Backcountry Hunting Podcast

Mountain Hunting Cartridges, with Ron Spomer May 06, 2022

Show notes

This episode, we're joined by gunwriting legend Ron Spomer. A mountain-country hunter by choice, Ron shares his favorite shooting equipment for hunting gnarly, steep backcountry settings. We talk ultralight rifles, cartridges that suit them, and bullets that are versatile across a spectrum of western big game. Ron hosts a very successful YouTube channel, Ron Spomer Outdoors, and has a podcast as well. Be sure and check them out! Links are below.

ENJOY!

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Here's Ron's website: https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com

Living Off the Land: Supplementing your freeze-dried meals in the backcountry Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

Tired of freeze-dried food after a week in the backcountry? This episode addresses how to go full hunter-gatherer while hunting. With a little forethought, it's easy to take advantage of wild streams full of fish and random encounters with grouse, ptarmigan, or wild turkeys (where take is legal of course).

It goes without saying that savvy backcountry hunters pack seasonings and eat big game, once harvested: Moose ribs over alder-wood coals... Elk kabobs charred over a quick pine fire... or bear meat boiled in it's own fresh-rendered oil.

How about wild blueberries, raspberries, and huckleberries? Not only do these provide much-need healthy carbs while hunting hard in the backcountry, they are effortless to prepare. (Grasp berry, lift arm, insert into mouth.) Plus they can bring a whole new level of palatability to freeze-dried granola-type breakfasts.

This episode address big game meat, game birds, fish, and berries. How to hunt, and how to cook. ENJOY!

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Hunting Cartridges: Precision vs. Authority Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

Is it better to hunt with a sledgehammer? Or a scalpel? This episode explores two vastly different approaches to picking a hunting cartridge.

Precision. In this approach, shot placement matters above all else. Accuracy and high ballistic coefficient are bullet priorities. Terminal performance is secondary. A low-recoiling cartridge is considered key.
Authority. In this approach, a powerful cartridge with a hard-hitting bullet is paramount. Bullet frontal diameter, weight, velocity, expansion, and penetration are key. Accuracy and aerodynamics are important, but bullet performance on impact is more so.

Ideal cartridges, bullets, and scenarios are proposed and discussed for both approaches.

On the other hand... How 'bout the concept of one rifle and cartridge for everything?

How to mate authority and precision
- Boost your cartridge, lower your authority, meet in the middle
- 6.8 Western, 7mm SAUM, .280 Ackley, 7mm Rem Mag
- Bullets that do it all:
  - Barnes LRX
  - Nosler AccuBond
  - Federal Terminal Ascent

Wrap: One man's idea of the ultimate all-around rifle

ENJOY!

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Backcountry Fitness & Injury Recovery with Jordan Voigt Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

Last year, deep in Alaska's Chugach Mountains, guide Jordan Voigt experienced a catastrophic boot failure that left his feet unusable for weeks. This episode, we dig deep into injury recovery and maintaining fitness as we age.

"Old man yoga," daily miles, packing weight, and knowing your own body are critical ingredients to maintaining a backcountry-capable level of fitness into your 60's and 70's. Voigt tells his story, and walks us through the process he used to come back.

Need a teaser? Wearing Crocs and riding horses while hunting played a big part. Passionate hunter that he is, Voigt refused to lay on the couch during hunting season, instead finding alternate ways to hunt and achieve great success in rugged country.

Mental toughness, humility, and patience also play a huge part in successfully hunting the backcountry through middle age and into your later years. Horses—and perhaps even more, Llamas—can be come important assets.

Before wrapping up, we talk sheep and brown bear rifles and cartridges, just because we can.

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How To Shoot Bears, with Tyler Freel Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

Spring is here, and bear season is right around the corner. Alaskan bear-killing expert Tyler Freel joins us to talk about how to properly shoot and cleanly kill bears. Freel details bear anatomy, vitals location and shot placement, tracking and recovering bears, cartridges and bullets for bears, arrows and broadheads for bears, and much more.

Freel hosts the Tundra Talk podcast and is a staff writer for Outdoor Life. An outdoorsman of vast and varied interests, he's shot grizzlies with longbows and recurve bows and stone points—one at just 6 yards. Blackpowder and patched round balls, too. He's guided and hunted much of Alaska, from the Peninsula to the Arctic circle, and has taken many grizzlies and stacks of black bears.

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Optimizing 7mm Performance for Hunting Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

7mm-caliber cartridges are capable of taking any hooved, non-dangerous game in the world—as long as they're paired with the right bullet. This episode takes a deep dive into the 7mm world, from the historic 7x57 Mauser that started it all up through the cutting-edge modern "sevens."

Focus is on how to get the best-possible performance out of your 7mm cartridge, whatever it might be. We use the following criteria:

Intended use (game type and anticipated shot distance)
- Big game. Elk up through moose & bison
- Deer-size game
- Short shots in timber (tough, deep penetrators)
- Long shots (accurate, highly aerodynamic projectiles)
Cartridge capacity (propellant, which equals velocity)
- Three categories of cartridge
- 28 Nosler
- 7mm Rem Mag
- .280 Ackley
- 7mm SAUM
- 7x57 Mauser
- 7mm-08 Rem
Rifling twist rate
- 1:9.5, 1:9, and the oh-so-useful 1:8/1:8.5s
Barrel length
- For maximum velocity
- For use with a suppressor
- Accuracy in short vs. long barrels
Rifle weight
- Pros & cons of rifle weight
Shooter recoil sensitivity
- Maximizing rifle shootability

Final thought: Hunt the world with a 7mm. Confidently.

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Timney Triggers & Deer Bullets with Chris Ellis Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

This episode we welcome back Chris Ellis, trigger savant and self-styled hillbilly bullet tester. We discuss what really makes a great trigger, and why Timney Triggers achieve what the do. Chris walks us through a bit of the history and inspiration behind Timney, details manufacturing processes and dedication to quality, and talks about the vast variety of Timney triggers available for everything from cutting-edge bolt-action hunting rifles to Glocks to Remington 870s.

Chris is a student of bullet performance from way back, so we transition to talking about particularly capable bullets for whitetail deer. Naturally, that leads to bear bullets, elk bullets, and even bullets for American bison.

We wrap up with a discussion of industry trends and Timney's focus on providing the best triggers available for shooters and hunters. ENJOY!

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Survival Guns Part 2: For Fighting Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

This episode explores what characteristics are paramount in a versatile self-defense firearm for survival situations. Based on a worst-case, apocalyptic scenario, it discusses rifles, shotguns, handguns, cartridges, and appropriate ammunition.

SHOW NOTES:

Characteristics of a great survival gun

Reliability
Portable and handy
Firepower
Accuracy
Long-range capability
Cartridge authority
Appropriate bullets
Specific recommended cartridges
Crossover hunting tools
Recommended firearm types and models
Optimism... "Let not your heart be troubled"
Preparedness is peace of mind

ENJOY!

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