Vortex Nation Podcast

The wild turkey – one of conservation’s greatest success stories – is facing extreme challenges in certain regions. Mark Boardman grabs Sam Soholt to break down what’s affecting historic strongholds of these fine birds and how we as hunters can help.  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 Insta...

Mark Boardman tags in as host for Jimmy while he’s out on “personal business,” Ryan Muckenhirn is his usual collected self, and Cody Dummer from Vortex Edge® makes his debut in this exciting episode of Spaghetti Shootout. They debate the best movie gunfight of all time, the best cartridge that never took off, how a dog would most likely wear pants, and more. Tune in for a good time.  As always, we...

Of German origin and common in Europe, the 8x57 Mauser isn’t a popular cartridge in the USA. Curiously though, it shares the same rim diameter/bolt face of our beloved 30-06, along with performance characteristics not too far off. Tune in to hear Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn talk through its history, multiple iterations, bore diameter(s) and more. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let...

It’s lever time! Mark Boardman, Jimmy Hamilton, and Ryan Muckenhirn cock their repeaters for this podcast all about lever action rifles. They cover history, cultural significance, operating mechanism differences, Hollywood film influence, and more. If you didn’t want a lever gun before tuning into this podcast, you will now…Or maybe you’ll be inspired to blow the dust off a lever-action relic that...

In today’s digital, AI, electronically controlled world, there’s still room for doing things the old-fashioned way. Not for nostalgia’s sake, but because it flat out works. And in some cases, works better. A selection of open-reed and closed-reed calls on an easy-to-access lanyard (knowing when and how to use them) can be the difference maker on any coyote-calling set. We bring coyote hunting guru...

Mark Boardman buries his truck in the ditch and promptly grabs Jimmy Hamilton to tap into his recovery gear knowledge repertoire. They cover vehicle recovery philosophy, equipment, what you need, use cases, safety, and more. If you drive a car, tune in for some great information. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™...

Flavorful, vibrant, and downright delicious meals don’t have to be overly complex or labor intensive. Gerard Masih is back to chat about a recipe sure to dazzle on Valentine’s Day. We also cover “cooking outside the box”, where a person can find the melting pot of spices common to Pakistani cuisine and more. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like c...

Gerard Masih is a first generation Pakistani American, hunter, father, and traditional Pakistani cooking enthusiast. His family migrated to America primarily due to religious persecution. In this podcast, we chat about his family’s journey to America, his hunting journey, his passion for traditional Pakistani cooking and more.  As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any...

.22 Long or 410 for small game? Trick question! The only choice you have to make with host Mark Boardman’s small-game-special – his vintage Savage Model 24 – is which barrel you select when it’s go-time. This unique combination gun features .22 long over 410 bore shotgun barrels and is the perfect solution for any woods walk requiring a bit of versatility to bring birds, bunnies and bushytails to...

The start of the year is a great time to evaluate your gear set. In this episode, the gang at Vortex looks back at the hunting kit they ran last year – and really liked! If you’re as big a gear nerd as we are, tune in to hear all about it. You just might make a “New Gear Resolution.” Warning: This podcast may cause you to spend money. Sign up now for a chance to win an optics and apparel shopping...

In this episode, Ryan Muckenhirn plays the sheriff while Jimmy Hamilton works to send Mark Boardman spiraling into an irrecoverable flat spin of meatball melancholy. Does Jim come out victorious, or does Mark get vengeance against Jim’s notorious favorite playing? Tune in to get their takes on the most important pocket tool, tacos vs. burritos, which Top Gun movie is better and more.  As always, w...

How to choose an AR-15 optic? Mark Boardman, Jimmy Hamilton, and special guest Mike Griffin from Vortex Edge® tackle this nuanced question head on. From red dots, magnifiers, holographic sights, prism scopes, and LPVO’s, to higher zoom range riflescopes – they cover all these great AR-topping options. Which is right for your AR applications? Listen to find out. As always, we want to hear your feed...

The scout rifle concept carries with it a storied history. What are the benefits of the scout rifle? Did it ever really accomplish what it was intended to do? Are we creating modern scout rifles today and not even knowing it? Tune in as Mark Boardman, Jimmy Hamilton, and Ryan Muckenhirn chat all about this interesting rifle, its curious attributes, and if it got caught in the land of in-between. ...

Dedicated coyote hunter Bill Krivanek takes to airwaves, giving us a rundown of his get-it-done predator kit. From his rifle, optics, and calls to the chair for his derriere, and everything between, tune in to get tuned in on what it takes to consistently put dogs on the ground. Spoiler alert, it really isn’t that much.  As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics...

Mid-magnification riflescopes can be the perfect solution for most of your hunting and shooting needs. Less specialized and ideal for general use, sometimes the best tool for the job is the one that does everything ok. Versatility is the name of the game with mid-magnification riflescopes. Listen as we discuss the merit of these workhorse configurations. As always, we want to hear your feedback! L...

Experienced western hunter/Vortex employee, Travis Jones and Elk Shape’s Dan Staton join Mark Boardman for an Elk Shape Camp recap. They talk through the camp from the perspectives of participant and instructor. Dan’s camps teach folks about elk hunting and themselves. As hunters we are perpetual students. Commit to your elk education and sign up for one of Dans events. As always, we want to hear...

Perhaps no other topic kicks the cartridge hornets nest harder than crowning the best cartridge for whitetails. The title of this podcast alone has enough click bait to draw hunters like deer to a January corn pile. Tune in as the Vortex Nation Podcast’s usual suspects tackle this impossible question. What’s your go-to cartridge for America’s most popular big game animal? As always, we want to hea...

Jerry Miculek is back on the podcast clock giving us a rundown on his open-division race gun. This thing is cool as heck and built for speed – just like Jerry. It’s always fun chatting with the “godfather of shooting”. This podcast is no exception!  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 Instagr...

Sometimes the pre-podcast discussion turns into its own podcast. In this episode, The Fowl Life’s Chad Belding joins Mark to chat about goose tactics. Immediately derailed from the start, they spend all their time talking about the incredibly positive spiderweb effect hunting has on our lives, our interpersonal relationships and more. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there...

“I know what you're thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world…” This classic quote excerpt from Clint Eastwood’s movie character, Dirty Harry, helped give the .44 Mag its iconic reputation in American cartridge lore…that and the serious punch it de...

The crossover between long-range precision shooting and hunting is undeniable these days. The line is more blurred than ever. On impact, the terminal requirements for success are very different. Is the 6mm Creedmoor the perfect deer cartridge for most folks, or does it leave a person under gunned? How important is spotting impacts for targets and game? Listen as we chat through the attributes of t...

The 7mm has been a long-time favorite for long-range shooting. So, it just makes sense Hornady added the 7mm PRC to the incredibly popular PRC family. Will it leave all the current 7mm’s in its cartridge dust? If you’re a 7mm fan, are your current rifles now obsolete? Will it be your new lucky-number-7 next fall? Tune in to find out. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there a...

If bigger is better, the .22 Mag should be in every gun safe alongside or in place of the .22 Long. But it isn’t. So where does this small but effective rimfire shine? Listen in to see if you need to add this mini-magnum to your cartridge repertoire. 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 Instag...

For a cartridge introduced in the late 1800s that initially used black powder as its propellant, the .303 British is astonishingly modern. From a historical perspective, is it the Brit’s version of the 30-06? Is it basically a .308 in some ways? Grab your tea and crumpets for a fun talk on this rimmed, bottlenecked beauty that has stood the test of time.  As always, we want to hear your feedback!...

In classic Weatherby form, the 6.5 RPM is built for speed! That’s the only classic Weatherby thing about this cartridge. RPM stands for rebated precision magnum – a dramatic departure from their traditional offerings. Maximizing the efficiency of 6.5mm bullets, as well as the entire Mark V 6-lug action, should it be more popular? We think so! Tune in to hear all about this modern-cartridge marvel....