On the Horizon

For this week's On the Horizon episode, Derrick and Michael sit down again in this PART 2 of our customs episodes to talk about our new and improved process for turning custom rifle dreams into reality. Just to recap, in PART 1, Derrick and Michael reminisce about the past custom rifles they have built and the amazing details that went into them. You are missing out if you have not seen that...

In this week's On the Horizon podcast episode, Derrick is joined by Colton Roelofs, professional coyote hunter. Colton Roelofs is a coyote hunter, day and night, with 74 kills so far this year alone. He talks about the gear you need to rack up the kills, how important wind is, the key to using a thermal, and much more. Colton and Derrick discuss the different calls you can use and the tricks...

On this week's episode of the On the Horizon podcast, Derrick is joined by Pro MMA fighter, J.R. Crosby. J.R. is involved with a lot of things, including MMA fighting, teaching college courses in criminology, competitive shooting, and more! He tells us all about how he got into MMA fighting, his past jobs in law enforcement, and his current job as a criminology professor. Derrick asks J.R. ab...

On this week's On the Horizon episode, Derrick is joined by Texas hunter and MLB Orioles starting pitcher, Grayson Rodriguez.  Grayson is a native Texan from Nacogdoches, where he grew up with a love for both baseball and hunting. From playing baseball in the spring to hunting in the fall, Grayson has continued his passion for both sports and has seen himself go above and beyond in both areas...

For this week’s On the Horizon episode, Derrick sits down with Horizon Firearms’ very own Research & Development Engineer, Michael Vestal. This is Part 1 of a two part series in which Derrick and Michael talk about the custom rifles we design and create at Horizon Firearms.  In this Part 1 episode, Michael and Derrick reminisce about the custom rifles they created in the past and talk about wh...

This week’s episode features Braxton Hicks, one of the first employees at Horizon Firearms, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife R3 Coordinator for Hunting and Shooting Sports. Braxton tells us all about his journey after Horizon and how he got into the Texas Wildlife Association. He goes into detail on the youth hunts he leads, how current youth can apply today, and the secrets to getting chosen. Bra...

We're calling this week's episode PART 2 for our Barrel Length vs Speed Test.  As a quick recap, in that episode, Derrick takes a 26" 22 Creedmoor to the range so see what happens when the barrel is shortened down to 14", in 1-inch increments. (Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/F8ZDyz_RXtk) Now, back in the studio, Derrick explores and explains the data around the drop,...

This week's episode is a bit different than our normal podcast. Derrick Ratliff is joined by Austin Ratliff and Trouper Krueger in rating our past podcast guests' favorite hunting snacks. The snacks range widely, from the typical Gushers and Moon Pies, all the way to what one guest called a "Mexican PB&J." The guys rate all the snacks based on their flavor, packability, and...

In this week's episode, Derrick talks with River Kile - the design engineer for Stiller. After Stiller Actions was bought by Kaspar Outdoors, River was brought in to create new processes and designs and help breath new life into the action company. He invented new ways to create the original Stiller designs, and he fully designed the new Stiller Wombat action. River discusses his design proce...

In this week’s episode, Derrick chats with Zak May – longtime reloader, outdoor writer, and the guy behind the Reloading Quest channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReloadingQuest After spending some time behind a Horizon 22 Creed for a magazine article, Zak was hooked on the cartridge and began his most recent quest for the perfect load. Zak has been reloading since he was 10 years old, so he shares...

Join host Derrick Ratliff, founder of Horizon Firearms, in a captivating discussion with special guest JVB (Joseph Von Benedikt) on the latest episode of On The Horizon Podcast. Delve into the world of precision shooting and ballistics as they explore the 22 Creedmoor cartridge, hailed as the next-generation 22 caliber centerfire cartridge. From its origins to its performance in the field, discove...

Join host Derrick Ratliff in an insightful discussion with Muley Freak, the authority on hunting Mule Deer, hailing from the scenic Ogden Valley, Utah. Get ready to dive deep into the world of Mule Deer hunting as Erik of Muley Freak shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise. From tactics to gear, and unforgettable hunting tales, this episode of On The Horizon Podcast is a must-listen for hunti...

🌄 Join Derrick Ratliff, Horizon Firearms' founder, on a remote set in South Texas alongside Lansdom Yoakum, head buyer for Online Outfitters and Schooler Representative Ryan Dusik. In this episode of "On the Horizon," they delve into the practicalities of the 22 Creedmoor rifles and dissect the fast-paced trends of the firearms industry. They also talk about the new ranch record 22...

Join host Derrick Ratliff and special guest Tyler Kijac, the acclaimed winner of the Ultimate Cowboy Showdown, for an immersive journey into the heart of cowboy culture. Filmed on location at the iconic Circle Y Saddles headquarters in Yoakum, TX, this episode of On the Horizon delves deep into the artistry and craftsmanship behind some of the world's finest saddlery. As Tyler shares his expe...

Join us on the latest episode of "On the Horizon" as Derrick Ratliff sits down with acclaimed writer Sean Utley, Hornady engineer Ryan Dammen, and Horizon GM Trouper Kruger. Dive deep into the world of the 22 Creedmoor, as these experts share their insights on bullet design, vapor trails, and much more. Gain valuable knowledge and behind-the-scenes perspectives from the forefront of inno...

🎙️ Unleash the Firepower: Join Derrick for a lively podcast as he talks to Jim from Backfire TV!  From the groundbreaking 22 Creedmoor to the best calibers, top-notch bullets, and the worst rifles you might encounter, this podcast is packed with industry wisdom and insider info.  They also share some of their favorite hunting tales – blending adrenaline-pumping stories with expert insights that&ap...

Derrick spends 3 days with Jody Smith Guide Service hunting a blacktail deer deep in the logging country of Western Oregon just 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  Jody’s family moved to the area as German immigrants in the 1840s via the National Land Claim and he was born and raised hunting and loving firearms with his father and grandfather.  Jody said he hosts a lot of clients who are trying to co...

In this episode, Derrick dives deep into the world of Western hunting with none other than the seasoned expert and gun guru, Hazer Bulkley. Get ready for an enlightening conversation that covers everything from rifle calibers to barrel configurations to the lightweight rifle craze, and a special spotlight on the mighty 22 Creedmoor—an absolute game-changer in the world of hunting calibers. Derrick...

Derrick Ratliff, founder of Horizon Firearms, discusses the differences between the 6.5 PRC, the 300 PRC and Derrick's favorite, the 7 PRC. We get questions often about which one is the best fit for Horizon Firearms clients.  Derrick uses JM Ballistics calculator to discuss drop, velocity and wind drift differences and which caliber is ideal for what style of hunting as well as recoil expecta...

Occasionally, an entrepreneur at heart will stumble upon a concept that they can’t believe doesn’t yet exist. So they create it. With a team of investors and co-founders, Jonathan Lusk created an “AirBNB for ranches and hunting experiences” concept. Through his company, BirdDog Adventures, he is connecting landowners who have game/lodges/guides/food with hunters who need places to hunt and make me...

We all decided on this side of the podcast that we need to be real life friends with Andrew McKean. Andrew conveyed a curious spirit and kind approach - a true journalist heart. He has traveled the world and had once-in-a-lifetime experiences while serving as Hunting and Conservation Editor for Outdoor Life Magazine, Hunting Editor for Strung magazine, Conservation Editor for Western Hunting Journ...

Derrick Ratliff interviews the hosts of the highest paying predator hunting contest in the country (over $3,000,000 to date!) that attracts over 700 teams per contest. Occurring three times per year in January, February, and March, the 23 hour contest attracts hunters from all over Texas. Jeremy Harrison and Todd Schwartz share interesting details regarding stats on the weights of winning cats to...

Derrick flies solo this podcast to announce Stiller’s new 22-ounce action completely redesigned by Horizon Firearms for Stiller. He spends a little bit of time reviewing the current product offerings of Stiller and the history of the company, including its sister company relationship to Horizon Firearms. Don’t miss the details of this exciting new release! . . . . . On The Horizon episodes brought...

Texas Music singer/songwriter, Aaron Watson, joins Derrick Ratliff in the studio for an interesting and inspiring music and hunting-focused conversation. Aaron talks about grit and perseverance and how, even after recording over 1,000 songs, he’s just as motivated and hungry in his career as he’s ever been. They talk about his music influences and how almost every song he’s ever written has been c...

The time has come! First heard from On The Horizon podcast, Seth Swerczek and Jadyn Quinlan from Hornady announce that the 22 Creedmoor is becoming a SAAMI-approved round!  Hornady will be manufacturing 22 Creedmoor ammunition and has partnered with Horizon Firearms (and sister company Texas Ammunition) for exclusive distribution rights.  Derrick, Seth and Jadyn discuss all the specifications of t...