What's the BEST elk cartridge? Or should we ask, what's your FAVORITE elk cartridge? This fun episode with Ron Spomer and Tate Bradfield takes a humorous and deep dive into most practical elk cartridges and favorite elk cartridges—and how they're rarely the same! Plus, we talk one-shot drops on elk, marginal cartridges versus marginal shots, how to…

In one of the most exciting product announcements of the year, Springfield recently brought out a long-action version of it's superb Model 2020 Waypoint precision hunting rifle. Previously only available in short-action cartridges, it's now available in 7mm PRC, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, .300 PRC, .270 Win, and .30-06! What a star-studded lineup o…

Cape Kudu are slightly smaller, more colorful, and "better dressed" than their Southern Greater cousins—and are enchanting and addictive to hunt. This episode, we sit down by a midnight acacia-wood fire in the Eastern Cape area of South Africa with PH Ed Everton of Rosedale Safaris, to share hunting stories and discuss the incredible Cape Kudu. We …

Is your rifle fully set up and ready for hunting season? That's a question all too many hunters don't ask until it's nearly go-time. This episide addresses rifle choice and scope selection, how to mount your scope for best performance, crucial accessories like an anti-cant scope level, rifle sling, and bipod, and how to set the complete system up p…

What causes some cold-bore shots to go astray? And can a good rifleman eliminate them? This episode discusses bore condition, barrel quality, clean-bore shots, and the human element, debunking myths and providing practical solutions to overcome unexplained first-shot misses. ENJOY! FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and nee…

Folks, I've fielded a lot of questions about this rifle—so here's a 15-minute bonus rifle review for you. This is the build project I did last year to create my ultimate .280 Ackley Improved custom mountain rifle. It was built by my old friend Steve Pratt of Elk Meadow Performance, using the following components: Defiance Anti-X action Proof Resear…

Recorded raw in the field off coastal Alaska, this episode takes place hunting from the Venturess, a fishing/hunting boat operated by Alaska Premier Sportfishing. Even though we experienced constant rain, wind, and cold, our group of 7 hunters managed to take 4 great bears, plus our limit of halibut, rockfish, king salmon, and several yelloweye. My…

How do you pick the right hunting mentor? And how do you distil what gear you really down to a practical setup? This episode is all about being a practical hunter with solid (but not expensive) gear, and about learning from real-deal hunters rather than popular, trendy influencers. Guest is Tate Bradfield, owner of Process Based Hunter. He's a youn…

RIFLE REVIEW! For the first time ever, Weatherby's excellent new Model 307 action is available with a carbon-fiber stock and a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel. It's called the Alpine CT, and is a wonderful lightweight hunting rifle. I took one chambered in 7mm PRC to New Zealand this spring, and was real impressed. It's reliable, accurate, ergonomic, a…

How good are modern monometal hunting bullets? All-copper and copper-alloy designs have undergone a lot of evolution in the past couple decades, and are becoming more and more popular. This episode takes a deep dive into the primary performance characteristics of the type, focusing on: Killing effectiveness Accuracy potential Different expansion me…

Are the .308 and .30-06 similar in performance? Or are they actually quite different? This episode takes a deep dive into the performance and characteristics of each cartridge, in an effort to determine which is the better hunting cartridge. ENJOY! FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to ta…

Browning's new X-Bolt 2 Speed SR may be the best hunting rifle on the market in it's price bracket. This video takes a deep dive into just why that is. Showcased is a 6.8 Western version, along with the factory ammo it shoots best. ENJOY! FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need all the support we can get to take it to t…

This episode covers the gear we take for spring bear hunting on Alaska's rugged coastlines, and details exactly why each specific item is chosen. From game bags to rifles, we cover it all! We filmed as we discussed each item in the pile of gear, so if you want to put eyeballs on them, head on over to our new Backcountry Hunting Podcast YouTube chan…

Recorded LIVE with our loyal listeners on Patreon! This Q&A is full of great info... Rifle setup, cartridge selection, pre-hunt shooting practice, how to build a stable field position, best bullets for elk, NRL Hunter competitions as a training tool, thermal scopes and how to use them, and a whole bunch more! ENJOY! Join the next Live Q&A by becomi…

Here's the second half of our recent adventure in New Zealand... DIY on public land, in pursuit of chamois in the Southern Alps. Steep country, incessant rain, and low visiblity all were against us but hard hunting paid off and we each brought home a great chamois buck. Recorded on a small portable mic, hunkered in or beside a tent in alpine countr…

Leupold's new RX-5000 rangefinder ranges to FIVE THOUSAND yards (or even a tad more!) and has the ability to project waypoints to onX Maps! This interview with Leupold's Eric Overstreet details the features and characteristics of this awesome new optic. ENJOY! For those of you that would like to see the new rangefinder in hand, check out the video …

Kiwi Country! This episode we're in the field in New Zealand, hunting with Adam and Brenda Weatherby and their cameraman Koby Owens. Outfitter is Same Caley, who specializes in authentic, free-range hunts. Halfway through our hunt we paused to dry out, do laundry, and record a podcast about the two bull Tahr and Fallow deer we'd taken so far. Plus,…

Ever wonder how to put together a great hunt for aoudad, aka the "poor man's Desert Bighorn" aka Barbary Sheep? This episode has awesome intel, planning, and hunt strategy from seasoned guide Colton Heward and from onX Hunt top gun Dylan Dowson. We cover everything from logistics to rifles and cartridges to pre-hunt practicing—all generously suppor…

Here's the story of how Mark Wheeler survived a catestrophic bush plane crash in the Northwest, as well as the unique way he met and backed the most interesting man in the world--Rob Gearing--in building the Spartan brand. This was a terrific fireside conversation, recorded in the field. ENJOY! FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the …

Could the .280 Ackley Improved be the most versatile western hunting cartridge? Long-time .280 Ackley man Ron Spomer joins this episode to explore it's history and capability. This discussion is full of great stories and anecdotes and lots of information on what is certainly one of the greatist hunting cartridges available. Plus, of course, we shar…

Are our hunting rights and traditions in danger? If you consider England and Scotland as precursors of what could happen in America, then the answer is yes, potentially. In this episode, we talk about what is happening in various hunting communities around the world, and discuss what we can do to protect and preserve our hunting heritage—wherever w…

Ever wonder how to pick just the right bullet to hunt with? This episode's for you. We take a deep dive into bullet construction and sectional density, and detail the performance of four different fundamental bullet types: Bullets for deer-size game Bullets for elk- to moose-size game Bullets for dangerous game Bullets for pachyderms and for tracki…

Is the .375 H&H still the most versatile cartridge in the world? Or is the .375 Ruger now a better choice? On the premise of picking just one cartridge to hunt everything from whitetail deer to elephant, we've chosen the two most likely candidates and pitted them against each other in this cartridge shootout-type episode. We consider: Ballistic per…

Survival gear? Elk cartridges? Shooting techniques? Long-range ethics? This episode has it all, thanks to our great reader's questions and comments. Also, BIG NEWS! We're launching a YouTube channel. Our boy William (the ever-popular host of the Backcountry Apprentice segment) will be editing and publishing videos of our episodes. Please jump over …

These two new-fangled cartridges are arguably the best all-purpose hunting rounds introduced in the past 20 years. Which is best, 6.8 Western or 7 PRC? In this episode, we take a deep dive into the advantages of each cartridge, including: Best effectiveness on a broad spectrum of non-dangerous game Adaptability for different types of terrain and hu…

Ever struggle to get a sharp edge on your hunting knife? This 20-minute tuturial walks step-by-step through the process of making your blade razor sharp. Plus, we discuss best benchtop sharpening stones and field stones. ENJOY! To watch the video of this episode, please join us on www.patreon.com/backcountry , where you'll get access to all our bon…

Recorded at the recent Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, this episode digs into titanium as a suppressor material, as well as the cutting-edge new technology enabling manufacturers to make 3-D printed suppressors. Brandon Maddox of Silencer Central also gives us an inside look at the status of the E-Form system, and talks about…

What emergency and survival gear should you have at base camp? Whether your base is a truck at the trailhead, or a big horse camp deep in wilderness country, you should have crucial backup gear and food there. This episode was inspired by a listener, and contains a list of what we consider important, from extra ammo or arrows to medical supplies—al…

This episode looks at three of the best replaceable-blade, ultralight folding hunting knives on the market: Havalon, Outdoor Edge, and Browning. We believe every serious hunter should have a good traditional fixed-blade hunting knife and be good at sharpening it. However, there is a place for replaceable-blade knives. This discussion addresses what…

What sort of scope (or sights) will help you shoot most effectively when hunting big timber or brush country? This episode explores the characteristics of an optic that's ideal for fast, effective shooting inside 200 yards, and details several different scope, red dot, and iron sight models that work particularly well. ENJOY! FRIENDS: We're at a cr…

This episode showcases three terrific lever-action big game rifles. All are classic historic designs that were carried by frontiersmen; all are also still being produced! These three are big-bore versions suitable for hunting anything from deer to grizzlies. We'll follow up soon with an episode on top-notch .30-30 models ideal for deer and hog hunt…

What makes a capable rifle/cartridge/bullet setup for close-range hunting? This episode takes a deep dive into the best of the type, including lever-actions, pump-actions, bolt-actions, semiautos, and even single shots, along with ideal cartridges and top-performing bullet types. We address whether brush-busting bullets are actually a thing, and th…

After four decades of U.S. sniper history Leupold's legendary Mark 4 scope has been completely overhauled. The new Mark 4HD has state-of-the-art glass and cutting-edge features, and is undoubtedly the best crossover precision/tactical/hunting scope now on the market. Weight is reasonable, as is cost: $999 to $1,599. This episode takes a deep dive i…

This episode I sat down with Ron Spomer and Colton Heward and swapped stories and opinions on the flood of innovative new shooting and hunting products introduced at SHOT Show 2024. We talk about awesome new rifle designs, from Winchester's new $400 .22 rimfire lever gun to Beretta's startling new straight-pull bolt-action hunting rifle. New rifles…

Is there a predator-hunting cartridge that outperforms all others? There is, and it's called the 22 Creedmoor. It's designed for maximum performance with modern, high-BC .22-caliber centerfire bullets, and as a result is much more effective than classic favorites such as the .22-250. Skeptical? I admit I sure was. Research showed me that the 22 Cre…

This episode takes us to Old Mexico in pursuit of coues deer, the Gray Ghost of the Southwest. These tiny desert mountain-dwellering whitetails are incredibly challenging—and fun—to hunt. Guides and hunters with 40 years of experience talk us through how, where and when to hunt coues deer. We take a deep dive into rifles, cartridges, and bullets fo…

Custom scope dials are the fastest, simplest way to make precise shots inside 600 yards. Just range, dial, hold center and shoot. However, ordering a dial with the correct parameters and setting it up on your rifle can feel intimidating. It shouldn't be. The process is a detailed one, but isn't hard. This episode outlines several steps on how to ge…

Few great hunting films exist... But the great ones are really spectacular. This brief episode details three of the best ever made. ENJOY!By Joseph von Benedikt

In this episode we pit the legendary .300 Win. Mag. against the trendy 7mm PRC. One is the magnum by which all others are measured; the other is the fastest-growing magnum in the industry. Which one is best? ENJOY! FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material on www.patreon…

When you need a new hunting rifle, should you first pick a cartridge, and then find a rifle you like that's chambered for it? Or should you first choose a rifle type and model, and then shop for one chambered for a cartridge that suits your needs? This brief bonus episode explores a couple of examples showcasing the advantages of each approach... E…

Shopping for a serious backpack for backcountry hunting? This rapid-fire 5-minute bonus episode details three top picks. These packs are versitile, capable, comfortable, and of premium quality. Compressed, they'll serve as a daypack ready to morph into a meat-hauling machine. Weight ratings are all north of 150 pounds, and capacity is plenty for ex…

Effective scouting, mapping, and navigating backcountry areas is crucial to hunting success. The onX Hunt app is an incredible tool and resource for doing so—so much so that it's become indespensible. This episode, onX's Dylan Dowson joins us to walk listeners through several of the newest, coolest features included with the onX app, and shares the…

Folks, I think we often miss the mark when we talk about guns for defense against trouble bears. It's crucial to keep in mind that although a handgun or a deer rifle is far better than nothing and is sometimes the only option, they're still a distant second-best to powerful big-bore guns. This 5-minute episode details three top choices for actually…

In the world of light, zippy cartridges that serve double duty on deer and varmints, what's best? Two of our most popular crossover cartridges are the classic .243 Winchester, and the cutting-edge6mm Creedmoor. This episode takes a deep dive into the pros and cons of each, pitting the two against each other in terminal performance, inherrent accura…

"Do you think the 6.8 Western is here to stay?" We field a lot of this type of question. Survival rate of modern cartridges is a valid concern, especially for hunters that don't handload. So we've featured three really new cutting-edge rifle cartridges that we're pretty sure are here for the long haul. My criteria was that each had to be from a dif…

Few things are worse than an equipment failure when you're about to take a shot at a buck, bull, ram, or boar of a lifetime. One of the least suspected but frequent culprits of shots going astray in the field are inconsistent riflestocks. This episode with accuracy nut Austin Brown digs deep on how to maximize the accuracy potential and consistency…

What handgun cartridge should you carry in bear country? That depends on the local species and your personal shooting ability. Spotlighted here are three of the most practical options available. This is the eighth of a new podcast element: fast-paced, fact-filled five-minute episodes showcasing three top backcountry hunting tools, tricks or techniq…

Want a quick-handling, hard-hitting lever-action hunting rifle? Here's an in-depth look at the three primary types, with notes on cartridges and configurations. Traditional lever actions: Winchester and Marlin models for vintage cartridges Cartridges: .44 Magnum, .30-30, .45-70, and so forth Characteristics: Classic, historic, best at close range A…