This episide we sit down with custom gunsmith Justin Linenbach, of Kinport Peak Rifles. Justin outlines what he consideres the three most important elements to achieving accuracy: Barrel quality Chamber quality Action bedding We take a deep dive into each of those characteristics, and then discuss the cartridges that Justin recommends for three categories of shooters and hunters:  Factory ammo only Handloaders Obsessive handloaders and wildcatters Plus, Justin shares some of this go-to...

Is there a cartridge that will reliably knock a deer or elk or bear over? Not unless it's named Ford, Chevy, or Dodge. Or maybe Freight Train. This episode takes a candid look at the idea of "knock-down power," mythbusting the notion and detailing how to determine a cartridge with real authority.  We define and explore kinetic energy, the TKO formula, momentum, and of course compare the numbers generated by popular cartridges such as the .30-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .375 Magnum.  Next we...

How good is the .30-06 for use on elk? This episode takes a deep dive into the grand old cartridge's ballistics, characteristics, and real-world performance on elk. We tell stories of a bunch of bulls killed with various .30-06s, and talk through several excellent .30-06 rifle models that we wholeheartedly recommend, as well as list three top factory ammo types ideal for elk. ENJOY!    FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!  Join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all...

This episode we take a deep dive into how to properly set up a kid rifle. We address appropriate cartridges, good rifles, and capable scopes, then discuss how to put the setup together so it really works. Some specific points we cover:  Reliability Kid-friendly ergonomics Accuracy Quality trigger Crucial scope features Packable weight Necessary accessories Bare muzzles, muzzle brakes, & suppressors Fundamental skills The importance of setting your youth or beginning hunter friend up...

This fun episode we dig in and answer a buck of listener's questions... Topics are elk cartridges, bear defense guns, .280 Ackley rifles, best first Western hunts, .270 Win. for moose, best predator rifles, copper bullets for deer, best .308 hunting load, and tons 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...

You've just shot an elk. Now what?  This episode covers it all, from blood tracking and locating your elk, to navigating cross-canyon recoveries, to taking good photographs, to meat processing, care, and packing. What a terrific conversation, recorded with extremely savvy, experienced elk hunters! 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...

Folks, I've been waiting for months to talk about this awesome new 7mm PRC load that Barnes just announced. Featuring a 160-grain LRX with new cutting-edge tip and profile technology, it shoots sub-half-MOA five-shot groups using my 7.25-lb (complete setup) mountain rifle.  This bullet has a best-in-class BC among monometal bullets, rating 0.608 (doplar radar verified). Generating 3,050 fps in 24-inch barrels, it's a precision sledgehammer ideal for any North American big game short of the...

What's the best, most practical deer-hunting cartridge of them all? We're joined by our friend Ron Spomer—who is consistently the show's most popular guest—to try our hand at picking one cartridge to rule them all.  Because it's fun, we also take a deep dive into our personal favorite deer-hunting cartridges—practicality thrown out the window—and share just why those particular rounds are so special.  This was tremendous fun, folks. ENJOY!    FRIENDS! We're at a crucial time in the growth...

This episode covers the ABC's of flying with guns. From what type of case is best, to how to pack your firearms and ammo, to how to check in with your airline, we detail the process.  We cover domestic flights compared to international travel, discuss the legality of flying with a suppressor, suggest research and prep documentation, and so forth.  Flying with a firearm is quite a simple process, but can seem daunting to first-timers. It doesn't need to be, though! This guide should provide...

Ever wonder which of the new PRC cartridges to pick for your new hunting rifle? The 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, and .300 PRC each have their strengths... and few weaknesses. So how do you know which will fit your needs best?  Hornady engineer and cartridge savant Seth Swerczek guest stars on this episode, and we talk through the various characteristics of each cartridge. Of course we regularly get sidetracked and tell hunting stories to support our points. This deep dive into what each Precision Rifle...

Remember that old saying, "One Shot, One Kill?" How about eight shots, eight kills! This episode we're joined by Shaundi Campbell, senior marketing manager at Browning, who recently took her bucket-list animal in Africa (and seven others) with a single shot each using her favorite 6.8 Western.  Shaundi tells a little of the 6.8 Western's back story, shares her significant hunting successes using it on western deer and elk, and tells her African safari stories in this episode. Naturally, we...

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...

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...

Few men know whether they'll have the courage to stand their ground and fight an irate Kodiak brown bear—or whether their defense gun will be adequate. Backcountry hunter Tyce Erickson knows the answer to both, having recently proven himself when a wounded bear his group 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...

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:...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 young but savvy hunter with a world of experience. ENJOY!    Sign up for the 3-day Elk Hunting Boot Camp, co-hosted by Joseph von Benedikt on-site in...

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...