432: The 6.5x55-The 130+ Year Old Round Delivering 6.5 PRC Performance

432: The 6.5x55-The 130+ Year Old Round Delivering 6.5 PRC Performance

Joseph von Benedict returns to the show for a deep dive into one of his favorite classic cartridges: the 6.5×55 Swedish Mauser (aka the 6.5 Swede). Joseph shares a few hunting stories involving the cartridge from Mozambique, New Zealand, and even a giant roe deer in Spain. They break down the cartridge's rich history and Olympic pedigree, why it's still winning fans more than 126 years after its introduction, and how modern handloads and bullets can push the 6.5×55 to near 6.5 PRC performance. If you appreciate classic cartridges that still deliver serious performance with the right loads and shot placement, you'll love this conversation. 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. Visit bestsafarihunt.com [https://biggamehuntingadventures.com/south-africa-hunting-packages/] or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com [john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com] to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook [http://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. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Recommended Episodes Ep 96: Elk Hunting Bullets With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/josephvonbenedikt/] – Previous interview with Joseph Ep 104: Elk Hunting Rifles With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/josephvonbenediktelkhuntingrifles/] – Previous interview with Joseph Ep 130: Caribou Hunting In Alaska With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/josephvonbenediktcaribouhuntingalaska/] – Previous interview with Joseph Ep 162: Moose Hunting 101 With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/moosehunting101josephvonbenedikt/] – Previous interview with Joseph Ep 174: Bighorn Sheep Hunting With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/bighorn-sheep-hunting-with-joseph-von-benedikt/] – Previous interview with Joseph Ep 315: Best Cartridge For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-for-hunting-with-jvb/] – Previous interview with Joseph Ep 368: 300 H&H: The Original .30 Caliber Magnum With JvB [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/300hh/] – Previous interview with Joseph 1) Joseph's Personal Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/josephvonbenedikt/] Page 2) Check Out The Backcountry Hunting Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backcountry-hunting-podcast/id1455406581], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1o8I0vZkNgYXZBlr84ZcYl], & YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BackcountryHuntingPodcast/videos]

431: True Cost of an Africa Hunt: Elk vs Plains Game Safari

Is an African safari really as expensive as most hunters think? I break down the real, all-in costs of a guided plains game hunt in South Africa versus a guided rifle elk hunt in Wyoming — using hard numbers from actual hunts in this episode. I discuss everything: daily rates, trophy fees, licenses, tips, flights, taxidermy, meat processing, shipping trophies and meat home, and all the hidden extras that surprise most hunters. You'll see exactly what a quality 8-day plains game package (gemsbok, blue wildebeest, blesbok, and impala) costs compared to a 6-night elk hunt, including my personal numbers from a recent Wyoming elk hunt. If you've ever wondered whether Africa is out of reach financially, or how the costs truly stack up against a North American big game hunt, this episode delivers the transparent breakdown you've been looking for. 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. Visit bestsafarihunt.com [https://biggamehuntingadventures.com/south-africa-hunting-packages/] or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com [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! Recommended Episodes 254: The Logistics Of Hunting Africa Part 1 [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/logistics-of-hunting-africa-part-1/] 264: The Logistics Of Hunting Africa Part 2 (Taxidermy) [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/logistics-africa-part-2/] 298: Non-Traditional Taxidermy & Taxidermy Alternatives [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/non-traditional-taxidermy-taxidermy-alternatives/]

430: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Jim Harmer

Jim Harmer (aka Backfire on YouTube) 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 play little game where Phil 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. Email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com [john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com] with suggestions for other guests you'd like me to play this game with. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Get a Backstop Recoil pad (among many other cool products they sell) at the BackFire Shop [https://backfireshop.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopsR829gM6cssuf8hQx96X76NdB3FRC8Sw-G8ID2EjCCPyI8AZQ] Subscribe to the Backfire YouTube channel here [https://www.youtube.com/@backfire] Ep 419: 25 Weatherby RPM With Richard Mann [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/257-weatherby-rpm-with-richard-mann/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 423: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Phil Massaro [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-phil-massaro/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 401: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-richard-mann/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 387: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Larry Weishuhn [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-larry-weishuhn/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 372: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With WHO_TEE_WHO [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-for-hunting-darn-near-anything-with-who-tee-who/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 336: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-for-hunting-with-ron-spomer/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 315: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/best-cartridge-for-hunting-with-jvb/] – Episode referenced in interview

429: Is The New 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak The End of the 6.5 PRC?

Federal has taken the high-pressure case technology first seen in the 7mm Backcountry and applied it to the 6.5 Creedmoor, creating the new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak. This new ammunition promises to deliver 6.5 PRC level performance out of a standard 6.5 Creedmoor rifle. In this episode, Outdoor Life shooting editor John Snow returns to the podcast to discuss his extensive pre-launch testing of this groundbreaking ammunition from Federal. We cover real-world performance with this ammunition in 20″ and 24″ barrels, how that performance compares to traditional 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC factory ammunition, what reliability was like, and the exciting news that these cases are reloadable. We also dive deep into Proof Research's revolutionary PXT radical gain-twist barrels and why they're a perfect match for higher-pressure loads, including major improvements in barrel life. We also discuss potential +P versions of other cartridges (like the .308 Winchester and 5.56 NATO, etc.), implications for suppressors and short-barreled rifles, military applications, and how this technology is resetting expectations for centerfire rifle performance. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook [http://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. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Read John's article on Outdoor Life about 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak here [https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/federal-plus-peak-6-5-creedmoor-review/] and watch his youtube video on the ammunition here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEuOeSz7BtU]. Follow John on Instagram @John_b_snow [https://www.instagram.com/john_b_snow/]. Follow Outdoor Life on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/outdoorlife], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/outdoor_life/], and You [https://www.youtube.com/Outdoorlife]T [https://www.youtube.com/Outdoorlife]ube [https://www.youtube.com/Outdoorlife] Ep 366: Modern Cartridge Design With John Snow [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/modern-cartridge-design/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 353: Is Federal's New 7mm Backcountry A Gamechanger? [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/7mm-backcountry-cartridge/] – Episode referenced in interview

428: 5 Guns Every Hunter Should Own

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 [https://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 [https://www.youtube.com/@BigGameHuntingPodcast] 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 [https://www.youtube.com/@Thebiggamehuntingblog] 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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc31agwWN2g] 5 Forgotten Classic Cartridges Making A Comeback In 2026 [https://youtu.be/yDqW7RowOlo]