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

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]

427: Weatherby Rifles & Cartridges Explained With Tyler Grethen

In this episode, John McAdams sits down with Tyler Grethen, Marketing Director at Weatherby, for a comprehensive look at one of America's most storied firearm manufacturers. Tyler shares the fascinating history of Roy Weatherby — from door-to-door insurance salesman and garage tinkerer to creator of some of the fastest production cartridges ever made. They discuss the move from California to Wyoming, the legendary Mark V action (including the nine-lug, six-lug, and new short actions), the extremely popular Vanguard line, the innovative 307 series built on a Remington 700 footprint, as well as Weatherby's cartridge lineup and their loaded ammunition offerings. 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 Check out the Weatherby web site [https://weatherby.com/], follow them on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@weatherby], and subscribe to their podcast [https://weatherby.com/company/podcast/].

426: The Savage Model 99-The Thinking Man's Deer Rifle with Bryce Towsley

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 [https://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 [https://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 [https://amzn.to/4u9uQYZ] or on his web site here [https://brycemtowsley.com/] Ep 368: 300 H&H With Joseph von Benedikt [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/300hh/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 404: 404 Jeffery With Phil Massaro [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/400-jeffery-phil-massaro/] – Episode referenced in interview Ep 425: 425 Westley Richards [https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/425-westley-richards/] – Episode referenced in interview

425: 425 Westley Richards: History, Ballistics & Dangerous Game Performance

L.D. McCaa of Westley Richards dives deep into the history and performance of the .425 Westley Richards — one of the most unique and effective British dangerous game cartridges of the early 20th century. In this episode you'll learn: F.C. Selous story and how he tested his new .425 rifle, why Westley Richards created the first rebated-rim short magnum on a standard Mauser action, design details of those new rifles (drop-box magazines, stripper clip loading, feed clips, etc.), ballistics and real-world performance on buffalo, elephant, and Indian game, comparison to the .404 Jeffery and .416 Rigby, use by game departments in Uganda and Rhodesia, and current availability of brass, bullets (including Hammer), and new rifles If you love vintage British cartridges, dangerous game rifles, African hunting history, or classic bolt actions, this conversation is packed with rare insights and technical details you won't find anywhere else. Learn more about once forgotten classic rifle cartridges that are now making a big comeback [https://youtu.be/yDqW7RowOlo] here Sponsor: Make sure you're signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebook [https://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 [https://patreon.com/biggamehunter] Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!