Red, White and Moose

With the Texas rifle season kicking off, Mike sits down for a solo episode to cover the critical last-minute rifle prep and field gear that can make or break your hunt. Before diving into the technical mechanics of the rifle, Mike shares a massive personal milestone—closing in on 100 pounds of weight loss—and gives an update on his hybrid training for the 2027 Austin Marathon, alongside the upcoming launch of weekly YouTube videos.

The core of this episode is dedicated to the science of a successful hunt. Mike breaks down exactly how cleaning your barrel with abrasives versus solvents impacts your velocity and point of impact, and how many fouling shots you actually need to restore your zero. He also dives into the nuances of external ballistics, explaining how a crosswind can cause aerodynamic jump and alter your vertical zero, and teaches you how to calculate wind holds on the fly using gun numbers and wind roses. Finally, Mike empties his pack to highlight the gear that always makes the cut, including Armageddon Gear bino harnesses, heavy-fill shooting bags for the blind, Fix It Sticks for field maintenance, and why he completely ditched replaceable-blade knives for premium American-made fixed blades.

Key Topics Covered:

• Life & Training Updates: Nearing the 100-pound weight loss mark and prepping for the Austin Marathon.

• Barrel Maintenance: The drastic differences between cleaning with abrasives vs. solvents, and why your first shot out of a clean barrel is hundreds of feet per second slower.

• Verifying Zeros: How crosswinds create aerodynamic jump on right-twist barrels, artificially shifting your zero up or down.

• Field Math: A masterclass in applying your "gun number" and using a wind rose to calculate precise crosswind holds on the clock.

• Essential Field Gear: Why every hunter needs a heavy shooting bag in the blind, the utility of the Armageddon Gear wax canvas bino harness, and the absolute necessity of a Fix It Sticks torque limiter kit.

• American-Made Fixed Blades: A breakdown of Mike's favorite field knives from Winkler Knives, Half Face Blades, Microtech, and Montana Knife Company—and the gruesome story of why he threw away his replaceable-blade knives.

In this episode of Red, White & Moose, Mike sits down with UK shooter Joe Pask (@precisionrifle_joe) right on the heels of a historic run. Joe recently became the first international competitor ever to stand on the Open division podium at the IPRF World Championship—finishing 2nd overall—before flying home and immediately winning both the PRS UK Finale and the PRS UK Series title.

Mike and Joe break down how Joe got his start culling deer on a Scottish estate before entering his first PRS match in 2020, and how the UK and European precision rifle scene has rapidly evolved to go toe-to-toe with the top shooters in the US.

They dive deep into the mental approach that unlocked Joe's breakout season, including his strict rule of having his UK teammates withhold leaderboard updates and wind calls so he could shoot completely blind at Worlds. Joe also shares the story of putting a brand-new barrel with only 120 rounds on it on his rifle days before a winner-take-all battle at the UK Finale, his "six-month shelf rule" for new gear, why he refuses to leave the 6.5 Creedmoor with 153gr A-Tips, and how running Phalanx Arms ammo took the equipment variable completely off his mind when it mattered most.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Joe’s background: Growing up on a UK farm, spending a year culling deer on a Scottish estate with a 1,000-yard range, and shooting his first PRS match in Wales in 2020.

• How PRS UK operates compared to the US circuit, and how international teams closed the gap on American shooters.

• The mental shift at the IPRF Worlds: Using the UK buddy system to block out scores and previous shooters' wind calls to shoot his own game.

• Dropping only 11 shots across two days at Worlds—how to flush a bad mistake on the clock and reset before the next position.

• Managing intrusive thoughts on the rest day between Day 1 and Day 2 when a World Championship podium is on the line.

• Joe’s full rifle and gear breakdown: Why he sticks to a 6.5 Creedmoor pushing 153gr Hornady A-Tips, Lone Peak Fuzion, MDT ACC Elite, Leupold Mark 5HD, Botnia brake, and his "six-month shelf rule" before changing a single piece of kit.

• Trusting your ammo under pressure: Firing a 10-shot string on the clock at Worlds with a 1.5 SD running Phalanx Arms ammunition.

• The emotional finish on Day 2 with his pregnant wife, his daughter, and the UK/European teams waiting behind the line.

• Flying home, spinning on a brand-new barrel with 120 rounds on it, and battling Josh Martin down to a single impact to win the PRS UK Finale and Series title.

• Pre-stage wind routines, carrying wind angles stage-to-stage in the matchbook, and why spotting squad trends through glass is critical.

• The biggest mistake mid-pack shooters make: How to read A-Tip silver dots, plate rock, and spall halos, plus why bumping scope magnification up to 22–25x changes the game.

• Cartridge trends in the UK vs. the US: 6mm GT with 120gr A-Tips, the rise of the .25 calibers, and why 6.5 Creedmoor is still hard to beat.

Follow Joe Pask:

• Instagram: @precisionrifle_joe

After a chaotic stretch of back-to-back Ultimate Hunting Experience events and Worlds, Mike is back on the mic with Taylor Crabtree (@possum_puncher) to recap the first leg of the Texas Two-Step PRSuit match at Freestone Shooting Complex. Coming off a 4th place finish in Open (6th overall) running a 6 PRC, Mike and Taylor pull back the curtain on what the new PRSuit series actually looks like on the ground—debunking the rumors that it’s just a punishing PRS match with tiny hidden targets.

They dive deep into the mechanics that set PRSuit apart: how match directors are using course-of-fire freedom to build multi-sighting position stages, why the new 3-point vital target system rewards both elite precision shooters and newcomers, and how the 5-part handicap system (weight, power factor, production status, and suppressor bonuses) actually played out on the final leaderboard. Plus, they tackle listener Q&A on transitioning from PRS to hunter matches, cartridge selection, RO communication strategy, and the preferred method for punching a possum.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Freestone Recap: Why execution, logistics, and shooter hospitality separate a truly exceptional match from an average weekend.

• Vital Target Scoring: How placing a 1.25–1.7 MOA vital plate five feet in front of a massive backer target reduces stage zeroes while letting top shooters separate themselves.

• The Handicap System Breakdown: The exact math behind the 13-lb weight baseline, the 370,000 power factor floor, and why a suppressed factory 6.5 Creedmoor might be the ultimate sleeper setup.

• Multi-Sighting Position Stages & Course Freedom: Walking through the "Predator then Prey" stage and how multiple sighting pins open up complex field geometry without being gimmicky.

• Listener Q&A: Transitioning from PRS to hunter matches on a budget, minimum power factors (and running 6mms and .223 gas guns), wind-calling shortcuts, and previewing Leg 2 of the Texas Two-Step at Gravestone.

In this episode of Red, White & Moose, we’re recording on-site at the latest Ultimate Hunting Experience event to sit down with one of our biggest supporters: Silencer Co. We dive into the nearly 20-year history of the company and their ongoing mission to normalize suppressors for everyday hunters and shooters. It’s about more than just metal and machines; it’s about the passionate people behind the brand, the family-driven culture, and their fight to make suppressors more accessible to everyone.

We also get into the weeds on purpose-driven gear. If you are trying to figure out how to set up your next rifle, we break down the decision-making process between options like the legendary Omega 300, the lightweight titanium Scythe (perfect for your mountain rig), and the incredibly quiet and versatile STM. Whether you’re running a lightweight setup or heavy steel, this episode will help you understand what goes into building a top-tier suppressor and why Silencer Co’s lifetime warranty is the gold standard in the industry.

In this episode of the Red, White & Moose podcast, we’re out on the range at the Ultimate Hunting Experience catching up with Branch from Korbin’s Archery. We break down what makes UHE events the perfect, low-pressure environment to test your gear, whether you're prepping for a backcountry elk hunt or just want to cross-train by picking up a new discipline.

Branch dives deep into the technical side of purpose-built archery setups. We cover the most common form mistakes (and how to fix your grip and peep height), the philosophy behind pin gaps and sight tapes, stabilizer weight ratios, and building the perfect 4mm arrow setup for maximum penetration. Plus, we talk about why getting comfortable at extended ranges builds unbreakable confidence for those close-range hunting scenarios. Finally, we get the details on Korbin's Archery's massive new DFW location in Burleson and their upcoming grand opening, along with a sneak peek at the next UHE events in Idaho and Texas.

This week on the Red, White, and Moose podcast, we are fueled by caffeine and diving headfirst into the peak of the precision rifle season. With standard PRS in full swing and the PRSuit hunter-style matches officially kicking off, a lot of shooters are trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between the two formats.

We break down the massive mindset shift required to bounce between the highly rehearsed, "Formula 1" choreography of PRS and the on-the-fly, blind-stage chaos of PRSuit. We also dig into the realities of gear crossover—what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid the trap of building a "do-it-all" rifle that leaves you at a disadvantage in both disciplines.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Mindset Shift: The difference between executing a heavily prepped 90-second stage versus finding, ranging, and engaging blind targets on a 4-minute clock.

• The Gear Trap: Why a 16-pound "crossover" rifle is an uphill battle, and how to use switch-lug systems (like West Texas Ordinance) and interchangeable chassis weights to stretch your budget.

• Support Gear Realities: Why your heavy 12-pound barricade bag needs to stay out of the backcountry, and how tripod usage changes between disciplines.

• Optics & Glassing: The critical importance of range-finding binoculars with built-in ballistic solvers (like the Swarovski EL Range or Vortex Furion/Talons) for staying on the clock during hunter matches.

We’ve all been there—you buy that new piece of gear, drag it into the field, and instantly realize it’s holding you back. Whether you're carrying a 20-pound benchrest anchor up a mountain or fighting the violent recoil of an ultralight toothpick, bad gear choices cost you impacts and cost you animals.

This week, we are stripping down the modern precision rifle piece by piece to build the ultimate crossover system. From the raw action to the muzzle device, we break down exactly where to save weight, where to add it, and how every single component influences the rest of the rifle. If you want to stop fighting your gear and start hitting your targets, this is the blueprint.

In this episode, we cover:

• Actions: Titanium vs. Stainless, and why integral recoil lugs and rails are the standard.

• Barrels: Carbon fiber vs. steel contours, and why a shorter 16.5” to 20” barrel might be all you need.

• Stocks vs. Chassis: Managing recoil with Micarta, and finding your perfect balance point.

• Optics & Mounting: FFP vs. SFP, maximizing your field of view, and why cheap rings are ruining your zero.

• Muzzle Management: Suppressors vs. aggressive directional brakes for spotting your own trace.

• Cartridge & Bullet Selection: Why fast, efficient cartridges and match bullets are dominating the field.

Brought to you by: Alpha Munitions, Lone Peak Arms, Kahles, Foundation Stocks, Hawkins Precision, West Texas Ordnance, Raven Rifles, and Botnia Solutions.

In this July episode of Red, White, & Moose, Mike dives into the critical prep work you should be doing right now to guarantee success when rifle season hits. Moving past the outdated "shoot once a year from a bench" mentality, Mike breaks down how simulated hunting events like the Ultimate Hunting Experience (UHE) and the new PRS PRSuit offer the absolute best proving grounds to test your system before it counts.

Mike also tackles current industry gear trends, pushing back against the ultra-lightweight magnum craze. Instead, he advocates for the sweet spot of 10-14 pound setups and fast cartridges (3,000+ fps) to maximize stability, recoil management, and energy transfer on target. Packed with insights for the ultimate gear junkie, this episode covers the evolution of rangefinding binos (Vortex Talons vs. Swarovski ELs), the tactical advantages of inverted tripods from Really Right Stuff, and how to run efficient "one-shot drills" right in your garage to get your pack-to-shot time under a minute. Finally, Mike touches on the physical side of the hunt, sharing his ongoing fitness journey, recent running milestones, and why being physically conditioned is just as vital as having your ballistics dialed in.

In this departure from standard gear and shooting talk, Mike opens up about a lifelong, deeply personal battle: his weight. Peaking at well over 300 pounds, the former lineman and powerlifter realized his relentless dedication to building his business had completely sidelined his physical health. Down 90 pounds, Mike gets vulnerable about the mental hurdles of long-term weight loss. He discusses the confusing reality of feeling strangely unaccomplished simply because the transformation took years of eating less and making slow, sustainable choices, rather than relying on a dramatic, agonizing 30-day sprint.

From cutting out alcohol and relearning how to run post-knee surgery, to the shock of knocking out his first continuous 3-mile run, Mike explores the shift from raw lifting strength to functional endurance. He also reveals the sadistic 10-mile, 100-pound ruck challenge waiting for him at the 100-pound weight-loss milestone, thanks to Ryan Garner. This episode is a call to action to find your "why," embrace doing hard things, and trust the long, slow process of changing your life.

Welcome back to another episode of Red, White, and Moose! This week, we kick things off with a major update for the Ultimate Hunting Experience—the rest of the year's schedule is officially live! We highlight the upcoming events in Rose (OK), Preston (ID), and Brownfield (TX). Spots are limited, so head over to theultimatehuntingexperience.com to lock in your expedition before they sell out.

Then, we are diving deep into the archery rabbit hole. With rifle hunters making the crossover to the bow world, it’s time to talk about taking total control of the tuning process. We are taking the same mindset used to excel in precision rifle matches and applying it to compound bows.

Listen in as we break down the current state of the Mathews ARC 34 setup and walk through the list of equipment and tools going into the new home bow shop. From the ATC Spike Press and Quick Bow Draw (QBD) to the BAP Pro Shop Vise, Mod Saw Pro, and the OMP fletching jig, we cover exactly what professional-grade gear was chosen and the "why" behind it all.

Plus, we discuss the deep science of arrow ballistics, upcoming broadhead testing (including Beast, Toulou, and Iron Will), and an upcoming Axis deer hunt where I need your help deciding: do I bring the bow or the rifle? Tune in and let me know!