In this episode, Zach is back on the podcast and shares one of the most stressful (and funny) hunting trips we’ve had on the show. From a successful red deer hunt near Bathurst to losing his car keys in the paddock, breaking into his own vehicle, and relying on mates to save the trip, this one has it all.

We also cover fox and rabbit control, spotlighting vs thermals, first impressions of thermal optics, and what really matters in the field. There’s a deep dive into the Lythgow Arms factory tour, Remembrance Day shooting on-site, and a proper rundown of the FoxTastic weekend and why it exists.

If you like real hunting stories, honest gear talk, and the kind of chaos that only happens when you’re tired, under-caffeinated, and miles from home, this episode is for you.

In Episode 22 of the Bullet Points Podcast, the boys are finally back in the studio and comparing two very different adventures.

Maxwell takes us through his “not-a-hunting-moon” across New Zealand’s South Island—catching trout, exploring Milford Sound in the middle of insane rainfall, discovering natural hot springs, battling sandflies and smashing laps at Highlands Motorsport Park in a Radical race car.

Meanwhile, Rusty breaks down his week in China with HikMicro: touring the massive Hikvision campuses, seeing how outdoor thermals fit into the bigger picture, navigating hotpot culture, dealing with robot room-service deliveries, witnessing China’s rural countryside from a very slow high-speed train, and stumbling into a secretive counterfeit market straight out of a movie.

If you’re into travel stories, gear talk, food adventures, motorsport, or just hearing two mates unpack wildly different trips, this episode is a good time.

Mason from Red Earth Distribution joins the podcast to talk about growing up in a hunting family, the early days that shaped his love for the outdoors, and how that eventually led him into the shooting industry. He shares stories from those first chaotic trips, the unforgettable moment he took his very first sambar, and how a childhood spent around rifles and cousins slowly turned into a full-time career.From there, we dig into some incredible adventures, including chasing game across South Australia, tackling the heat in Africa, and the insane reality of Argentina’s high-volume bird hunts—where shooting a thousand birds in a day is just the warm-up. Along the way we get plenty of laughs, from snapping skateboards in half to freezing T-shirts in 50-degree heat, and the running joke that “confidence fixes everything.”We also dive into the business side: what Red Earth Distribution is building, why brands like GPO (German Precision Optics) are gaining traction in Australia, and how the industry is evolving behind the scenes.

Ben Jarratt from Wedgetail Industries joins the podcast to talk about the launch of Wedgetail's new Orion Hunter bolt-action rifle, the company’s biggest leap yet. He shares insight into the design process, the challenges of working in the firearms industry, and his journey from content creator on The Long Gun Project to developing real-world rifle systems. Plus, we dive into the evolution of long-range shooting education and how YouTube changed the game for modern shooters.

Fresh from the Wild Deer Expo, we sit down with Jo from Spika to talk hunting, fishing, and finding her path in the outdoors industry. From chasing pigs up north to learning the ropes of thermal optics, Jo shares how her passion became her profession and why balance, community, and a love of the land drives everything she does.

Listen now for stories from the field, insights into the growing role of women in hunting, and how technology like ThermTec thermals is transforming pest control across Australia.

Rusty and Max sit down for a relaxed chat that covers everything from whiskey and wedding prep to the finer details of precision reloading. Hear how they both got started, what gear upgrades made the biggest difference, and why reloading isn’t just about saving money!
They also talk about the Wild Deer Expo, talk about upcoming travels (Rusty to China, Max to New Zealand), and share plenty of laughs along the way.

In this episode, we sit down with Aaron, a seasoned hunter originally from New Zealand, who takes us on a journey from helicopter deer recovery in the 70s and 80s to the cutting edge of thermal optics today. He shares what it was like growing up on a deer farm surrounded by helicopters, the cultural differences between New Zealand’s hunting traditions and Australia’s shooting mentality, and how those experiences shaped his lifelong passion for the outdoors.We dive into his pursuit of tahr in the Southern Alps, unique hunting rituals in Austria, and even the changing landscape of feral deer across Queensland. Aaron also talks about the industry shift from early thermal scopes to the sophisticated software-driven optics hunters rely on today.Packed with personal stories, industry insights, and plenty of laughs. From sausage making and “organic beef” pranks to sharing a good rum after a hun, this episode blends history, technology, and culture into a wide-ranging conversation about what hunting really means.

In this episode, we sit down with New Zealand precision rifle shooter Tom Rutland-Sims as he joins us fresh off the Manado Meltdown match in Australia. Tom shares what makes Aussie matches uniquely challenging, how he’s refined his shooting through international competition, and why equipment choices—from 6 GTs to 25 GTs—make such a difference.We dive into travel stories, his firefighting career, the role of obsession in reaching the top of the sport, and even his passion for aviation and cooking the perfect steak. Packed with insights, technical discussion, and plenty of laughs, this conversation highlights what it takes to push your shooting to the next level.

In this episode we sit down with Lachlan Bruce who went from pulling apart scopes as an optics technician at NIOA to managing the Leupold brand across Australia. We cover everything from bizarre warranty cases (including a scope full of soy sauce and chicken!) to the evolution of precision rifle competitions, and from deep technical optics insights to wild motorsport experiences in New Zealand.We explore: • The craziest scopes sent in for repair • How precision rifle competitions have evolved over the years • Common optics myths • Balancing hunting, pistols, shotguns, and rifles as a shooter • What makes brands like Leupold and Anschutz stand out • Adventures in motorsport and travel, including a track day in Queenstown • Tips on gear setup, competition mindset, and avoiding costly mistakesIt’s a mix of technical knowledge, real-world stories, and laughs. Perfect for shooters, hunters, optics enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a good yarn.

In this episode, Harry joins us for a laugh-filled chat covering hunting stories, gear talk, and dog tales. With unexpected turns into reality TV, pub banter, and questionable fox-calling skills.