episode 282: 6.5 Creedmoor For Grizzly Bear?!

Episode 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: 7mm Cartridge Roll-Up

Episode 345: The "Other" 30 Caliber Cartridges: 303 British, 7.x62x54R, etc.

Episode 358: 35 Caliber Cartridge Roll Up