The Barnes Bullets Podcast

What are the best .30 caliber hunting cartridges ever made? In Part 1 of our .30 Cal Deep Dive, Dale and Gregg is joined by Alan from Customer Service to break down some of the most proven short-action and standard hunting cartridges, including the .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and other classic .30-cal options hunters have trusted for decades. We look at real-world hunting performance, velocity, recoil, bullet selection, effective range, rifle setup, and why some cartridges continue to dominate even as newer options hit the market. Is the .30-06 still one of the best all-around hunting cartridges ever designed? Does the .308 Winchester give up more than people think? And do hunters really need a magnum for most North American big game? We break it all down from a practical hunting standpoint. Part 2 takes things up another level as we move into short magnums and full-size magnum .30-cal cartridges.

Is the 7mm-08 quietly the best-performing short-action hunting cartridge available?The .308 Winchester gets the reputation. The 6.5 Creedmoor gets the hype. But sitting right between them is a cartridge that combines excellent velocity, efficient 7mm bullets, manageable recoil, and proven big-game performance—the 7mm-08 Remington.In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, Dale and Gregg make the case for why the 7mm-08 might deserve the crown as the Short Action King.The 7mm-08 has been around for decades, but with today’s bullets and modern rifles, has this cartridge actually gotten better with age?

The team from Q, LLC joins the podcast at our Mona, Utah facility for a deep dive into 8.6 Blackout. We break down the radical engineering behind 1:3 and 1:6 fast-twist rates, the rotational physics that turn subsonics into lethal energy, and the push to get 8.6 BLK SAAMI standardized. Plus, we explore why solid copper monolithic bullets are custom-built for high-RPM stability and officially unveil the new line of Barnes Factory 8.6 BLK Ammunition.

In this episode of the Barnes Bullets podcast, Dale sits down with Gregg and Mitchell for an unfiltered breakdown of their Top 5 Elk Hunting Cartridges. With decades of western hunting experience between them, the crew steps away from keyboard-warrior theories to discuss what actually works when heavy bone, thick muscle, and extended distances are on the line. Whether you lean toward classic, time-tested calibers or modern, fast-twist magnums, the guys break down the real-world terminal physics, bullet weight selection, and shot-placement realities required to bring down North America's toughest big game. In this episode, we cover: The Non-Negotiables: Minimum downrange energy thresholds, terminal expansion requirements, and sectional density for elk-sized game. The Top 5 Breakdown: The crew reveals their individual top cartridge selections and why they made the cut. Versatility vs. Magnum Punch: Balancing recoil management and shot placement against outright kinetic horsepower. Monolithic Performance: Why running solid copper projectiles (like the Barnes LRX and TTSX) changes the game for medium-and-large caliber elk setups. Distance & Velocity Realities: Knowing the true effective terminal range of your favorite load before heading into the backcountry. If you’re prepping for an upcoming western elk hunt or looking to fine-tune your rifle setup for this fall, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

How small is too small for big game? The trend is everywhere right now—hunters taking increasingly smaller cartridges after increasingly larger animals. .22 Creedmoor for moose. .22 ARC and other small-caliber cartridges for elk, bears, and big game. And depending on who you ask, the answer is either: “Shot placement is everything.” …or… “There’s no replacement for bullet weight, diameter, and horsepower.” In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, Dale and Gregg jump directly into one of the hottest debates in modern hunting: small cartridges vs. big game animals. Can a .22-caliber hunting bullet kill a moose? Absolutely. But that isn’t really the question. The better question is: How much margin for error are you willing to give up—and what happens when the shot isn’t absolutely perfect? Gregg breaks down the ballistics behind using smaller cartridges on large animals and if you are going to intentionally give up bullet diameter and projectile weight, bullet construction becomes more important than ever.

Are you packing too heavy, or leaving crucial gear behind? In this gear-focused episode of the Barnes Bullets Podcast, Dale is joined by Gregg & Mitchell, to dump their packs on the table to break down exactly what they carry into the woods for the upcoming hunting season.

Because no two western big game hunts are the same, we’re showcasing three completely distinct pack systems:

• The Backcountry Grind: Dale breaks down his 50lb+ pack built to sustain a hunter for 5-7 days off the grid—the exact system you need for deep-timber elk pursuits or demanding mountain terrain.
• The Luxury Camp: Mitchell brings a completely different perspective, explaining how utilizing pack goats completely changes your gear list, allowing you to carry heavier items and establish a comfortable luxury camp without breaking your back.
• The Mobile Day Hunter: Gregg strips things down to the absolute essentials, showcasing a lightweight day-pack system optimized for truck-based mountain hunts.

We discuss the philosophy behind our choices, the luxury items we refuse to leave behind, and how to tailor your own pack to fit your specific hunting style.

In this episode of Ballistics Briefs by Barnes, Dale puts Mitchell on the clock to break down one of the most misunderstood measurements in shooting and hunting. They explain how ballistic coefficient relates to aerodynamic drag, retained velocity, wind drift and bullet drop—and why chasing the highest BC number can lead shooters toward the wrong projectile for their rifle or hunting application.

A high-BC bullet may retain velocity and resist wind more efficiently, but ballistic coefficient is only one part of total bullet performance. Accuracy in your individual rifle, impact velocity, expansion, penetration, construction and intended use still matter when selecting a hunting bullet.

What really makes a hunting cartridge shoot flat—and does that advantage still matter in the age of rangefinders and ballistic apps?

Dale, Gregg, and Mitchell break down some of the fastest, flattest-shooting cartridges available, mixing legendary speed cartridges with newer options gaining momentum.

Beyond muzzle velocity, the guys discuss ballistic coefficient, wind drift, recoil, barrel life, bullet construction, and whether the performance hunters see on paper actually creates a meaningful advantage in the field.

It is a fun, in-depth conversation about speed, trajectory, and the cartridges that continue to earn their place in hunting rifles—whether they were introduced decades ago or are just beginning to gain steam.

Some of the best ammo options are the ones hunters overlook.

In this episode of Ballistics Briefs, Dale is joined by Gregg, as he breaks down his top sleeper picks from across the Barnes ammunition lineup—what makes each load stand out, where it shines, and why it deserves more attention.

Quick, practical insight to help you become a more informed shooter before hunting season arrives. Find the right load, confirm it in your rifle, and stock up now before the season rush begins.

The 6mm caliber family is in the middle of a massive resurgence—from classic deer rifles to match-winning competition rigs, the rules of the game have completely changed.

In this episode of the Barnes Bullets Podcast, we take a deep dive into the evolution of the 6mm / .243 caliber class. We trace the full timeline from the traditional legacy classics that defined generations of hunting—like the ubiquitous .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, and 243 WSSM—to the fast-twist disruptors dominating modern shooting sports, including the 6mm Creedmoor, 6ARC, 6GT, and 6 Dasher.

Whether you're holding onto your favorite wood-stocked rifle or running a custom chassis match gun, hit play for the ultimate 6mm masterclass!