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

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

Matty Nelson, the director of business management for Seekins Precision, joins me on the show to talk about his company their hunting rifles. Of note, Seekins Precision was one of the first companies to pick up both of the SAAMI standardized high pressure cartridges we have right now in the 277 Sig Fury and the new 7mm Backcountry. Not only that, but all the rifles they’re producing today are forwards compatible with that same technology and, with just a simple barrel change (which you’ll be able to purchase from Seekins Precision), can easily be adopted to shoot new cartridges like a hypothetical 6.5 or 30 backcountry cartridge we might see in the future. We discuss this in more detail during this interview along with the specifics of their current production rifles, what sets the company apart from competitors in the industry, etc. 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. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Seekins Precision director of business development Matty Nelson to discuss Seekins Precision rifles in detail. They dive deep into the various hunting rifle models the company makes, what sets them apart from the competition, how they are specifically designed for forwards compatibility with future high pressure rounds along the lines of the 7mm Backcountry, and discuss a few stories involving hunting with some of their products. Their takeaway? Seekins Precision produces rifles in the United States and offers customers a high quality rifle they can depend on when the chips are down. Plus, they are well suited for those who want to use cartridges on the absolute cutting edge. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Check out the Seekins Precision web site & follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Ep 353: Is Federal’s New 7mm Backcountry Round A Gamechanger? – Learn more about the 7mm Backcountry

John McAdams shares insights on the 25 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 25 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. North Fork’s 120gr and 140gr Semi-Spitzer bullets are outstanding choices for the 25 Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor 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 Creedmoor vs 25 Creedmoor. John conducts a deep dive on both cartridges, tackles complaints about poor terminal performance some have reported with the 6.5 Creedmoor on game, and compares how both rounds perform in several ballistic gel tests. John also shares a few hunting stories illustrating the terminal performance of various 25 Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor factory loads. John’s takeaway? The 25 Creedmoor offers some benefits over the 6..5 Creedmoor, but he’s not sure if it is a big enough improvement to really make a difference in the long run. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 203: 6.5 Creedmoor vs 6.8 Western vs 270 WSM – Episode referenced regarding my last 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge comparison Ep 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-The Complete Guide – Episode referenced about all the various 30 caliber cartridges (to include the 30 T/C) Ep 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-The Complete Guide – Episode referenced about all the other 25 caliber SAAMI standardized rounds. Ep 388: Richard Mann on the 25 Creedmoor – Episode referenced where Richard Mann discusses the origins of the 25 Creedmoor in detail 308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor – Episode referenced regarding how the 6.5 Creedmoor stacks up against the 308 Winchester

Caleb Giddings, the marketing general manager for Taurus holdings, joins me on the show to talk about Taurus and Rossi firearms. We discuss the history of Taurus and Rossi, the details on some of the hunting handguns and rifles they each offer, and a few hunting stories involving those guns afield hunting in Africa. 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. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Taurus holdings marketing general manager Caleb Giddings to discuss Taurus & Rossi firearms in detail. They dive deep into the various handgun and rifle models each company makes for hunters, the best use cases for each model, what makes their firearms unique, and discuss a few stories involving hunting with several of their products. Their takeaway? Taurus & Rossi offer a number of unique handguns, rifles, and shotguns for hunters. This is especially true for those who enjoy hunting with a handgun. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Check out the Taurus & Rossi web sites. Give Caleb a follow on Instagram: @Radicaleb Ep 321: Handgun Hunting With Ryan Hoover – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 387: Best Cartridge For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Larry Weishun – Episode referenced in podcast

Field & Stream shooting editor Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 25 Creedmoor. Richard discusses the origins of the 25 Creedmoor, some of his experiences shooting and hunting with it back when it was a wildcat cartridge, why he thinks it's the perfect "Triple Threat" cartridge for varmint hunting, big game hunting, and competition shooting, and what the cartridge offers compared to rest of the Creedmoor family as well as other 25 caliber cartridges. Sponsor: Make sure you’re signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebook. You’ll get my free E-BOOK when you do so and you’ll also receive the emails I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails.  Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Is Hornady's 25 Creedmoor The Best Creed Yet?-By Richard Mann 25 Creedmoor: A Huge Niche-By Richard Mann 25 Creedmoor Gel Test: Hornady 25 Creedmoor Ammo Test

Larry Weishuhn (aka Mr. Whitetail) is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you’ll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We’re play little game where Larry and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost everything in between like mule deer, elk, black bear, etc. The catch is we cannot reuse a cartridge for multiple species. Even so, our discussion provides an interesting glimpse into the thought process he and I each use for selecting cartridges and bullets for hunting different species of game. Sponsor: Make sure you’re signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebook. You’ll get my free E-BOOK when you do so and you’ll also receive the emails I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails.  In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with returning guest Larry Weishuhn. They discuss Larry's favorite cartridges and bullets for hunting the whole spectrum of big game ranging from whitetail deer up to and including thick-skinned dangerous game like Cape buffalo and elephant. As always, Larry and John share plenty of interesting stories involving various cartridges and animals along the way. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Learn more about Larry and what he's up to by visiting his web site: LarryWeishuhn.net Ep 372: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With WHO_TEE_WHO – Episode referenced in interview Ep 350: Whitetail Hunting Secrets With Larry Weishuhn – Episode referenced in interview Ep 336: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer – Episode referenced in interview Ep 315: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Joseph von Benedikt – Episode referenced in interview

Ron Spomer is back on the show to discuss his adventures hunting brown and grizzly bear on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia as well as in Alaska. Ron shares the stories of those hunts (a couple of which are pretty wild) along with a discussion on the rifles, cartridges, and bullets he used. Sponsor: Make sure you’re signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebook. You’ll get my free E-BOOK when you do so and you’ll also receive the emails I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you’ll love those emails.  In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with returning guest Ron Spomer. They discuss Ron's bear hunts in Russia and Alaska, to include his recent trip in the spring of 2025. As always, Ron shares plenty of stories regarding each hunt, to include some of the interesting experiences he had a long the way. Their takeaway? Those can be some wild hunts with lots of adventure and are not for the faint of heart. However, they can also deliver some experiences the hunter will remember for decades afterwards. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Pick up a copy of Ron’s 7mm Cartridges From Around The World book here Check Out Ron Spomer’s Podcast (on Apple or Spotify), Web Site, & YouTube Channel Ep 320: Master Alaska Guide Phil Shoemaker Talks Brown Bear Hunting – Phil Shoemaker interview referenced in podcast Ep 336: Best Cartridge For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer– Previous appearance by Ron on the podcast Ep 201: Bighorn Sheep Hunting With Ron Spomer – Previous appearance by Ron on the podcast Ep 145: Moose Hunting 101 With Ron Spomer – Previous appearance by Ron on the podcast

North Fork bullets have a stellar reputation for hunting in Africa and are considered by some to be among the best projectiles available for hunting the continent. To that end, North Fork Bullets’ technical support specialist and fellow investor Jay Parnell joins John on the podcast today to discusses the whole lineup of North Fork Bullets products, how they’re different from the competition, which specific tasks each bullet model is best suited for, and a few stories involving North Fork Bullets that illustrate how they perform when the chips are down. Sponsor: You can purchase North Fork 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 sits down with one of his new business partners, Jay Parnell of North Fork Bullets. They dive deep into the various North Fork bullet models, the best use cases for each model, what terminal performance is like with them, how they’re different from other bullets like the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, available calibers and bullets weights, where North Fork bullets are sold, and discuss a few stories involving hunting with North Fork bullets. Their takeaway? North Fork offers a wide range of outstanding bullets ideally suited for the situations most commonly encountered in Africa. Furthermore, there are some new products coming soon that improve upon the lower BC characteristics of North Fork’s legacy products that will make them even better suited to hunting situations elsewhere in the world. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

As promised, I have a more comprehensive recap of my 2025 African safari hunt with several podcast listeners for you today. I’ll talk about that hunt in more detail today and provide some reflections on the results of the hunt, what the Free State was like, and how my equipment (especially my new rifles in 25 Creedmoor and 7mm PRC) performed. Subscribe to my YouTube channel here to ensure you don't miss out on the podcast hunt video when I release it next week. Email me at  john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com and let me know what you'd potentially like to hunt if you're interested in joining me on a hunt in Africa or joining me on the deer/pronghorn hunt out west I teased in the future. 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 have space remaining for hunts in March, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you’re a podcast listener and I’ll give you a special bonus! In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams provides a detailed recap of the recent 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast African safari with three podcast listeners. John provides an overview of the entire hunt, shares some of the most memorable moments of this safari, some insights into how everyone's rifles and ammunition performed, and a few lessons they all learned along the way. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 382: Live from South Africa (2025) – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 261: Live from South Africa (2023) – Episode referenced in podcast

Though I’ve interviewed plenty of great Professional Hunters over the years, you don’t hear from many trackers in podcast interviews for various reasons. That changes in this episode where I sit down with Pheilemon Mathoko, one of our trackers in South Africa. He is one of the best, if not the best trackers I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. He and I discuss how to tell whether a track is old or now, how he can identify a particular bull out of a herd containing dozens of animals, how he can learn more about the wound an animal has suffered just from looking at their tracks, and much more. 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 are almost full for 2026, but still have space remaining for a couple hunts next year. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you’re a podcast listener and I’ll give you a special bonus! In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Pheilemon Mathoko, one of our trackers in South Africa. They discuss how to tell how old a track is, how he can identify a particular bull track out of a herd of dozens of other animals, how different animals behave at different times of day and how he can pick up clues to what they’re doing and thinking from their tracks, and of course, some of the finer points on tracking wounded animals and how he can learn more about the wounds an animal has suffered from looking at their tracks, how that information informs his decisions on how to proceed on the track, and much more.  Their takeaway? A skilled tracker like Philemon can read the bush or tracks on the ground like a book and is a vital part of any safari camp. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 377: Charging Cape Buffalo & Hunting Kudu In The Snow – Interview with Kobus Kok (one of my South African PHs) referenced in episode. Ep 356: PH Interview-French Foreign Legion to surrounded by crocs in a rowboat – Interview with Johan Seyffert (one of my South African PHs) referenced in episode.

Join me, the three podcast listeners I just hunted with in Africa, and our entire crew of PHs for an informal “campfire style” discussion of the highlights of our July 2025 safari in South Africa’s Free State & Limpopo Provinces! 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 have space remaining for hunts in March, April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you’re a podcast listener and I’ll give you a special bonus! In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with three podcast listeners, their PHs, our lead tracker Philemon, and our video guy Izaak to discuss some of the highlights of their recent hunt in South Africa. They discuss some of the most memorable moments of this hunt, a few lessons they all learned along the way, and their advice for other hunters dreaming of a hunt like this. Their takeaway? This hunt was the fulfillment of years of dreaming that exceeded expectations in every way and this safari turned into an experience they'll all treasure forever. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 261: Live from South Africa (2023) – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 294: First Africa Hunting Safari With Scott Spanton – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 381: A Cape Buffalo Hunt 30 Years In the Making – Episode referenced in podcast

Jimmy Epperson dreamed about hunting Cape buffalo for over 30 years before Big Game Hunting Adventures helped turn that wish into a reality for him in 2023. Jimmy also just returned from another hunt with us in early 2025 for some of the species he didn't get on his first trip. Like Scott Spanton, Jimmy has a unique perspective on what it’s like hunting very early in the hunting season vs very late in the hunting season. Plus, Jimmy has also hunted game from across the size and weight spectrum ranging from jackal and impala on the lighter end up to buffalo, eland, and giraffe on the heavier side of things and can share some personal experiences on how things are different hunting those gigantic animals. 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 have space remaining for a hunt in October 2025 and as well as March, April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you’re a podcast listener and I’ll give you a special bonus! In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Jimmy Epperson, who has hunted twice with Big Game Hunting Adventures for buffalo and many species of antelope. They discuss Jimmy's two hunts in South Africa during 2023 and 2025 and how the bush was different hunting early vs late in the season, how it felt to make his dream of hunting buffalo come true, and why he chose the cartridges and bullets he used on each hunt. Their takeaway? That buffalo hunt was the fulfillment of three decades worth of dreaming and it turned into an experience he'll treasure forever. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 294: First Africa Hunting Safari With Scott Spanton – Episode referenced in podcast

Army veteran Matt Tyree was the lucky veteran selected for the plains game safari I gave away as part of my 5 year Big Game Hunting Podcast Anniversary with my South African PH's Johan and Kobus. Matt literally just returned from the hunting safari of a lifetime and joins me on the show today to tell us how things went! 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 have space remaining for a hunt in October 2025 and as well as March, April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you’re a podcast listener and I’ll give you a special bonus! In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Matt Tyree, who we selected as the veteran to receive the plains game hunt in Africa we gave away during the 5 year Big Game Hunting Podcast anniversary celebration in 2025. They discuss Matt's military career (to include his deployments to Iraq & Afghanistan) as well has how he prepared for the hunt, the rifle set-up he brought to Africa, how the hunt went, and what it was like sharing the experience with his 11 year old son, Marshall. Their takeaway? This was the trip of a lifetime for both Matt and Marshall. They had an outstanding safari and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Matt also wanted to extend a special thanks to all of the generous listeners who provided donations above and beyond what John, Johan, and Kobus provided with the hunt itself. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Mike Arnold is back on the show to discuss his safari in Mozambique for spotted hyena and crocodile. Mike shares the story of that hunt (where, among other things, he took a monster crocodile) along with his new book: Bringing Back The Wild. 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 have space remaining for a Free State hunt in October 2025 and for Limpopo/Free State hunts in April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  Pick up a copy of both of Mike’s books at https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/mikearnold/ In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Bringing Back the Lions & Bringing Back The Wild author Mike Arnold. They discuss Mike’s recent safari in Mozambique where he successfully hunted crocodile and spotted hyena. Mike also shares a few details about his brand new book: Bringing Back The Wild. Their takeaway? That part of Mozambique is a fantastic area for crocodile hunting and hunting hyena at night with a thermal is an exciting way to pursue those wary creatures. Plus, Mike’s new book is a great read for those who want to learn more about how sustainable hunting can benefit both local communities and wildlife populations. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Get a signed copy of Mike’s books via his web site: MikeArnoldOutdoors.com Ep 213: Africa’s Most Dramatic Conservation Success Story – Mike’s previous interview referenced in podcast Ep 253: Hunting In Cameroon With Mike Arnold– Mike’s previous interview referenced in podcast Ep 330: Hunting In Nyala And Bushbuck With Mike Arnold– Mike’s previous interview referenced in podcast

Julius Fortuna of the Double Rifle Society discusses hunting Africa using a double rifle in this podcast interview, focusing on the pros and cons of double rifles for various situations, reasonable accuracy and effective range expectations, how to regulate a double rifle, popular cartridges for double rifles, the pros and cons of several modern production double rifles, and a few stories involving doubles (or hunters who WISHED they had a double). Watch this interview on YouTube here (buffalo charge at 30:50, elephant charge at 1:12:48, 2nd buffalo charge at 1:18:00) 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 have space remaining for a Free State hunt in October 2025 and for Limpopo/Free State hunts in April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with Julius Fortuna of the Double Rifle Society. They dive deep into double rifles and talk about things like double rifle regulation, common double rifle manufacturers and cartridges, situations where a double rifle excels over a bolt-action rifle, and discuss a few stories involving hunting with a double rifle. Their takeaway? Double rifles are cool and certainly can be incredibly useful in certain situations, but are not without their downsides. However, their fast handling and fast shooting characteristics mean they almost cannot be beat in life or death encounters with thick-skinned big game at extremely close range. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Learn more about the Double Rifle Society on their web site

I sat down with one of my South African Professional Hunters, Kobus Kok, at the Dallas Safari Club convention and recorded a short interview. Among other things, we discuss how he got started in this line of work along with some noteworthy experiences from his career, like two extremely close range encounters with buffalo and one kudu hunt in the snow. We also talk about misconceptions people have about hunting Africa, common mistakes visiting hunters make, and how to make the most out of a hunt in Africa. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt with Johan or Kobus 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 have space remaining for a Free State hunt in October 2025 and for Limpopo/Free State hunts in April, May, September, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  Ep 356: PH Interview-French Foreign Legion to surrounded by crocs in a rowboat – Interview with Johan Seyffert (Kobus’ partner) referenced in episode.

Interested in hunting Africa but don’t quite know where to start? This is an “Africa Hunting 101” episode aimed at answering many of the basic questions first time hunters have prior to booking a hunt in Africa like: where to go, what animals they should focus on, the pros and cons of hunting at various times of year, how to pick a good outfitter, etc. John also shares a few examples of what animals are good for that first time hunt, stories from previous hunts, and a few cautionary tales of how things went off the rails for those who did not follow these principles. 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 are full for 2025 and June, July and August 2026, but still have some openings remaining otherwise next year. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses the basics of hunting Africa and recounts some stories from previous hunts, provides recommendations on places and animals to target on that first trip over, and shares a few stories of how things went right (and wrong) on various hunts. John also discusses rifles, cartridge, and other gear recommendations that can help make that first trip to Africa a memorable one. The big takeaway? An African safari for plains game is a fun and cost effective way to experience a trip to the dark continent, but it’s also essential that you prioritize what’s important to you and choose an outfitter who will deliver the experience you want. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 254: The Logistics Of Hunting Africa Part 1 – Episode referenced in the podcast Ep 264: The Logistics Of Hunting Africa Part 2 (Taxidermy) – Episode referenced in the podcast Ep 252: How To Become A Professional Hunter With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in show Ep 373: Hunting Africa With Unusual Rounds: 45-70, 50-110 & More – John’s interview with his father about some previous Africa hunts

John McAdams shares insights on the 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm informed by real world data obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, pros and cons, and some hunting stories involving each cartridge. Plus, he also shares some details on what he thinks about the Ruger M77 Mk II (aka Ruger Safari Magnum) and Ruger Hawkeye rifles. 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 are full for 2025 and June, July and August 2026, but still have some openings remaining otherwise next year. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  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. In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses the 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm. John conducts a deep dive on both cartridges, compares how both rounds perform in ballistic gel tests, discusses their pros and cons, and shares a few hunting stories involving the 9.3x62mm and 375 H&H. John also discusses how Ruger’s old M77 Mk II in 375 H&H (aka the Ruger Safari Magnum) compares to their newer Hawkeye rifle. John’s takeaway? The 9.3x62mm and 375 H&H are both fantastic cartridges and there’s a tremendous amount of overlap in what they’re each ideally suited for. John personally prefers the 9.3x62mm, but recognizes and appreciates the strengths of the 375 H&H and why some people prefer that round instead. Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Ep 124: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 267: 9.3x62mm Mauser Profile – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 333: About That Buffalo Roy Weatherby Shot With A 257 Weatherby – Episode referenced in podcast

Kevin Robertson shares some insights on kudu hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on the kudu 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 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 are full for 2025 and June, July and August 2026, but still have some openings remaining otherwise next year. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  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). In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with African Professional Hunter, author, and veterinarian Kevin Robertson to talk about kudu hunting. John and Kevin discuss everything kudu in this episode: how big they get, where they live, why they’re different from other species of plains game, and how to hunt them. As always, we talk about cartridge and bullet selection as well as terminal ballistics. . Kevin’s takeaway? Kudu are a magnificent animal that deserve their status as one of Africa's premier species of game to hunt. Not only are they an elusive animal that's challenging to hunt, but they look fantastic on the wall serving as a memento for decades after the hunt is complete! 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

My father, Kevin McAdams joins me in this episode to discuss three African safaris where he used classic and indeed unusual rifles and cartridges like 22 Hornet, 33 WCF, 577/450 Martini Henry, 45-70, and 50-110 Winchester. We’ll discuss how those cartridges performed over there along with several fascinating stories from those hunts involving animals like aardwolf, cheetah, honey badger, mongoose, and owl that go well beyond some of the animals typically featured in Africa hunting stories. 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 are full for 2025 and June, July and August 2026, but still have some openings remaining otherwise next year. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.