This is the first episode in my winter 2025 Africa hunting mini-series and I have a special guest on the show with me today: Tanya Blake. Depending on how long you’ve been listening to the show, you may recognize that name because she was Phil Massaro’s PH on the leopard hunt he and I discussed in episode 293. Tanya is a Zimbabwe based Professional Hunter who hunts a number of different species, but leopard are her specialty and we'll be talking all about hunting Mr. Spots in this episode.

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Sponsor: Get in touch with Tanya Blake to book that leopard hunt in Zimbabwe you've always dreamed of. She is a top notch Professional Hunter who has access to some fantastic leopard hunting areas. Email her at [email protected] or call her at +263 77 326 0977 to learn more. Be sure to tell her you heard about her from The Big Game Hunting Podcast and be sure to email me at [email protected] and let me know how your hunt went!

I have Eric Miller on the show with me today to talk about Federal's brand new 7mm Backcountry rifle cartridge. As you’ll learn here shortly, the 7 Backcountry utilizes an innovative design that produces some impressive ballistics and it could possibly be a true game changer that kills off my beloved 7mm PRC.

Learn more about the 7mm Backcountry here

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where 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 have 2 openings remaining for 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more. 

It’s January 2025 and you know what that means: it’s time to start planning hunts for later this year. The Arizona elk and antelope draw is up first and I have Grant McCune from Zona Guides on the show to talk about this in detail. I hear from podcast listeners pretty frequently asking for recommendations on outfitters to hunt species like elk in particular. Well, Grant McCune and Zona Guides are my #1 recommendation for Arizona. I’d go back with him in a heartbeat and I recommend you check out his service if you’d like to hunt Arizona in the future. Grant actually guided me on my 2022 Arizona elk hunt and I was thoroughly impressed with how he did things and still had a great time even though I didn’t end up killing an elk on that hunt. Here's why.

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Sponsor: Get in touch with Grant at Zona Guides to book an elk, antelope, deer, or bear hunt in Arizona. I've hunted with Grant personally and cannot recommend him highly enough: he's trustworthy, hard working, and will work his tail off to ensure you have a quality hunt. I recommend that you contact him before the February 2025 draw deadline to discuss what specific hunts and units you should apply for, but you can also get in touch with him after you pull a tag. Visit his web site, email him at [email protected], or call him at (928) 713-3412 to learn more.

Is the new 22 Creedmoor just the latest fad? Or does it offer significant benefits to hunters compared to more established 22 caliber centerfires like the 22-250 Remington? Today, Derrick Ratliff from Horizon Firearms joins me on the show as we talk about this new hot rod 22 caliber and he shares some insights on why he first started wildcatting the 22 Creedmoor, what uses he thinks the best use cases are for it, what his favorite bullets are for the cartridge, what factory rifle and ammo availability is like right now, and what the future holds for the 22 Creedmoor.

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Giveaway: Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/22giveaway/ to be entered in a random drawing for two boxes of 300 Win Mag Nosler Ballistic Tip ammo. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. All citizens or legal permanent residents of the USA who are over the age of 21 and who are not otherwise prohibited form possessing a firearm, and who lives in a state I can ship to is eligible to enter.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 January 2025 to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions to receive both boxes. 

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where 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 have 2 openings remaining for October and November 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more. 

I'm hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients during the Dallas Safari Club Convention at a conference room in the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown 6-10pm on Friday, 10 January 2025. Email me [email protected] if you'll be attending.

Watch the 22 Creedmoor barrel length video part 1 here and part 2 here

Watch my 22 Creedmoor ballistic gel test here

Check out The Horizon Arms web site here

Follow Horizon Firearms on Instagram here

Larry Weishuhn, also known as "Mr. Whitetail" joins me on the show today to talk about some of the finer points of whitetail deer hunting. I’ve always wanted to sit down with an accomplished deer hunter and wildlife biologist Larry and pepper him with specific questions about how to take my deer hunting game to the next level. Well, that’s what we do today and we discuss all sorts of burning questions I’ve had about deer hunting like whether or not it’s really a good idea to urinate on deer scrapes, how to determine the exact day that’s best for tagging a mature buck during the rut, what exactly is going on during the October lull, and much more. 

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Giveaway: Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/cxgiveaway to be entered in a random drawing for two boxes of 7mm PRC Outfitter ammo. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. All citizens or legal permanent residents of the USA who are over the age of 21 and who are not otherwise prohibited form possessing a firearm, and who lives in a state I can ship to is eligible to enter.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 25 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions to receive both boxes. 

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where 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 have 2 openings remaining for September, October, and November 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more. 

I'm hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients during the Dallas Safari Club Convention at a conference room in the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown 6-10pm on Friday, 10 January 2025.    

Resources: Follow Larry on Instagram here.

Check out his TV show A Sportsman's Life here

Check out his web site here

And pick up one of his signature knives here

Today, we’re going to talk about bullet failures. Bullet failures are a hot topic, especially when they involve certain, very polarizing bullets and/or cartridges. I absolutely believe they do occur, but I think they get blamed unfairly for a lot of wounded and lost game. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve had tell me they made a perfect shot, but the bullet “blew up on the shoulder” and the animal ran off, never to be seen again. Like I said, bullet failures do occur though and I’ve compiled a giant list of those sorts of stories to share with you in this episode. 

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

Watch the video of the Berger bullet gel test I described in this episode here.

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where 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 have 4 openings remaining for September, October, and November 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at [email protected] to learn more. 

I'll be at the Dallas Safari Club convention in Atlanta 9-12 January 2025 with 2 of my African PHs (Johan and Kobus) and we'd love to meet you if you'll be attending the show. We're hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients at a conference room in the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown 6-10pm on Friday, 10 January 2025.    

Address is: 431 Marietta Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Pizza and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP by emailing me [email protected] if you plan on attending!

Giveaway: I’m giving away 2 boxes of Federal Fusion ammo for the 308 Winchester.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/ammogiveaway to be entered in a random drawing for this ammo. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. All citizens or legal permanent residents of the USA who are over the age of 21 and who are not otherwise prohibited form possessing a firearm, and who lives in a state I can ship to is eligible to enter.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 18 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 19 December to receive both boxes. 

Today we’re going to talk about 2 22 caliber cartridges designed for use in America’s favorite gun in the AR-15 platform: the 223 Remington and the 22 ARC. As always, we’ll discuss the overall design characteristics and performance specs of each round, then compare how they stack up next to each other. I’ll also cover how they each perform in some ballistic gel tests and discuss some interesting aspects of how they each performed at the range. 

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

Sponsor: I’m giving away 2 boxes of Barnes VOR-TX LR ammo for the 6.5 Creedmoor loaded with the 127gr Barnes LRX bullet.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for this ammo. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. Anyone over the age of 21 who is not otherwise prohibited form possessing a firearm, and who lives in a state I can ship to is eligible to enter.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 11 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 12 December to receive both boxes. 

223 vs 22 ARC: New Hot Rod? Or Old Reliable – Blog article referenced in podcast

Best 223 Remington Ammo For Hunting - 223 Remington hunting ammo recommendations

Best Hunting Ear Protection For Sportsmen – Ear protection recommendations

Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting - Rifle scope recommendations

Best Hunting Rifle Slings - Rifle sling recommendations

Today, I discuss all of the other .30 caliber cartridges I didn't cover in episode 286. None of these rounds use a .308" bullet, but all are still .30 caliber cartridges and most fill a similar niche as the .308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield in various parts of the world. 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: 7.5x55 Swiss, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54R, 7.62x53R, 7.65x53 Argentine Mauser, 303 British, 7.5x54mm MAS, 7.7x58mm Arisaka, 32-20 Winchester

Join me at the Dallas Safari Club Convention in Atlanta 9-12 January 2025. More details are forthcoming, but I'll be hosting an event for listeners and past, present, and future African safari clients at the show.

Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 345: 7mm Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Join me at the Dallas Safari Club Convention in Atlanta, Georgia 9-12 January 2025. I will be attending the show with 2 of my African PHs (Johan and Kobus) and we'd love to meet you in person if you'll be at the show. We will be hosting an event for podcast listeners and past/future safari hunters Friday or Saturday (10 or 11 January). Stay tuned for more details!

Email me at [email protected] if you have suggestions for a venue to host this event in Atlanta.

Check out my new video on the best hunting rifle slings here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kJUP2QuUR4

Have you ever had a bullet truly fail you on an animal?

Email me at [email protected] with any details of bullet failures you've experienced on game in the past so I can include your story in an upcoming episode on bullet failures.

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

Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

I discuss all of the 7mm CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy 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: 7x57, 7x64mm Brenneke, 280 Remington, 280 Ackley Improved, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7x61 Sharpe & Hart, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW, 7mm STE, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08 Remington, 284 Winchester, 7mm WSM, 7 SAUM, 7mm RUM, 28 Nosler, 7mm PRC

Learn more about the rounds I discuss in this episode in Ron Spomer's excellent book 7mm Cartridges From Around The World

Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast

Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast

7mm Mauser: A Classic Hunting Masterpiece - Article referenced in podcast

7mm PRC: Complete Guide To Hornady's New Cartridge - Article referenced in podcast

7-30 Waters: What You Need To Know - Article referenced in podcast

7mm Rem Mag vs 300 Win Mag - Article referenced in podcast

243 vs 7mm-08 vs 308 - Article referenced in podcast

6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm-08 - Article referenced in podcast

270 vs 280 vs 280 AI vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

30-06 vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

270 vs 7mm-08 - Article referenced in podcast

270 vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

6.8 Western vs 28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast

6.8 Western vs 7mm PRC - Article referenced in podcast

7mm PRC vs 28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast