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

If you could only choose 5 guns to hunt with for the rest of your life, what would they be? Join me as I answer that very question as I lay out practical recommendations for a well-rounded five-gun battery that covers everything from small game, birds, and varmints to medium and dangerous big game. What's your ideal five-gun battery? Drop a comment on YouTube/Spotify or email John at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe on Patreon for first priority when I answer questions from listeners along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter If you enjoy the Big Game Hunting Podcast, be sure to subscribe to both of my YouTube channels for an even better experience. The Big Game Hunting Podcast channel features the full video version of every episode—including this one—with helpful visual aids that make the content come alive. My Big Game Hunting Blog channel is packed with bonus videos like ballistic gel tests, hunt footage, and in-depth cartridge discussions. Hit subscribe on both and turn on notifications so you never miss new hunting content! Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources The Only 3 Cartridges You Actually Need for Hunting 5 Forgotten Classic Cartridges Making A Comeback In 2026

Bryce M. Towsley joins John McAdams for a comprehensive look at the Savage Model 99 rifle. From its origins with Arthur Savage and the early 1899/99 models to its innovative internal hammer, rotary magazine with cartridge counter, and ability to handle modern smokeless cartridges with pointed bullets, we cover what made this lever action truly different from the Winchesters and Marlins of its era. Bryce shares his personal experiences hunting with the 300 Savage, the evolution of cartridges available in the Model 99 (303 Savage, 22 Savage Hi-Power, 250 Savage, 300 Savage, 308 Winchester, 358 Winchester, 284 Winchester, and more), why the rifle was so popular in the northeast big woods, realisticaccuracy expectations, and the reasons Model 99 production eventually ended. This episode is a must-listen for lever-action fans, Savage collectors, and anyone who appreciates thoughtful firearm design and hunting history. 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. 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 Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Get copies of Bryce's books on Amazon here or on his web site here Ep 368: 300 H&H With Joseph von Benedikt – Episode referenced in interview Ep 404: 404 Jeffery With Phil Massaro – Episode referenced in interview Ep 425: 425 Westley Richards – Episode referenced in interview

Bill Wilson, founder of Wilson Combat, shares the story behind the 300 HAM'R — the AR-15 cartridge he designed to outperform the 300 Blackout and match the legendary 30-30 Winchester out of a 16″ barrel. In this wide-ranging conversation, Bill dives deep into why he moved away from high weight retention bullets, the devastating performance of Lehigh Controlled Chaos bullets, real-world results on 3,300+ feral hogs and African game (zebra, kudu, wildebeest, etc.), terminal performance testing, why faster twist rates matter more than most realize, and stories from multiple African safaris (including a wild 1979 hunt Rhodesia during the Bush War). Whether you're a hog hunter, AR enthusiast, handloader, or someone who wants to understand what makes a bullet truly effective, this episode delivers practical, no baloney insights from one of the most experienced voices in the firearms industry. 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. 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 Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Get a copy of Bill's book Guns, Shooting, & Hunting: What I've Learned In 60 Years here

In this episode, John sits down with the Leupold team to explore their exciting 2026 hunting optics lineup, headlined by the all-new BX-6 Range HD 10×42 rangefinding binoculars. This flagship optic delivers best-in-class glass, industry-leading Hornady 4DOF ballistics with real-time environmental sensors, precise GPS pinning to OnX and other mapping apps, and ranging out to 6,000 yards. The conversation also covers the updated VX-5HD Gen 2 riflescopes featuring tool-free SpeedSet dials, increased elevation travel, and competition-grade adjustments, plus the brand-new VX-4HD series that fills the gap with versatile 4:1 zoom ratios. 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 Ep 256: Tim Lesser From Leupold Optics Talks Leupold Binoculars and Rifle Scopes – Episode referenced in podcast Ep 313: Leupold's New Gamechanging Rangefinder – Episode referenced in podcast Get a BX-6 Range HD Here Get a Leupold VX-5HD Gen 2 scope here Get a Leupold VX-4HD scope here

We're talking about the best cartridges for hunting Africa in this episode: plains game, thick-skinned dangerous game, cats, etc. The cartridges I list in this episode are based off the results of surveys I've recently conducted of over 2,000 hunters from all over the world who have hunted Africa. In addition to breaking down those cartridges that are most popular for hunting Africa in general, I also drill down into the most popular ones used by Professional Hunters and in client rifles. I'll also provide a few recommendations for a "1 Gun" or a "2 Gun" safari based on what you're hunting. 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 john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com 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! 408 Best Bullets For Hunting Plains Game In Africa 407: New 35 Whelen & 9.3x62mm Rifles From Ruger 375: 9.3×62 vs 375 H&H 458 Winchester Magnum: It Hits Hard On Both Ends! | 458 Win Mag Hunting, Gel Test, & More

We're talking about the best bullets for hunting plains game in Africa in this episode. I've hunted a lot of plains game with a wide spectrum of bullets, so I'll talk about some of my noteworthy experiences with those different models and provide some recommendations for plains game hunting bullets based on those experiences. 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 john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com 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 john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you plan on attending! 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 North Fork's Semi-Spitzer and Percussion Point bullets are outstanding choices for hunting plains game in Africa. 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. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Ep 401: Best Cartridge For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann Ep 349: The Ugly Truth About Bullet Failures 2025 Army Veteran Hunting In South Africa Video Who Tee Who South Africa Hunting Videos 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast South Africa Safari Hunt Black Wildebeest Hunting In South Africa With A 375 Ruger

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 john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com 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

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 john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com 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