This episode explains how knowing fundamental ballistics help us make clean, ethical kills in the field. Jayden Quinlan (ballistic mastermind at Hornady) shines the light on how to compensate for steep angles, for wind, and for bullet drop in various air density and temperatures. We talk hunting bullets and the evolution of projectiles and how to choose the right modern hunting bullet for your hunting tasks.  What a terrific, informative, entertaining discussion... Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did!    FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth of the show, and need a ..read more

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 master heavy recoil, and more. 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 the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patre ..read more

Few men know whether they'll have the courage to stand their ground and fight an attacking Kodiak brown bear—or whether their defense gun will be adequate. Passionate backcountry hunter Tyce Erickson knows the answer to both, having recently proven himself when a wounded bear he was tracking attacked at close quarters in thick alder brush.  In this episode, Tyce joins the podcast to tell his story. He gives a candid account of what went wrong, of the pressured last-minute decisions that led to the situation, and the solid decisions and actions that allowed him and his guide to both surviv ..read more

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 of long-action cartridges. Now, if I can just convince Springfield to add the .280 Ackley Improved...  This brief episode details the rifle: concept, components, ergonomics, accuracy probability and guarantee, and so forth. If you want to p ..read more

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 talk through Cape Kudu characteristics, hunting methods, habits and habitat, and proper tools (rifle, cartridge, & bullet) for hunting them. This is an awesome episode, recorded in the field and published raw and unedited. ENJOY!    FRI ..read more

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 properly. 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 the next level. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where ..read more

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 need all the support we can get. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and can contribute a few dollars. VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:&nb ..read more

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 Research 22" 1:8-twist Sendero profile carbon-fiber barrel Timney Elite Hunter trigger Hawkins Precision "Hunter" bottom metal Proof Mountain Hunter stock Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 scope It turned out wonderfully... Weighs right around 7.5 pounds read ..read more

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 daughter Sophie turned 12 on the boat, right after taking the biggest bear anyone in our family has ever shot! She dropped it with a perfect 251-yard shot after stalking up the Alaska coastline. Color me proud.  This is a long episode ful ..read more

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, and has all the features I like in a backcountry hunting rifle. And for what you get (custom-level action & trigger; high-end carbon-fiber stock; carbon-wrapped barrel) it just might be the best value on the market. ENJOY!  ..read more