Vortex Nation Podcast

Mark Boardman grabs an AR and Ryan Muckenhirn to walk through a simple and effective way to get a solid boresight on AR platform rifles. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Elk Hoof Disease is a painful, debilitating affliction that reduces an affected elk’s ability to forage and evade predators. Significant prevalence in southwest Washington and confirmed cases in other states have prompted researchers to take it seriously. Dr. Margaret A. Wild, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology at Washington Sta...

Mark Boardman, Jimmy Hamilton, and Ryan Muckenhirn recap the second year of their Wisconsin deer camp. Fun hunt, four deer down, and fantastic farm-fresh food. Tune in to hear all about it. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Shoot first and review later. Mark Boardman grabs Vortex’s Chris Urrutia (Vortex Edge® shooting instructor), Adam Maxwell (high-level competitive shooter/Grandmaster), and Ian Klemm (F-Class National Champion) to find out what new gear they used in 2024. If you don’t want to miss, this podcast is one you don’t want to miss. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any top...

Did Ryan Muckenhirn flip-flop his personal position on the puffy vest? Is he heavily invested in the puffy vest platform? Is he getting down with the down vest? Does he admit Mark Boardman has been right all along? Tune in to hear about his journey into the world of warm core, arms free, active insulation. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like cov...

Is the .22 LR a viable self-defense solution? It’s incredibly popular and for a lot of folks might be the only rifle or pistol they have. With the right ammo, is it good enough to get the job done? Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat with Jason Slinkard from CCI to answer this question and more. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on...

Dustin Diefenderfer is back to help get you ready for the mountains. Tune in to get great fitness info and a look at the tools MTNTOUGH offers. Change your life and the outcome of your hunts with MTNTOUGH. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

2024 is in the past, but what gear gets the nod for future hunts. Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Erik Barber highlight gear they used in 2024 that made a difference. Tune in for our annual “Gear in Review” podcast…Just make sure to hide your wallet from yourself. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on t...

Big bullets, fits in the AR-10 platform, subsonic and supersonic loadings, an ultrafast twist rate — the 8.6 Blackout is a unique option for hunting and tactical applications. Cool? Yes. Fun? Yes. Effective? Yes. Did the world need it? The gang chats through this interesting cartridge to help answer that very question. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics y...

You rarely hear about the .41 Remington Magnum. Why? Many say it’s the most versatile revolver cartridge ever created. How does this one get glossed over? Why doesn’t every revolver manufacturer have a robust line of models chambered for this capable and shootable cartridge? All good questions. Tune in to hear about the venerable .41 Rem Mag. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know i...

The .30 Remington AR had everything going for it and everything going against it at the same time. Compare it to modern cartridges like .300 BLK, and it leaves one scratching their head as to why it just never took off. Timing is everything and the .30 RAR was ahead of its time. Tune in to hear about this cool cartridge few ever heard about. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if...

The cartridge nobody asked for or had to have, the .243 WSSM was super short on perceivable performance advantages and super short lived. Was it the biggest lead-balloon cartridge of all time? Listen and decide for yourself. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Fast, flat, fits in an AR-15, great for long range shooting, an absolute predator pounder, and light recoiling. The 22 ARC lives up to its name of Advanced Rifle Cartridge. So, do you need one? Listen and find out. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

The gang is back from shooting gel out to 900 yards. Now it’s time to talk about their custom .300 WSM built entirely around the Barnes 212 grain LRX Bore Rider bullet. This project starts and ends with a bullet matched with a case and premium components, creating a perfect storm of long-range terminal performance. Is this the ultimate long range hunting rifle? Listen and decide for yourself. As a...

This Christmas Eve, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Jimmy Hamilton sit down for a question-and-answer sesh compliments of you. We dive into lots of great topics in this light-hearted and informative podcast for you, by you, and just in time for Christmas. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us...

Vortex’s Mark Boardman, Erik Barber and Graham Cronin hit the December Whitetail woods in search of late-season success. Tune in for their stories, a few tips, and accounts from three different hunts. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Buckle up for a meatball-inspired episode of Spaghetti Shootout. That’s right, this week’s spaghetti order is loaded with extra meatballs. Old west wanted posters, pinky-up coffee drink doppelgangers, the modern weapon you’d fight WWI with and more. This is one you don’t want to miss! Can Mark take Ryan down for an unprecedented three wins in a row or does his propensity for self-sabotage nuke his...

If your riflescope isn’t mounted correctly, your whole system is sunk. Mark Boardman grabs Ryan Muckenhirn and the tools needed to talk through mounting a riflescope in the podcast studio. Get the info you need to mount your riflescope the right way. 00:00 - Intro 6:59 - Mounting the Rail 13:23 - Scope Rings 16:43 - Scope Rings 19:32 - Leveling The Scope 23:09 - Tightening Scope Ring Screws 26:34...

Vortex’s in-house pistol professional, Adam Maxwell, talks revolvers and revolver competition. Revolvers are classic, cool, and effective for a wide variety of applications. Adam is a wealth of knowledge. Tune in for a great conversation on revolvers, revolver competition and Adam’s plans for this iconic platform. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd...

Cold weather whitetail gear is critical for late season hunting survival. The critters we chase are built to live outside all winter. We are not. Mark Boardman and Erik Barber run through their kit, offering tips to withstand those last bitterly cold hours of the day — so you can punch that tag. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the...

Fill the stockings of those you love with stalking stuffers from Vortex. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn overview great gear sure to be a hit for anyone who enjoys shooting and the outdoors. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

It’s tough to beat an off-the-rack Tikka. Their smooth-as-glass action and accuracy rival custom rifles bearing a much higher cost. But Mark couldn’t leave well enough alone. Tune in to hear about his customized Tikka .300 WSM. This is one do-all killing stick you don’t want to miss. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nati...

Originally developed during the now expired 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, the Hi-Point Carbine gets no respect. It looks goofy and cool at the same time. It has some interesting idiosyncrasies. When it comes to fit and finish, this thing is questionable at best. Yet, we secretly love it. Tune in to hear the high points of the often maligned, Hi-Point Carbine. As always, we want to hear your feedback!...

The gang’s back at it under the influence of the annual time change. The most overrated deer cartridge, to holiday decorating — questions are asked, answers given, meatballs debated, and a winner crowned. Can Mark come out on top two times in a row? Watch to find out. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by a...

Access locally and on out-of-state hunts can be the most challenging logistic. Without a place to go, you’re dead in the water. LandTrust is the Airbnb of hunting access. Select opportunities even have accommodations built in. With fishing and farm experiences as well, there may just be something for everyone. Nic De Castro from LandTrust joins Mark Boardman to talk about their model and what may...