Backcountry Hunting Podcast

This episode I'm joined by engineer Mike Ballard and long-time hunting partner Chris Ellis to talk Timney Triggers, and how to pick the right trigger and get the best out of it.  We discuss:   Trigger terminology How triggers are designed Choosing the right trigger Single-stage vs. two-stage triggers Trigger pull weights appropriate for hunting The refined aspects: Trigger shoe shape & width, comp...

Some of the most adventurous DIY backcountry hunts out West are spring bear hunts. This episode digs deep into planning and executing a fun, safe, successful hunt for black bears in big public-land country.  We discuss:  Destination States Necessary gear E-Scouting and actual scouting Hunting methods How to recognize a bear hotspot Bear rifles, cartridges, and bullets How to shoot and kill a bear...

This episode we're joined by Stone Glacier founder and lead product designer Kurt Racicot, who's a passionate backcountry hunter. A past Alaska resident for a dozen years, Kurt hunted and shot several mountain goats and dall sheep on solo adventures, as well as moose and bear and caribou, before moving home to Montana and launching Stone Glacier.  Here, Kurt shares stories and lessons learned duri...

What's all the froth and fervor over modern cartridges? Should we really discard the old tried-and-true classics? Sometimes, perhaps. Often, absolutely not.  This episode takes a deep dive into the pros & cons of modern, cutting-edge cartridges versus classic, proven cartridges.  We discuss: Cutting-edge bullets Ammo availability Proven terminal performance vs. prototype projectiles What happens i...

Ever hunted in negative 25 degree (C) temps, on 11-foot cross-country skis? Rob Gearing, founder of Spartan Precision Equipment has, and in this episode he shares his most recent adventures. Frostbitten fingertips were the least of the damage; Rob actually experienced frostbite in his shooting eye. Several times he had to personally re-insert a troublesome hernia that popped out while straining to...

This episode dives into the often-daunting task of preparing to hunt Out West. For folks coming from low-elevation flatland, here's a guide on the whole shootin' match:  Mental prep Physical prep Handling high altitudes Differences from hunting whitetails How to handle hunter pressure How to find and hunt wary, pressured game How to hunt overwhelmingly big country How to stay safe in dangerous ter...

This episode dives into the cutting-edge 7mm PRC and the legendary .280 Ackley Improved. We compare accuracy potential, long-range capability, recoil levels, efficiency and barrel life, versatility with various bullets, downrange potency, appropriate rifle actions, magazine capacity and follow-up shots, ammunition and rifle availability, and more.  ENJOY!  FRIENDS, PLEASE SUPPORT THE PODCAST!  Joi...

What does it take to cleanly kill an elk? This episode, we sit down with professional western guide Colton Heward, who has seen hundreds of elk shot. Colton shares his opinion on the useful minimum energy required to kill big bulls quickly, and details the cartridges and bullets that work best.  We also swap stories about hunting anomalies; experiences that just shouldn't happen—but did. Antelope...

Browning knocked my socks off with two surprise introductions at SHOT 2023! First is an X-Bolt chambered in .270 Winchester—with a fast rifling twist rate in the barrel! You can shoot all traditional .270 ammo in it, plus handloaders can use all the modern, heavy-for-caliber, high-BC bullets. It's terrific.  Second is a whole line of X-Bolt rifles chambered in 7mm PRC. I thought Browning wouldn't...

This brief new-product segment is a first look at Remington's new Premier Long Range ammo. This ammo is loaded with heavy-for-caliber, high-BC bullets, built by Speer, using the same molecular plating/bonding construction used in Federal's excellent Fusion bullets.  As a result, it's a tough, deep-penetrating bullet that will open reliably at distance, and if it's anything like the Fusion bullet,...

Thanks to a listener's request, we're bringing the grand old .270 Winchester some love. This episode dives into how to get the best ballistic and terminal performance out of the cartridge.  We talk rifle accuracy, factory load options and selection, handloading the .270, and some bullets that have provided top-tier performance over the years.  This is a BONUS episode, and it's also the 2023 SHOT S...

This episode we're joined by Brandon Maddox, head man at Silencer Central and the suppressor world's leading genius. We talk rough-country hunting, and unpack the all-new 7.8-oz. titanium Banish Backcountry suppressor. Next, Brandon gives us a "state of the ATF" address outlining the current status of the eForm system and what purchasers can expect. For first-time buyers, we lay out how to keep it...

Ethical hunters try very hard to never wound and fail to recover a game animal. However, no scenario in life is entirely controllable, and occasionally, game is wounded and either lost or recovered with extreme difficulty.  This episode relates several such experiences, and digs deep and honestly into what went wrong and what should have been done differently. It's a candid look at what can happen...

In 2021 John Zombro—a hard-core Montana backcountry hunter and orthopedic physical therapist—blew his shooting-side shoulder joint up like a grenade.  Unwilling to give up his lifelong passion for hunting, John researched and put together a special rifle/cartridge system that enabled him to take mule deer, elk, and antelope the season following his shoulder reconstruction.  John hosts The Lifetime...

This episode discusses the types of bullets best for use on western big game inside 400 yards. Terminal performance challenges of various shot angles are explored, bullets that "dump all their energy inside" are myth-busted, controlled-expansion vs. rapid-expansion projectiles are discussed.  Philosophy and ethics of close-range vs. long-range hunting and shooting skills are brought under scrutiny...

This episode we're joined by Gunwerks founder and owner Aaron Davidson, one of the world's most knowledgeable experts in the realm of long-range precision hunting. Primary topic is the use of target-type bullets such as Berger's VLD's and Hornady's ELD Match for hunting big game. Aaron defines when such bullets are ideal, the various types most suitable, and characteristics unique to each type.  T...

In every serious hunters' life, there have been one or more mentors that inspired and educated. This episode is dedicated to all the great ambassadors of hunting out there, and contains a dozen of our top nominations for the 200th episode rifle setup giveaway. The nominations show an awesome cross-section of the type of folks that we all ought to be—and include life stories heartwarming and heart-...

Nothing like a good cartridge discussion to make the 200th episode great! Host Joseph von Benedikt details his favorite cartridge for across-the-spectrum big game hunting in the Lower 48, digging deep on the cartridge's history and development, as well as the performance characteristics that make it so capable. What exactly is it? You'll have to listen to find out.  We also detail our celebratory...

Ever feel like your rifle is holding you back? Or watch a friend fail to connect on a buck or bull because their rifle setup has limitations?  This episode is all about setting your shooting' iron up for success. We dive into deep detail on the following:  Choosing a Rifle Choosing a Cartridge Choosing a Scope Maximizing distance capability Accessories crucial to success: Sling Bipod Anti-cant bub...

CELEBRATION TIME!  We're about to hit a huge milestone, folks! It's our 200th episode. To celebrate, we're doing a massive gear giveaway. This isn't an ordinary drawing, though. It's a give-back effort to those that have inspired, mentored, and guided us in our passion for hunting and for living in general. You can't actually enter for our "grand prize" yourself. Please submit the name of someone...

In this awesome episode we're joined by Shaundi, Kali, and Tess to hear the stories of their 2022 fall caribou hunt. (Check out episode 185 on their hunt planning and prep.) The three ladies headed to northern Alaska on their own, and found, shot, processed, and packed out three good caribou bulls. Their tales are remarkable, and the insight they share invaluable. Even the part where they describe...

This episode compares the hot new 7mm PRC with the tried-and-true 7mm Rem Mag , and to a lesser extent the 28 Nosler. We discuss whether the 7mm PRC provides a practical advantage, and consider the type of shooter and hunter that will benefit from the 7mm PRC vs. the 7mm Rem Mag. Ballistic performance, suitable bullets, custom rifles vs. off-the-shelf rifles, factory ammo vs. tuned handloads... al...

Recorded live and raw in Idaho's rough elk country, this episode takes a deep dive into three key methods of late-season elk hunting:  Glassing big wide-open country Finding and hunting tiny pockets of rich feed and cover Tracking in snow Host Joseph von Benedikt provides tips and tricks for each method, and discusses end results for which each method is most effective. Real-world stories of failu...

Is the new 7mm PRC necessary? If so, why? Does it accomplish much that current 7mm's can't?  The answer is yes, profoundly. However, the devil is in the details. The 7mm PRC offers a series of small advantages that add up to a massive overall superiority. In short, it's potentially the best 7mm magnum cartridge ever designed.  This episode starts from a skeptical standpoint and explores the 7mm PR...

Folks, here's a quick 5-minute bonus episode on the brand-new 7mm PRC cartridge. ENJOY!  www.patreon.com/backcountry