Vortex Nation Podcast

Joel Turner joins Mark Boardman to discuss the system he’s developed to help archers and bowhunters shoot with control. The stress of competition, the stress of a big buck finally in range, or even shooting in front of others changes things dramatically. His method is fascinating and effective. The result — putting arrows where you want under pressure. Joel's model for success applies to other act...

On a backpack hunt, what you don’t take is as important as what you do. Every item comes with consequence. Bring it and you have it — along with the weight penalty it bears. Don’t bring it and go without something you may need. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat through items left behind on Mark’s alpine bear hunt, whether it was the right call, and the aggregate weight he saved. As always, we...

Get pumped up for this podcast all about pump rifles. Forgotten by many and preferred by most in some regions, the slide-action centerfire is unique and effective. Nowadays, there aren’t many being made. Will they ever make a comeback? For nostalgia-sake and those living in regions where this style of rifle shines, we hope so. Tune in for this ode to the pump gun. As always, we want to hear your f...

Perhaps no cartridge receives as much love or hate as the 6.5 Creedmoor. In this episode, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn and Jimmy’s proxy (a stuffed pigeon) focus on the hate by analyzing 6.5 Creedmoor memes. Tune in for a fun, lighthearted conversation compliments of the all-mighty internet.  As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the...

Share your hero's story Dale Veneklasen and Brian Soliday join Mark Boardman and Brittani Owens to talk about the Vortex Believe in Heroes program, the Rocky Mountain Heroes Foundation, Dale’s impressive military career, his history of serving others, and being selected to go to the Armed Forces Bowl. Tune in to hear from/about two incredible people and learn how you can nominate your hero so they...

We wait all year for the whitetail rut. If you’re entering the home stretch with an unpunched tag, anxiety can be at an all-time high. Good news, Slingin' Rik is back with some last-minute rut tips to help you bring that big whitetail buck to bag. Don’t lose hope! This can be the best time to make your whitetail dreams come true! As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are a...

Knox Williams from the American Suppressor Association (ASA) drops in to give us a rundown on the organization and the important work they are doing. As hunters and shooters, we are reaping the benefits. Tune in for an update on suppressor-related issues and positive movement. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ pod...

Shots are fired, feelings are bruised, awkward passes are made at an old woman, and the guys receive a stuffed pigeon with a special meatball message. Does Mark FINALLY break his long-standing losing streak? Does Jim score the rounds impartially? Do things get weird like they normally do? Watch to find out. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like co...

The Remington CORE-LOKT has been knocking big game down since 1939. Revolutionary at its inception, this bullet set a standard in projectile performance. Today, it is the “everyman’s” get-it-done option. Value and performance packed, it simply delivers. Listen as Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn give high praise to this iconic bullet that will no doubt see considerable action yet again this fall....

Late October is not only an exciting time to hunt whitetails but can be the absolute best time to kill the big buck you are after. Vortex’s Slingin' Rik is back to chat late October whitetail tactics. Reading sign, calling, decoys, scents, weather patterns, terrain, and public vs private strategies — we cover it all. If you hunt whitetails, this is one you don’t want to miss. As always, we want to...

Hits like a 12, carries like a 20. The 16 gauge may be the perfect all-around solution for any shotgunning endeavor. So why isn’t it more popular? Should it be?  Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat about this often neglected but incredibly effective option. 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...

Bullet stability: What is it? You ever thought about it? Why does it matter? Should you be thinking about it? How is it best achieved? Are there myths that need busting? Hornady’s ballistician extraordinaire and so much more, Jayden Quinlan, joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn to get us all learned up on bullet stability. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any t...

If more is better, the .280 Remington must certainly outshine the venerable .270. Nope. Does this mean the .280 Remington can’t take down big game with gusto? Nope. Does the .280 Remington do anything more established cartridges don’t? Nope. By the numbers, it’s a heck of a cartridge. Alas, it is a lead balloon. Tune in to hear about this fine cartridge doomed from the start. As always, we want to...

Spartan Precision — intelligent, ultralight, practical, fast, versatile, and adaptive rifle support. Rob Gearing, founder of Spartan Precision, joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn for an entertaining and informative podcast detailing the Spartan Precision story and their products. Getting steady in the heat of the moment is critical for executing any rifle shot. Spartan Precision may be your s...

This spotting scope is soon to be one of your favorite optics. Listen as Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn profess what they love about this compact, lightweight, and incredibly capable spotter. 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

Lone Wolf Custom Gear’s, Cody D’Acquisto, is back to chat mobile whitetail hunting tactics, October bucks, and how his minimalist gear set has changed since our last conversation. If you hunt whitetails, don’t miss this one! 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

A big pill, a badass name, and…maybe that’s it? Why do we have this cartridge? What was/is it used for? Should it receive the dreaded “lead balloon” status? Decide for yourself as we chat about this curious cartridge born from serious talk yet saw little action. 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...

Testing complete, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn and special guest Reuben Aleckson break down their 6mm ARC terminal test. One factory offering is contrasted with handloads intended to maximize the performance of this petite cartridge in the bolt rifle platform. Listen as they dissect the project, the gel blocks, and Reuben’s field experience shooting deer with it. In certain cases, could a lower...

Rock — Paper — Scissors — Spaghetti Shootout.  Your favorite series is back for its third and final season! Can Mark Boardman turn the tide against his good friend/Spaghetti Shootout arch enemy Ryan Muckenhirn to pull out a winning season, or will he, in classic form, blow a trivia question he’s known the answer to his entire life due to a deep-seated and not yet understood need for self-sabotage?...

Silencers live their suppressing lives subjected to extreme conditions to say the least. Like most things, a little maintenance is required for optimal performance. Chase Glenn from SilencerCo joins Mark Boardman and Scott Parks to chat suppressor care and cleaning. It may be simpler than you think. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on...

You get five guns. What are they? One of our listeners asked this very question – so we sat down to answer it. Tune in for four different takes on the perfect five-gun 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 Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Vortex Edge® Hunter Marksmanship Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Erik Barber, drops by to recap the course. Experienced hunter and crack shot, Erik proves once again there is always something to learn when it comes to hunting and shooting. 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 @vortexnat...

The 1911 Stood up for America and its soldiers as a service pistol for nearly 80 years — and still stands today as one of the most capable pistol designs in existence. 1911 enthusiast, expert competitive shooter, amateur historian, and Vortex Mil/LE account manager, Adam Maxwell, joins the crew to chat all about this more than iconic pistol.  As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know i...

Vortex’s Travis Jones is at it again with his 33 Nosler. This thing is an absolute long-range bomber. Lisen to hear about the rifle, cartridge, and impressive ballistics he’s getting out of 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

Riflescopes are often wrongly accused suspects when it comes to accuracy issues. A complete rifle with mounted optic is a system. It must be set up correctly with all the right components working in harmony. If one variable is out, you’ll likely see it rear its ugly head in the form of inconsistent impacts down range. Tune in for troubleshooting tips to make sure your rifle and you are set up for...