Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!

• 396: 2025 Wyoming Elk Hunt Recap

  I just made it home from an outstanding elk hunt in Wyoming! Despite some unique struggles, I had an amazing trip and I successfully took a beautiful bull elk. Today's episode is a detailed recap of this hunt, evaluations of some gear I used, and some of the lessons we learned along the way. I also share two exciting announcements near the end. Sponsor: Get in touch with Rob at The R&K Hunting Company In Wyoming to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. I cannot recommend them highly enough: they have hardworking and friendly guides, comfortable lodging, great food, and fantastic hunting. Plus, they can also help you get a tag with little or no points for those species. Visit their web site or call Rob at (435) 979-1497 to learn more. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses his recent elk hunt in Wyoming. He shares the story of this exciting hunt, an analysis of the gear he used, and also has two special announcements at the end. His takeaway? John hunted with an outstanding outfitter in Wyoming that surpassed all expectations. Despite some initial struggles, John ended up making an excellent shot and tagging a great bull to wrap up an fantastic hunt. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources See photos showing the terminal performance of those 175gr Speer Imapct bullets on this elk in my latest Patreon post.  Follow me on Instagram (@thebiggamehunter_) to see photos of this elk Learn more about the Bergara Cima CF rifle here Get a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Scope Here Get an Ultimate Firearm Sling here Ep 114: 2020 New Mexico Elk Hunt Recap – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 327: Taking the 7mm PRC Out Past 1 Mile At The Bergara Academy– Episode referenced in podcast Ep 337: I just punched my moose tag! – Episode referenced in podcast

  --------  

  1:02:11

  --------

  1:02:11
• 395: 22 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison

  John McAdams shares insights on the 22 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on how different 6.5 Creedmoor and 22 Creedmoor factory loads have performed on game afield. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics and also obtain access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  North Fork's 120gr & 140gr Semi-Spitzer bullets are outstanding choices for the 6.5 Creedmoor that facilitate the best possible terminal performance for the cartridges on all manner of game at ranges inside 300 yards. You can purchase both bullets directly from the North Fork web site, from MidwayUSA, or from our network of other distributors all over the world. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 22 Creedmoor. John conducts a deep dive on both cartridges, shows how each cartridge was specifically designed to take advantage of modern bullets, and compares how both rounds perform in several ballistic gel tests. John's takeaway? Both cartridges overlap in their performance in certain areas, but the 22 Creedmoor is best used for predators and medium game while the 6.5 Creedmoor is ideal for medium and big game. As you'll learn, most hunters will be served well by either one though. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-The Complete Guide - Episode referenced about all the various 30 caliber cartridges (to include the 30 T/C) Ep 351: 22 Creedmoor With Derrick Ratliff- Episode referenced comparing the 22-250 to the 22 Creedmoor Ep 360: 22 Creedmoor vs 22-250 Remington- Episode referenced comparing the 22-250 to the 22 Creedmoor Ep 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow - Episode referenced where John Snow and I discuss Modern Cartridge Design principles 308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor - Episode referenced regarding how the 6.5 Creedmoor stacks up against the 308 Winchester

  --------  

  1:03:21

  --------

  1:03:21
• 394: 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, & Magnum Muzzleloaders From CVA With Brad Watts

  Brad Watts, the director of marketing for CVA, joins me on the show to talk about the diverse array of muzzleloaders and rifles CVA produces. Of note, CVA currently produces a number of rifles in more esoteric cartridges like 35 Whelen, 444 Marlin, and 400 Legend. Not only that, but they also produce other rifles and muzzleloaders that are in compliance with very specific hunting regulations in states like Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Oregon. And finally, they also produce plenty of more conventional rifles and muzzleloaders as well. We discuss this in more detail during this interview along with the specifics of their current production rifles and muzzleloader and what sets the company apart from competitors in the industry. Sponsor: Sign up here to receive a 10% off promo code for all products CVA sells directly from their web site (including their rifles, muzzleloaders, and accessories). Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all my bonus material (including a larger 15% off CVA discount code I provide to Patrons at the highest level of support) at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with CVA director of marketing Brad Watts to discuss CVA muzzleloaders and rifles in detail. They dive deep into the various hunting rifle and muzzleloader models the company makes, what sets them apart from the competition, and how they offer firearms for hunters in states with very specific regulations (like Idaho and Illinois). Their takeaway? CVA produces rifles and muzzleloaders that offer an exceptional value to their customers and are suitable for many different situations. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Check out the CVA web site & follow them on Facebook, Instagram, & YouTube

  --------  

  1:04:15

  --------

  1:04:15
• 393: Best Deer Hunting Ammo For 2025

  John McAdams shares three different recommendations for ammunition and bullets for deer hunters to use in 2025 informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each offerings. Plus, he also shares some details on how those different bullets have performed on game afield. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics and also obtain access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Get Nosler Whitetail Country Ammo Here Get Barnes Harvest Collection Ammo Here Get North Fork Semi-Spitzer bonded soft point bullets here Get North Fork Flat Point bonded soft point bullets here Get North Fork .348 cal bonded soft point bullets here In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses a few recommendations for ammunition and bullets for deer hunters. John conducts a deep dive on two new factory offerings from Barnes and Nosler that are optimized for good performance on deer sized game that are also available at a more economical price point. He also discusses why deer hunters should consider hunting with North Fork bullets. In each case, he discusses the pros and cons of each choice, compares how these different loads perform in ballistic gel tests, and shares some stories of how they perform on game afield. John's takeaway? Things are much better on the ammunition front in terms of availability and pricing than was the case just a few years ago. Hunters can now take advantage of discounted pricing on several different loads that offer ideal performance on deer sized game at typical ranges. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

  --------  

  43:04

  --------

  43:04
• 392: 6.5 PRC vs 270 Winchester Caliber Comparison

  The legendary 270 Winchester celebrates its 100th birthday this year in 2025. So, in honor of that impressive milestone, I conduct a deep dive comparing the venerable 270 Winchester to a much newer round with a more modern design that, as you'll learn here shortly, has shockingly similar performance: the 6.5 PRC. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday. Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics (I chose this specific episode in response to Patreon suggestions) and also obtain access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  North Fork's 130gr, 140gr, 150gr Semi-Spitzer bullets are outstanding choices for the 6.5 PRC and 270 Winchester respectively that facilitate the best possible terminal performance for both cartridges. Both projectiles are absolutely outstanding on all manner of game at ranges inside 300 yards. You can purchase both bullets directly from the North Fork web site, from MidwayUSA, or from our network of other distributors all over the world. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses the 6.5 PRC vs 270 Winchester. John conducts a deep dive on both cartridges, shows how modern bullets have dramatically improved the performance of the 270 Winchester at extended range, and compares how both rounds perform in several ballistic gel tests. John's takeaway? Both cartridges are capable of almost shockingly similar performance, but the 270 Winchester and 6.5 PRC are each ideally suited for specific niches and interests. As you'll learn, most hunters will be served well by either one though. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 116: 6.5 PRC vs 6.5 Creedmoor - Episode comparing the 6.5 PRC to 6.5 Creedmoor Ep 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-The Complete Guide - Episode referenced about all the other 25 caliber SAAMI standardized rounds. Ep 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow - Episode referenced where John Snow and I discuss Modern Cartridge Design principles 375 H&H Ballistic Gel Test - Episode referenced in episode

  --------  

  54:01

  --------

  54:01

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!