The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Small Caliber Cartridges for Big Game: How Small Is Too Small?

   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.

   September 03, 2026·14min
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   Number 2: Episode 38 - The Flattest-Shooting Hunting Cartridges: Old Legends, Modern Speed

   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.

   August 14, 2026·1h 11min
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   Number 3: Episode 39 - What’s in Our Packs for Western Big Game: 3 Hunters, 3 Systems

   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.

   August 28, 2026·1h 35min
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   Number 4: The Ultimate Top 5 Elk Hunting Cartridges Debate

   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.

   September 18, 2026·1h 3min
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   Number 5: Ballistic Coefficient Explained: What BC Really Means for Hunters - #BallisticsBriefs

   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.

   August 21, 2026·19min
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