Modern Day Sniper Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Jack Hinson: The Birth of American Guerrilla Warfare | MDS Episode #0127 Jan 02, 2026

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If you care about rifleman-ship, this episode is about more than history. It’s about discipline, limits, ethics, and what happens when skill spreads faster than wisdom.
In this episode:
Why the “old world” of precision shooting felt earned (and why it’s gone)
How YouTube + gear + free ballistic charts created a new kind of risk
Ethical long-range hunting: capability vs. probability vs. consequence
“Flirt with your limitations” in training—stay inside your capabilities in the field
A real look at public land behavior, spectrum ethics, and cultural hunting differences
Jack Hinson: neutrality, occupation, loss, and the birth of a one-man war
Observation as the real foundation of sniping (the part people skip)
Fort Henry / Fort Donelson, Union occupation, guerrilla warfare, and fallout
The importance of primary sources, and why we recommend the book
🔥 Train with Modern Day Sniper
🎯 Join the global rifleman community: https://www.moderndayrifleman.com/
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👉 If you enjoy these history lessons, like, subscribe, and share with a fellow rifleman. Your support helps us keep alive the lineage of the American Rifleman.

Precision & Purpose: A Deep Dive with Sam Carlson of Thunder Beast | MDS Episode #0126 Nov 24, 2025

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Caylen Wojcik sits down with competitive shooter, match director, and Thunder Beast Arms Corp shooter Sam Carlson for a long, thoughtful, and refreshingly transparent discussion about the places where precision rifle shooting, personal growth, trauma, ego, and self-awareness intersect.

What begins as an exploration of ayahuasca, psychedelics, and healing quickly unfolds into a powerful conversation about what it truly means to pursue mastery — not just behind the rifle, but in life.

Sam shares his journey from military service to addiction, recovery, and eventually finding structure, purpose, and accountability through long-range shooting. Caylen discusses the parallels between inner work and marksmanship: intention, presence, humility, and the willingness to face what’s really going on under the hood.

Together, they break down how shooting becomes a feedback loop for identity — revealing your mindset, exposing your blind spots, and sharpening your awareness one trigger press at a time.

The conversation evolves into an in-depth look at the competitive shooting world, match culture, mentorship, and how community becomes a stabilizing force for people rebuilding their lives or searching for their next mission.

From there, Caylen and Sam get technical: recoil science, gas flow, the development of the Thunder Beast Magnus suppressor line, how brake-integrated cans changed the game, spotting your own impacts in hunting, cartridge selection, barrel life, and why tracking your round count matters more than most shooters realize.

Sam also shares the origin of the Barrel Burner app, a tool he and Thunder Beast engineer Curtis developed to track barrel life, brass, components, suppressor maintenance, and overall rifle system data — born directly from real-world needs, not theory.

This is more than a rifle conversation. It’s a human one — about drive, discipline, intention, and the communities that help us stay grounded.

Whether you’re a competitor, hunter, student, instructor, or someone who just loves honest conversations about growth and performance, this episode will leave you thinking long after it’s over.

CONNECT WITH US

Modern Day Sniper
Website – https://www.moderndaysniper.com
MDS Club & Community – https://www.moderndayerifleman.com
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/ModernDaySniper
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/moderndaysniper

Thunder Beast Arms Corp
Website – https://thunderbeastarms.com

Wind, Intuition & the Science of Precision Shooting | MDS Episode #0125 Oct 27, 2025

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Former Marine Scout Sniper and Instructor Owen Mulder joins Caylen Wojcik in the Modern Day Sniper studio for the first time — a conversation that dives deep into the art and science of reading the wind, training intuition, and performing under pressure.
From sniper school ranges to mountain hunts and competition stages, this episode connects the dots between brain science and bullet science — and shows why the best shooters aren’t just technicians… they’re artists with data.
In this episode
Owen’s return to Yakima and the evolution of Modern Day Sniper training grounds
Why wind was once the silent killer of qualification scores — and how better teaching solved it
The 4-step Wind Reading Blueprint: Range → Raw Wind → Working Wind → Apply the Hold
Mirage and perception: how your brain creates illusions (and how to train past them)
Building intuition that replaces math when your adrenaline is spiking
Movers & mountains: how to read compound angles and build visual acuity
Cognitive load, stress, and why the brain switches from thinking to feeling
Tools vs. technology: using Kestrels, Calypso, and wind arrays as teachers — not crutches
Preserving the legacy of the Marine Scout Sniper community for the next generation
Key Takeaway
Wind reading isn’t about guesswork or math — it’s about connection. Learn how to turn raw conditions into intuitive feedback that survives stress, time, and terrain.
“You don’t need more math under stress — you need intuition on demand.” — Owen Mulder
Resources & Links
🎯 Train Smarter with Modern Day Sniper: https://moderndaysniper.com
📘 Wind Reading Blueprint Masterclass: https://wind.moderndaysniper.com
🎧 More Episodes + Community: https://community.moderndaysniper.com
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▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ModernDaySniper
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Snipers of the Revolution: Daniel Morgan & Louis Wetzel | MDS Episode #0124 Sep 20, 2025

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Welcome back to the Modern Day Sniper Podcast. In this history lesson, we close out the life of Louis Wetzel, the infamous frontier rifleman, and dive into the rise of Daniel Morgan, one of the most impactful American riflemen of the Revolutionary War.

From Wetzel’s frontier legend to Morgan’s decisive role at Quebec, Saratoga, and Cowpens, this episode unpacks how early American riflemen reshaped the battlefield through grit, innovation, and precision. Along the way, we connect these stories to the modern sniper community—leadership, autonomy, and the timeless lessons of force multipliers.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

The conclusion of Louis Wetzel’s frontier saga
Daniel Morgan’s rise from bar-fighting teamster to Revolutionary War hero
Morgan’s legendary “Riflemen” and the myths vs. reality of their marksmanship
The battles of Quebec, Saratoga & Cowpens—how snipers shifted the war
Leadership parallels for today’s Marine Scout Snipers, Recon, and SOF
Timeless truths: autonomy, trust, surprise, speed, violence, and precision

This isn’t just history—it’s a blueprint for riflemen. From the Revolution to the modern era, precision shooters have carried the weight of turning points.

Train with Modern Day Sniper Join the global rifleman community: https://www.moderndayrifleman.com Explore digital masterclasses:https://www.moderndaysniper.com/online-training
If you enjoy these history lessons, like, subscribe, and share with a fellow rifleman. Your support helps us keep alive the lineage of the American Rifleman.

Modern Marksmanship, Wind Reading & Law Enforcement Sniper Lessons | MDS Episode #0123 Sep 09, 2025

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In this episode of the Modern Day Sniper Podcast, Caylen Wojcik reconnects with competitive shooter Nate Humbard for an unplanned deep dive into the fundamentals of rifle craft. What started as a “History Lesson” recording turned into 60+ minutes of raw shop talk on the realities of marksmanship, recoil management, wind calls, competition prep, and law enforcement sniper training.

We break down:

Why fundamentals and process discipline beat gear every time
The truth about recoil anticipation and how ball-and-dummy drills expose it
Training value of .22 LR vs. centerfire rifles under stress
Wind cone effects, terrain lift, and reading conditions from 800–1,200 yards
Heavy bullets, free bore, and F-Class lessons in precision loading
Law enforcement sniper realities: permissive environments, hides, and decision-making under stress
Why even seasoned shooters need a hard reset in the basics

Nate also shares highlights from his summer match season—rimfire, centerfire, and F-Class—while Caylen unpacks lessons learned from recent classes at Nailspring Ranch, including how shoot houses, trigger-cam AV setups, and diverse terrain make for some of the best training environments in the country.

Next Week: We’re back to the History Lesson series with a spotlight on Daniel Morgan—don’t miss it.

Train with Us (last chances for 2025)

Nailspring Ranch, OR (October): Intro to Long Range + Hunter Skills Clinic (NRL Hunter focused)
Pig River, VA: Intro + Skills Progression
Maricopa County, AZ: Intro + Skills Progression Details & registration: https://www.moderndaysniper.com/event/intro-to-long-range-class-maricopa-az-120625

Coming Soon

Wind Reading Blueprint – our most comprehensive digital masterclass yet Coming Soon!!

Connect with Modern Day Sniper

IG: @moderndaysniper | @caylen8541
Community: Modern Day Rifleman – mindfulness meets marksmanship https://www.moderndayrifleman.com/
Podcast archive & resources

MDS Episode #0122 - How A PRS Champion Trains for Elite Rifle Competition w/ Corson Piper Jun 30, 2025

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In this episode of the Modern Day Sniper Podcast, Caylen Wojcik sits down with Pacific Northwest shooter, craftsman, and all-around salt-of-the-earth human Corson Piper for an honest conversation on performance, pressure, and finding purpose behind the rifle.
The episode opens with a comparison between skydiving and shooting—two crafts where experience compounds quickly when the reps are tight, the focus is sharp, and feedback is immediate. Corson breaks down how the curve steepens when you’re doing eight jumps a day or shooting hundreds of rounds over a few days, and how momentum accelerates mastery.
From there, they get into Corson’s roots: growing up on commercial fishing boats in Homer, Alaska, working on oil rigs by the time he turned 18, and eventually racing motorcycles before immersing himself in the competitive precision rifle world. His blue-collar background and high-stakes life experience shine through in every lesson—whether it’s knowing how to manage fatigue, making fast wind calls, or being brutally honest about your mistakes.
Topics Covered:
How to train like a competitor, not just a shooter
The dangers of practicing only what you’re good at
Why stress inoculation matters—and how to build it
How Corson shot over 12,000 rounds in one season and what he learned
Mental stamina: how to stay in the zone for a 2-minute stage without burning out all day
Why wind calls are less about speed and more about margin and memory
The evolution of PRS and NRL Hunter and how each shape the modern marksman
Ego vs. execution: showing up underprepared and owning your outcomes
The therapeutic side of recoil, focus, and full presence in the shot
Why positional shooting is undervalued and how Corson uses a set of dice to randomize practice
You’ll also hear stories of helmet-smashing motorcycle crashes, broken fingers before big matches, and what it means to shoot for joy—not just trophies. Corson is proof that resilience, repetition, and showing up with intention matter more than any hack or gear upgrade.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just getting started, there’s something in this episode that will hit home. From mindset to mechanics, gear to growth, this one covers it all.
Explore more:
Modern Day Rifleman Network (Free community): www.moderndayrifleman.com
Modern Day Rifleman Advantage (Membership): Access hours of exclusive video training, dry fire drills, and our content archive
Modern Day Sniper Pro (For professional snipers): Mission-relevant training, sniper-specific Q&A sessions, and career support
Leave a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway.
We read every single one. If this episode made you think differently about your training—or your purpose—share it with someone who needs to hear it.

MDS Episode #0121 - Death Wind – The Untold Story of Lewis Wetzel w/ Nate Humbard Jun 12, 2025

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In this second episode of the Modern Day Sniper History Series, Caylen Wojcik sits down with Nate Humbard to explore the raw and riveting life of Lewis Wetzel, also known as Death Wind—a legendary frontiersman, rifleman, and early prototype of what we now call a sniper. From escaping captivity at age 13 with a bullet in his chest, to mastering reloading while running, to single-handedly ambushing war parties with cunning, stealth, and precision—Wetzel's life is a blueprint of frontier warfare and survival.
This episode covers:
The violent context of the Border Wars (1760s–1790s)
Wetzel’s insane escape-and-evasion stories
Fieldcraft, deception, and land navigation as sniper skills
The Pennsylvania Long Rifle and Lewis’s tactics
Why this man was feared by enemies and revered by his people
Ethical nuance and the cost of frontier justice
How his skill set echoes in the modern sniper community
Join our community:
Free Membership: https://www.moderndayrifleman.com
MDS Advantage Program (monthly training & drills): https://www.moderndayrifleman.com/advantage
MDS Pro (for military & LE): https://www.moderndayrifleman.com/pro
Follow us:
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Facebook: Modern Day Sniper
#americanhistory #riflemen #history #moderndayrifleman #moderndaysniper

MDS Episode #0120 - Sniper School to Backcountry Wisdom w/ Chris Camren Jun 04, 2025

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In this raw and real episode, Caylen Wojcik sits down with Marine veteran, hunter, and lifelong student Chris Camren for a raw, honest conversation about the evolution of marksmanship, mentorship, and mindset. From early days in the Corps to navigating the backcountry with sons and students alike, this is a journey through what it means to remain teachable—no matter how far you’ve come.
They dive into:
The legacy and loss of Marine Corps sniper platoons
Lessons from competitive shooting and backcountry hunts
Rite of passage, mentorship, and raising resilient young men
The balance between old-school skill and modern gear
What it means to truly embody the role of a rifleman
This episode is a reminder: Mastery isn’t a destination—it’s a decision to remain a student, for life.
Connect with us:
Website: https://www.moderndaysniper.com
Rifleman Network: https://www.moderndayrifleman.com
Instagram: @moderndaysniper
Podcast: Modern Day Sniper on Spotify, Apple & more
For inquiries: info@moderndaysniper.com
#podcast #moderndayrifleman #marinelife #backcountryhunting

MDS Episode #0119 - Solo Hunting Changed My Life w/ Luke Carrick May 14, 2025

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What happens when solitude meets the backcountry? In this episode, Caylen Wojcik sits down with longtime hunting mentor, guide, and adventure photographer Luke Carrick to talk about the medicine of the mountains, the lessons only hardship can teach, and how solo hunting became a path to healing, grit, and deeper purpose.
We dive into stories from decades in the wilderness—grueling solo trips, sheep hunts in British Columbia, and adventures that pushed limits physically and emotionally. Luke shares how hunting shaped his identity and offered a way through some of life’s hardest seasons.
This episode is for anyone craving real talk about hunting, suffering, and why going deeper into the wild often leads to a deeper connection with yourself.
Topics Include:
Solo hunting as a rite of passage
Lessons from failure, storms, and solitude
Transitioning from state job to self-made guide and photographer
How wild spaces create mental resilience
The backcountry as a mirror for life
Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or someone drawn to the mountains for reasons you can’t quite explain, this conversation will speak to you.
Follow Luke Carrick:
Instagram: @luke_carrick_photography
Website: www.lukecarrickphotography.com
Follow Caylen Wojcik & Modern Day Sniper:
Instagram: @caylen_wojcik @moderndaysniper (link)
Online Training + Courses: www.moderndaysniper.com
Join the Community: www.moderndayrifleman.com

Nation Founded By Riflemen | Modern Day Sniper Podcast Ep.118 Apr 30, 2025

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In this first installment of our historical series, Caylen Wojcik is joined by assistant instructor and lifelong rifleman Nate Humbard for an unfiltered, in-depth conversation tracing the roots of American sniping—from the frontiersmen of the 1700s to the modern-day warrior’s mindset.
They discuss the origins of riflemanship, the powerful role of mentorship, and the timeless warrior values passed down through generations of American marksmen. You’ll hear stories of legendary figures like Lewis Wetzel, Daniel Morgan, Jack Hinson, and Billy Dixon—along with hard-earned wisdom for young men seeking discipline, purpose, and legacy in a world that often overlooks them.
What You’ll Learn:
Why sniping is deeply woven into America’s identity
The sniper’s historical role in shaping key battles
The importance of struggle, self-awareness, and mentorship
What history teaches us about honor, focus, and quiet mastery
How to avoid the “Peter Principle” and align your path with your nature
Why preserving the sniper’s legacy matters—now more than ever
Follow us at
Instagram: @moderndaysniper
Youtube: @Moderndaysniper
Join Our Community Today!
https://www.moderndayrifleman.com

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