The Winchester Life Podcast

Join Winchester Marketing Director Jason Gilbertson and Product Manager Jimmy Wilson as they break down the engineering behind two of the most advanced turkey loads ever developed — Long Beard XR and Long Beard Tungsten.In this technical deep dive, Jimmy and Jason explain how Shot-Lok® technology in Long Beard XR protects the lead shot during launch, delivering dramatically tighter patterns with twice the pellets in a 10-inch circle out to 60 yards compared to traditional loads. They also explore the cutting-edge advantages of Long Beard Tungsten, featuring ultra-dense 17 g/cc Tungsten shot that provides exceptional energy transfer, superior penetration, and incredible pattern density — often 6-8X more pellets on target at extended ranges.From payload construction and velocity to real-world pattern performance and choke compatibility, this episode gives hunters an inside look at the science, innovation, and testing that make these loads lethal in the turkey woods. Whether you're a longtime Long Beard XR fan or considering the jump to tungsten, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what sets each load apart and how to choose the right one for your hunt.Tune in for an expert conversation packed with actionable insights on engineering the perfect pattern.

From the wide-open fields of South Dakota to the bright lights of national television, Benny Spies has carved a path unlike any other in the outdoor world. For over a decade, he chased the dream of telling hunting stories his way — raw, real, and relatable.With his beat-up ’73 Winnebago, “The Toaster,” and a relentless passion for the outdoors, Benny became the voice for the EveryOutdoorsMan — proving that hunting isn’t just about trophies, it’s about laughter, mistakes, memories, and family traditions.Today, he joins us to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes at NBC and VH1, to hosting Gun It with Benny Spies, to his proud partnership with Winchester. This is a conversation about persistence, passion, and the power of keeping it real. This...is Winchester Life.

In the world of competitive trapshooting, few names carry the weight of the name Bartholow. From the dusty ranges of South Dakota to the championship podiums across the country, Foster’s journey has been one of discipline, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.Alongside his brother Matt, the Bartholow name has become synonymous with excellence…a family legacy built on countless targets, long days on the range, and a shared passion for the sport.But Foster’s story doesn’t end when the clays stop flying. An avid hunter, he’s chased wild game across the prairies and mountains…proving his skill and marksmanship translate from the trap fields to decoy spreads. At the heart of it all is a partnership that fuels his success…Winchester Ammunition. Trusted for its precision, performance, and history, Winchester has been there for every milestone in Foster’s career, from breaking records to bringing home game.Today, we sit down with a man who embodies the competitive spirit, the bond of brotherhood, and the deep tradition of America’s shooting sports — Foster Bartholow.

She once danced beneath the stage lights…Graceful. Precise. Determined.A ballerina’s discipline shaped her early years — but Dania Vizzi found her true rhythm not on stage… but on the range. From pirouettes to podiums, her journey is anything but ordinary. In 2024, she stood on the world’s biggest stage — representing Team USA at the Paris Olympics, with a shotgun in hand and a nation behind her. And through it all, her love for shooting sports has remained unshakable — driven by passion, sharpened by purpose, and backed by the legendary Winchester name.Today we’ll sit down with Dania Vizzi — and talk about grit, grace, and the power of chasing greatness… one shot at a time.

One of the most renowned shooters in the world of sporting clays, Anthony Matarese Jr. is a living legend. Anthony was the first American to hold the honor of winning the World Sporting Clays Championship, and in 2020 became the first person to win all four major Sporting Clays titles during his shooting career. As a highly respected and sought after shooting instructor, Anthony regularly has students fly in from all parts of the country to New Jersey for lessons, where he owns and operates M&M Hunting and Sporting Clays, one of the only full-service clay shooting and hunting operations in the US. In this episode, Anthony will talk about his ideal shotgun and ammunition set-up for competition and will also discuss his training regiment. He’ll also dive into the competitive mindset that has helped him become the most successful American sporting clay shooters of all time.

On today’s episode, we have a truly legendary guest—six-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated shooters in history, Kim Rhode. From breaking records on the world’s biggest stage, to inspiring the next generation of competitive shooters, Kim’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. We’ll dive into her Olympic experiences, her passion for the shooting sports, and how she continues to push the limits of excellence with every pull of the trigger.Plus, we’ll talk about her connection with Winchester Ammunition—what goes into selecting the perfect load for elite competition and how the right gear makes all the difference. So, grab your hearing protection and get ready for an exciting conversation with one of the greatest shooters of all time!

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Col. Nick Nichols, President of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled service members. Col. Nichols shares his life in a military family growing up, to his journey from military service to leading this impactful mission, offering insights into the power of education to transform lives and honor sacrifice.From the history and growth of Folds of Honor to exploring compelling stories of the families they’ve helped, we’ll discuss the importance of giving back to those who’ve given so much for our country. It’s a testament to the resilience of military families and the extraordinary ways communities can come together to support them.Service, legacy, family and the impact of Folds of Honor’s work…whether you’re a veteran, a military family member, or someone looking to make a difference, it’s a conversation that makes an impact at many levels.

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has been dedicated to the research and conservation of the wild turkey. Now with over 500,000 members and 2,000 chapters nationwide, the NWTF has brought the wild turkey back from the brink of extinction, to present day population numbers over 6.5 million. Each year in February, thousands of turkey hunting enthusiasts find their way to Nashville to celebrate their turkey hunting heritage at the NWTF National Convention at the Opryland Hotel and Resort. Over 80,000 attendees from Thursday to Saturday stalked the aisles for the latest and greatest from call manufacturers, clothing brands, firearm and ammunition companies, taxidermy and wildlife artists…the list goes on. In Part Two of this special two-part live episode we sit down with NWTF editor Matt Stewart as he shares the behind the scenes preparation of running the Grand National Turkey Calling Championships. We’ll then sit down with outdoor legend Mark Drury and chat about his early days of turkey calling competitions and what it takes to win at the highest level. Waterfowl expert Shawn Stahl of Team Winchester shares some stories from his waterfowl season and how Winchester’s Last Call ammunition has changes the game for him. We’ll chat with Greg Sugg of Mossy Oak about the latest and greatest from their team and their partnerships with NWTF and Winchester. Finally, Jason Gilbertson of Winchester drops by to discuss the importance of their partnership with NWTF and talks about one of the best events of the week, the Veteran’s Breakfast.

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has been dedicated to the research and conservation of the wild turkey. Now with over 500,000 members and 2,000 chapters nationwide, the NWTF has brought the wild turkey back from the brink of extinction, to present day population numbers over 6.5 million. Each year in February, thousands of turkey hunting enthusiasts find their way to Nashville to celebrate their turkey hunting heritage at the NWTF National Convention at the Opryland Hotel and Resort. Over 80,000 attendees from Thursday to Saturday stalked the aisles for the latest and greatest from call manufacturers, clothing brands, firearm and ammunition companies, taxidermy and wildlife artists…the list goes on. In Part One of this special two-part live episode we sit down with Winchester Ammunition engineer Grant Jeremiah and talk about the new Longbeard TSS turkey load. We also chat with Foster Bartholow from Team Winchester and his incredible story about a once in a lifetime gobbler. We’ll also chat with Mandy Harling from NWTF about how their education and outreach programs are making an impact on youth across the country. Finally former NWTF CEO of 30 years and turkey hunting legend Rob Keck talks about the early days of the NWTF, about how the Grand National Turkey Calling Championship got started and shares his new quest for the wild turkey provincial slam.

While SHOT Show is a kickoff to a new year with new product offerings, it’s also a celebration of another year in the books. On the third day of SHOT, about 180 of Winchester’s employees, media partners and industry professionals gathered in an outdoor venue right on the Vegas Strip for the Winchester After Party. As the sun set and the stories began to flow, Team Winchester’s Chris Keefer, Casey Keefer and Host Jason Brown sat down with a handful of partners and talked about everything from whitetail deer, to a Kodiak Island waterfowl hunt…to the latest and greatest from partners like Kids and Clays. Sit back and be part of this week’s episode, Live from the Winchester After Party.

Every year Las Vegas hosts the Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trades show, also known as the SHOT Show, to over 60,000 attendees from over 100 countries. Throughout the week, we hunkered down in the Winchester booth while thousands of consumers and dealers checked out everything new from Winchester Ammunition and Repeating Arms. During the madness, we were able to steal some time from about a dozen of the industries finest to talk about hunting, shooting, technology innovations and some of the new offerings from the World of Winchester. In Part One of the three-part SHOT Show special, we sit down with Ben Frank from Winchester and talk about everything new this year from Winchester Ammunition, then chat with Olympic legend Kim Rhode and her push for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, hear from Robert Crow on what’s new at White Flyer, Ryan Swaner and what’s trending at Winchester Repeating Arms, Team Winchester’s Melissa Bachman on her year hunting across North America and wrap up with John Dunlap and his resurrection story on the Winchester Model 98 Canon.

For nearly two decades, Melissa Bachman has been the standard. Entering the outdoor industry landscape at its peak in 2006, Melissa had her sights set on the big things…and in her own words “I just wanted to hunt every day”. Before that, she was a girl from Minnesota who grew up in the outdoors with a family who embraced the hunting lifestyle, so much so that during her high school years her parents would sign a work permit so she could start school after her morning hunts. With a dogged mindset and determination that would later in her career power her up mountains, Melissa broke through first as a camera operator and editor for North American Hunter. In 2010, Melissa founded her own production company, Deadly Passions Productions, where she would launch the self-produced and hosted Winchester’s Deadly Passions television series to millions. Hunting everything from gobblers to mountain goats, Melissa quickly became known for her grit and determination, her authenticity and deep knowledge of the hunting and shooting sports, but the road wasn’t always smooth. In 2012 and 2013 Melissa faced national criticism from the anti-hunting community for her hunting lifestyle that would ultimately eliminate her from an opportunity to participate as a contestant on NatGeo’s Ultimate Survival Alaska. A year later, an African hunt drew more anti-hunting outrage. Just bumps in the road, Melissa stood tall for her hunting heritage and continued to lean in and carve her path forward in the industry.As a longtime Team Winchester ambassador of 15 years, Melissa most recently received the Winchester Legend Award for her commitment as a mentor and role model for hunters and sport shooters worldwide through her published articles, television series and local outreach. An award-winning host, a business owner, a producer, editor, writer and cinematographer, Melissa has been all over the world telling stories and is truly a unicorn in the outdoor industry.