Big Game Hunting Podcast

John McAdams

The Big Game Hunting Podcast will teach you to how to prepare for the big game hunting adventures you’ve always dreamed about. Our host, John McAdams, is an experienced sportsman with decades of experience afield who has successfully hunted big game like whitetail deer, mule deer, blacktail deer, pronghorn antelope, black bear, Rocky Mountain elk, feral hogs, javelina, cape buffalo, kudu, wildebeest, and other species of African plains game in over a dozen different states and countries. In addition to hosting The Big Game Hunting Podcast, John has authored countless hunting articles in prominent hunting publications and is also the founder of The Big Game Hunting Blog. He will guide you down the path of improving your skills as a hunter, teach you how to pick the best hunting rifle for your needs, conduct caliber comparisons (like 6.5 Creedmoor vs 300 Win Mag and 30-06 vs 270 Winchester) to show you how to pick the best hunting caliber for a specific hunting situation, guide you into the world of muzzleloader hunting, share the hard earned knowledge he has earned over the years pursuing game all over the world, and conduct interviews with internationally recognized experts in the hunting community on topics like cape buffalo hunting in Africa and elk hunting in North America. Regardless of whether you’re dreaming about going plains game or cape buffalo hunting on an African hunting safari, on an elk hunting trip in the Rocky Mountains, on a pronghorn antelope hunting adventure on the windswept plains of Wyoming, on a feral hog hunting expedition in Texas, or just learning more about deer hunting in general, then you’ve found the perfect hunting podcast to learn about turning those dreams of hunting adventures into a reality! read less

Our Editor's Take

The Big Game Hunting Podcast is a show that offers advice for hunters of all skill levels. Host John McAdams offers hunting tips. He also shares fascinating hunting stories from his travels across the globe. Beyond his own expertise, John also brings fellow hunters onto the show. These include bowhunting expert Fred Bohm and conservationist Clay Newcomb. John has also interviewed Ryan Lisson, an environmental biologist, about finding public land to hunt on.

As a military veteran and experienced hunter, John is an authority on how to hunt. After serving in the US Army, he decided to share his knowledge. His company, Big Game Hunting Adventures, provides reputable hunting guides. John's goal has always been to give inexperienced hunters the advice they need. He wrote the Insider's Guide to Selecting the Best Caliber for Hunting Almost Anything. Over the years, John has hunted everything from waterfowl to bears to Arizona coues deer. With this podcast, listeners can learn from a master hunter.

Fans of the show enjoy John's simple explanation of advanced hunting topics. He has a friendly tone and doesn't condescend. He often gets frustrated when more experienced hunters refuse to share their knowledge. John created a blog to help beginners avoid this challenge and learn faster. The Big Game Hunting Podcast is a great way to prepare for any type of hunting trip.

Hunting is a skill one never stops perfecting, and this podcast is a useful resource. The Big Game Hunting Podcast offers detailed advice on every aspect of hunting. Listeners may need some tips for choosing a hunting rifle or learning how to start using hounds. Whatever the challenge, John is a professional hunting adviser to turn to. His show is entertaining and unbiased. It's an audio guide for selecting gear and improving the hunting experience.

New episodes of the Big Game Hunting Podcast arrive every Thursday.

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Episodes

345: 7mm Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
Today
345: 7mm Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
I discuss all of the 7mm CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode. As always, I’ll talk about their history, design characteristics, performance specs, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Where appropriate, I’ll also share some personal anecdotes involving these rounds as well as some observations involving various cartridges by noteworthy gun writers as well. Cartridges covered: 7x57, 7x64mm Brenneke, 280 Remington, 280 Ackley Improved, 7mm Weatherby Magnum, 7x61 Sharpe & Hart, 7mm Remington Magnum, 7mm STW, 7mm STE, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08 Remington, 284 Winchester, 7mm WSM, 7 SAUM, 7mm RUM, 28 Nosler, 7mm PRC Learn more about the rounds I discuss in this episode in Ron Spomer's excellent book 7mm Cartridges From Around The World Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises. Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs.  Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Resources Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 338: 338 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast 7mm Mauser: A Classic Hunting Masterpiece - Article referenced in podcast 7mm PRC: Complete Guide To Hornady's New Cartridge - Article referenced in podcast 7-30 Waters: What You Need To Know - Article referenced in podcast 7mm Rem Mag vs 300 Win Mag - Article referenced in podcast 243 vs 7mm-08 vs 308 - Article referenced in podcast 6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm-08 - Article referenced in podcast 270 vs 280 vs 280 AI vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast 30-06 vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast 270 vs 7mm-08 - Article referenced in podcast 270 vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast 6.8 Western vs 28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast 6.8 Western vs 7mm PRC - Article referenced in podcast 7mm PRC vs 28 Nosler vs 7mm Rem Mag - Article referenced in podcast
344: Moose Hunting With A 22 ARC?
1w ago
344: Moose Hunting With A 22 ARC?
Tyler Freel is back on the show today to talk about a recent moose hunt where he cleanly killed a nice bull with the new 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge using his AR-15. I Feel like I owe it to my audience to give them the best and most accurate information possible and sometimes that involves challenging previously held beliefs about what people think you “need” to hunt certain animals. This is one of those episodes. So was one of Tyler’s previous appearances on the show with me in ep 282 where he talks about killing a grizzly bear with the 6.5 Creedmoor. You are of course welcome to disagree with us, all I ask is that you keep an open mind as Tyler and I discuss this hunt in detail. As you’ll discover shortly, the little 22 ARC delivered surprisingly good terminal performance on a big Alaskan bull moose and we discuss why that was the case in great detail today. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Sponsor: I’m giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises. Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you’re asked to do so after you sign up. You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs.  Resources Read Tyler's article on Outdoor Life about his moose hunt here & see the video on YouTube here. Subscribe to Tyler's Tundra Talk Podcast here. Follow Tyler on Instagram @thetylerfreel.
338: 338 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
24-10-2024
338: 338 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide
I discuss all of the 33 caliber CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail.  Cartridges covered: 33 WCF, 333 Jeffery, 338-06 A-Square, 338 Winchester Magnum, 338 Lapua Magnum, 338 Blaser, 8.6 Blackout, 338 Federal, 338 Weatherby RPM, 338 Ruger Compact Magnum, 338 Marlin, 338 Norma, 338 Remington Ultra Magnum, 33 Nosler, 340 Weatherby Magnum, 338-378 Weatherby Magnum, 8.5x55 Blaser, 338 ARC Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates). Resources Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 297: 9.3mm and 375 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 300: 40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 328: 25 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide – Episode referenced in podcast Episode 329: 50, 60, & 70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson – Episode referenced in podcast 300 PRC vs 338 Lapua - Article Referenced In Podcast 338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester - Article Referenced In Podcast 300 Win Mag vs 338 Lapua vs 338 Win Mag - Article Referenced In Podcast
337: I just punched my moose tag!
17-10-2024
337: I just punched my moose tag!
I just made it home from an outstanding moose hunt in Colorado with my son! We had an amazing trip and I successfully took a cow Shiras Moose, which was a species I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to hunt because those tags are just so darn hard to obtain. Not only did I manage to pull a tag, but successfully punched it! Today’s episode is a detailed recap of our hunt, evaluations of some gear we used, and some of the lessons we learned along the way.  Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates). Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material (including video of this hunt and results of the necropsy I did on that moose) at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  You can buy some XCOR ear buds (which are my personal favorite ear protection) here. Resources 7mm PRC: Ultimate Guide To Hornady's New Cartridge – Blog article referenced in podcast Best Hunting Rifle Slings – Blog article referenced in podcast Banish Backcountry Silencer Review – Blog article referenced in podcast Best 7mm PRC Ammo For Hunting – Blog article referenced in podcast 17 Best Rifle Scopes For Hunting – Blog article referenced in podcast Ep 283: 2023 New Mexico Mule Deer Hunt Recap – Podcast referenced in episode
333: About That Buffalo Roy Weatherby Shot With A 257 Weatherby...
19-09-2024
333: About That Buffalo Roy Weatherby Shot With A 257 Weatherby...
As I promised you a couple of weeks ago, we’re going to talk about the details I've been able to dig up regarding the often repeated story where Roy Weatherby supposedly killed a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby Magnum today. Buckle up folks, because this is going to be a good one! Email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you have additional information about Roy Weatherby killing a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby. I'll happily correct the record if I'm wrong about this issue. Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates). Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe and get access to all our bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Resources Ep 328: Complete Guide To 25 Caliber Cartridges Weatherby Podcast Episode #34 On 257 Weatherby Magnum (they start talking about the Guns & Ammo article at the 5:50 mark in that episode) Get a copy of Weatherby: The Man. The Gun. The Legend. here Other sources: Guns & Ammo September 1962 issue, The High Priest of High Velocity by John Lachuk (p46-47) Rifleman in Africa by Wallace Taber, First Edition January 1953 (p47) Assignment Safari by Wallace Taber, 3rd Edition January 1953 (p23) Guns Magazine November 1956 issue, Hunting Elephant With A Deer Rifle by Wallace Taber (p34-36, p51-52)
331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe
05-09-2024
331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe
Joe Thompson is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series to talk about his hair raising leopard hunt in Zimbabwe last year. As you’ll learn here shortly, there was a lot of drama associated with this hunt, especially at the beginning. As Ferris Bueller once said, life comes at you pretty fast and that’s exactly what happened to Joe on this leopard hunt. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunt for November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates). Global Rescue Travel & Medical Evacuation Insurance- I personally always get medical evacuation and travel insurance through Global Rescue for all of my hunts in Africa and I highly recommend you do so as well. Resources Ep 293: Leopard Hunting With Phil Massaro In Zimbabwe  Ep 158: Leopard Hunting With Gavin Lipjes Ep 154: Leopard Hunting With Kevin Robertson
330: Nyala & Bushbuck Hunting With Mike Arnold
29-08-2024
330: Nyala & Bushbuck Hunting With Mike Arnold
Mike Arnold is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series to talk about bushbuck and nyala. These two species of spiral horned antelope are both magnificent creatures that, as different as they may appear at first glance, also share a few surprising similarities. In fact, they also live in some of the same areas and even compete with each other for food (to the detriment of one of them). Mike and I discuss these two species in detail: where they live, what they look like, how they behave, how they’re commonly hunted, and how these antelope species are similar and different from each other, and some of the ongoing observations scientists and PHs are making regarding how one of these species is often coming out on the losing end of how they are competing with each other in certain areas. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunts for October and November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  Email me at that same address with subject line “podcast hunt” if you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Africa podcast hunt 19-28 July 2025. Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates). I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Mike's book, Bringing Back The Lions. Pick up a physical copy, download the Kindle version, or get the audiobook here. Resources Ep 213: Africa's Most Dramatic Conservation Success Story – Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast about the lion reintroduction to Mozambique's Coutada 11. Ep 253: Hunting In Cameroon With Mike Arnold- Mike's previous interview referenced in podcast about the lion reintroduction to Mozambique's Coutada 11. MikeArnoldOutdoors.com – Visit Mike's web site here and read the articles he wrote about bushbuck & nyala
329: .50, .60, & .70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson
22-08-2024
329: .50, .60, & .70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson
In this episode, Kevin Robertson and I cover the most popular really big bore safari cartridges .50 caliber and larger and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. We discuss almost everything from the 500 Nitro all the way up to the 700 Nitro Express in this episode (to include some real retina detaching and clavicle breaking offerings like the 577 T-Rex and the 600 Overkill). Please hit that “SUBSCRIBE” or “FOLLOW” button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true at in South Africa’s Limpopo Province where we offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. Plus, we’re offering our remaining hunts for October and November 2024 at a fantastic discount! Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more.  Email me at that same address with subject line “podcast hunt” if you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Africa podcast hunt 19-28 July 2025. Sponsor: Go to HuntingGuns101.com and Sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday (along with my weekly ammo supply updates). I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Kevin Robertson's books It Shouldn’t Happen and The Perfect Shot II. You will not be disappointed with either book. Get copies of each one on Amazon here (affiliate link, commissions earned). Resources YouTube videos referenced: Ferocious Recoil Of 577 T-Rex On Display David Petzal & Art Alphin Interview About Hannibal Rifle in .577 T-Rex Charging Buffalo Stopped By 500 NE Shot At Close Range Below are links to Kevin's previous appearances on the show: Ep 97: Africa Hunting Bullets 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 103: Africa Hunting Rifles 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 124: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 125: Cape Buffalo Hunting 101 Part 2 With Kevin Robertson Ep 154: Leopard Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 155: Lion Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 176: Elephant Conservation With Kevin Robertson Ep 177: Elephant Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 178: Crocodile Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 179: Hippopotamus Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 205: Hunting Africa With A Lever Action Rifle With Kevin Robertson Ep 206: Classic Africa Hunting Cartridges With Kevin Robertson Ep 207: Hyena Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 250: Africa Hunting Trackers 101 With Kevin Robertson Ep 252: How To Become A Professional Hunter With Kevin Robertson Ep 300: .40 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson