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

Lipsey's and Ruger have teamed up to release a couple of new Hawkeye and No. 1 rifles in 35 Whelen and 9.3×62. Those are outstanding rifles (especially in 9.3x62mm) for hunting the whole spectrum of game ranging from whitetail adeer and feral hogs up to cape buffalo and elephant in Africa. Jason Cloessner from Lipsey's joins me on the show today to discuss these new rifles in detail.
Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!
I'll be at the Safari Club International convention in Nashville 18-21 February with 2 of my African PHs (Johan and Kobus) and we'd love to meet you if you'll be attending the show. We're hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients 6-10pm on Friday, 20 February 2026 at the house we're staying at.                    Pizza and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be provided.
Address is: 1116 Spurgeon Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, 37207

Space is limited, so please RSVP at [email protected] if you plan on attending!       
Resources
Learn more about what's new from Lipsey's at their web site and their YouTube channel.

Kevin Robertson shares some insights on gemsbok hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on gemsbok biology, where they live, what they eat (and how that affects their behavior), how trophy quality varies from region to region, and some fascinating stories involving gemsbok hunting in Africa.
Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!
Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 
I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Kevin Robertson's books It Shouldn't Happen and The Perfect Shot II. You will not be disappointed with either book. Get copies of each one on Amazon here (affiliate link, commissions earned).
Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!
Resources
Below are links to Kevin Robertson's previous appearances on the show:
Ep 97: Africa Hunting Bullets 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 103: Africa Hunting Rifles 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 124: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 125: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 Part 2 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 154: Leopard Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 155: Lion Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 176: Elephant Conservation With Kevin Robertson
Ep 177: Elephant Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 178: Crocodile Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 179: Hippopotamus Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 205: Hunting Africa With A Lever Action Rifle With Kevin Robertson
Ep 206: Classic Africa Hunting Cartridges With Kevin Robertson
Ep 207: Hyena Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 250: Africa Hunting Trackers 101 With Kevin Robertson
Ep 252: How To Become A Professional Hunter With Kevin Robertson
Ep 300: .40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson
Ep 329: .50, .60, & .70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson
Ep 357: Kevin Robertson's Two Near Death Experiences From Sable
Ep 374: Kudu Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

We're talking about the 405 Winchester today, which is President Theodore Roosevelt's legendary medicine gun for lions. To this day, that statement remains one of the most effective presidential endorsements of any product ever. We will discuss more details of how that cartridge performed for Theodore Roosevelt in Africa, plus I'll also cover the history and performance specs of the cartridge, it's strengths and limitations, some other hunting stories involving it, and some recommendations on the best use cases for the round. 
Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!
North Fork produces several projectiles that are outstanding choices for the 405 Winchester that take the performance of the cartridge to the next level. You can purchase North Fork bullets in the .411 and .413 bore diameters (as well as many others: .308, .338, .375 caliber, etc.) directly from the North Fork web site, from MidwayUSA, or from our network of other distributors all over the world.
Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Phil Massaro shares some insights on the 404 Jeffery in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the cartridge, its performance specifications, and some fascinating stories about his hunts equipped with the 404 on game like black bear, water buffalo, cape buffalo, and elephant.
Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 
Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at [email protected] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!
Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!
Resources
Follow Phil on Instagram @philmassaro
Ep 74: Big Bore Rifles & Hunting Dangerous Game With Phil Massaro
Ep 85: Phil Massaro On Hunting Plains Game In Africa
Ep 157: Africa Hunting Expectations With Phil Massaro
Ep 180: Double Rifles With Phil Massaro
Ep 331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe 
Ep 367: Auodad Hunting With Phil Massaro

I got the chance to sit down with Andrew Marlin from The Dove Guy podcast in this episode and he shares the story of his successful, muzzleloader self-guided elk hunt in Arizona this year.
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.
Get in touch with Grant McCune of Zona Guides to book an elk, antelope, deer, or bear hunt in Arizona. [email protected] (928) 713-3412
Get in touch with Rob Massa at The R&K Hunting Company In Wyoming to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. 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.
Resources
Follow Andrew on Instagram and check out The Dove Guy Podcast on Apple and Spotify