Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!

John McAdams
  • 4.9 (401)
  • WILDERNESS
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Welcome to The Big Game Hunting Podcast where host John McAdams discusses subjects like caliber comparisons, Africa hunting, terminal ballistics, intense hunting stories, and more – featuring a wide variety of guests from industry experts to listeners of the show from all over the world. No fluff, no baloney, just one serious big game hunter doing his best to learn, grow, and have fun alongside his listeners. New episodes release every Thursday. Join us to learn more about subjects ranging from cape buffalo hunting in Africa to hunting deer, elk, bear, and antelope in North America from internationally recognized experts in their fields. Contact me with your questions or feedback via email at: john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com Or visit the searchable archive of all Big Game Hunting Podcast episodes published since 2019 at https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/

  1. 410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa

    1D AGO

    410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa

    We're talking about the best cartridges for hunting Africa in this episode: plains game, thick-skinned dangerous game, cats, etc. The cartridges I list in this episode are based off the results of surveys I've recently conducted of over 2,000 hunters from all over the world who have hunted Africa. In addition to breaking down those cartridges that are most popular for hunting Africa in general, I also drill down into the most popular ones used by Professional Hunters and in client rifles. I'll also provide a few recommendations for a "1 Gun" or a "2 Gun" safari based on what you're hunting. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! 408 Best Bullets For Hunting Plains Game In Africa 407: New 35 Whelen & 9.3x62mm Rifles From Ruger 375: 9.3×62 vs 375 H&H 458 Winchester Magnum: It Hits Hard On Both Ends! | 458 Win Mag Hunting, Gel Test, & More

    47 min
  2. 409: 49 Years Of African Safaris With Craig Boddington

    FEB 5

    409: 49 Years Of African Safaris With Craig Boddington

    Craig Boddington joins me on the show today as we discuss trends he has observed since his first African hunting safari nearly 49 years ago. Craig and I talk about countries that have opened and closed hunting since his first safari, dramatic changes in the populations of various animals (for better and worse) that have occurred since then, trends he has noticed in various Africa countries in terms of where he'd go to hunt different animals, differences in availability of ammunition loaded with different bullets and for different cartridges, and even how hunting safaris are conducted differently today vs the 1970s. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook 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. Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Get copies of 50 Great Stalks, Tracks Across Africa, or one of Craig's many other books on Amazon here (affiliate link, commissions earned). Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

    1h 13m
  3. 408: Best Bullets For Hunting Plains Game In Africa

    JAN 29

    408: Best Bullets For Hunting Plains Game In Africa

    We're talking about the best bullets for hunting plains game in Africa in this episode. I've hunted a lot of plains game with a wide spectrum of bullets, so I'll talk about some of my noteworthy experiences with those different models and provide some recommendations for plains game hunting bullets based on those experiences. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! I'll be at the Safari Club International convention in Nashville 18-21 February with 2 of my African PHs (Johan and Kobus) and we'd love to meet you if you'll be attending the show. We're hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients 6-10pm on Friday, 20 February 2026 at the house we're staying at.                    Pizza and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be provided. Address is: 1116 Spurgeon Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, 37207 Space is limited, so please RSVP at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you plan on attending!        Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  North Fork's Semi-Spitzer and Percussion Point bullets are outstanding choices for hunting plains game in Africa. You can purchase North Fork bullets directly from the North Fork web site, from MidwayUSA, or from our network of other distributors all over the world. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Ep 401: Best Cartridge For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann Ep 349: The Ugly Truth About Bullet Failures 2025 Army Veteran Hunting In South Africa Video Who Tee Who South Africa Hunting Videos 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast South Africa Safari Hunt Black Wildebeest Hunting In South Africa With A 375 Ruger

    1h 29m
  4. 407: New 35 Whelen & 9.3x62mm Rifles From Ruger

    JAN 22

    407: New 35 Whelen & 9.3x62mm Rifles From Ruger

    Lipsey's and Ruger have teamed up to release a couple of new Hawkeye and No. 1 rifles in 35 Whelen and 9.3×62. Those are outstanding rifles (especially in 9.3x62mm) for hunting the whole spectrum of game ranging from whitetail adeer and feral hogs up to cape buffalo and elephant in Africa. Jason Cloessner from Lipsey's joins me on the show today to discuss these new rifles in detail. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! I'll be at the Safari Club International convention in Nashville 18-21 February with 2 of my African PHs (Johan and Kobus) and we'd love to meet you if you'll be attending the show. We're hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients 6-10pm on Friday, 20 February 2026 at the house we're staying at.                    Pizza and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be provided. Address is: 1116 Spurgeon Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee, 37207 Space is limited, so please RSVP at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you plan on attending!        Resources Learn more about what's new from Lipsey's at their web site and their YouTube channel.

    1h 1m
  5. 406: Gemsbok Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

    JAN 15

    406: Gemsbok Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

    Kevin Robertson shares some insights on gemsbok hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on gemsbok biology, where they live, what they eat (and how that affects their behavior), how trophy quality varies from region to region, and some fascinating stories involving gemsbok hunting in Africa. Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  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). Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Below are links to Kevin Robertson'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 Ep 329: .50, .60, & .70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson Ep 357: Kevin Robertson's Two Near Death Experiences From Sable Ep 374: Kudu Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

    1h 11m
  6. 405: 405 Winchester-Roosevelt's Medicine Gun For Lions

    JAN 8

    405: 405 Winchester-Roosevelt's Medicine Gun For Lions

    We're talking about the 405 Winchester today, which is President Theodore Roosevelt's legendary medicine gun for lions. To this day, that statement remains one of the most effective presidential endorsements of any product ever. We will discuss more details of how that cartridge performed for Theodore Roosevelt in Africa, plus I'll also cover the history and performance specs of the cartridge, it's strengths and limitations, some other hunting stories involving it, and some recommendations on the best use cases for the round.  Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! North Fork produces several projectiles that are outstanding choices for the 405 Winchester that take the performance of the cartridge to the next level. You can purchase North Fork bullets in the .411 and .413 bore diameters (as well as many others: .308, .338, .375 caliber, etc.) directly from the North Fork web site, from MidwayUSA, or from our network of other distributors all over the world. Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

    47 min
  7. 404: 404 Jeffery With Phil Massaro

    JAN 1

    404: 404 Jeffery With Phil Massaro

    Phil Massaro shares some insights on the 404 Jeffery in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the cartridge, its performance specifications, and some fascinating stories about his hunts equipped with the 404 on game like black bear, water buffalo, cape buffalo, and elephant. Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter  Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus! Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically! Resources Follow Phil on Instagram @philmassaro Ep 74: Big Bore Rifles & Hunting Dangerous Game With Phil Massaro Ep 85: Phil Massaro On Hunting Plains Game In Africa Ep 157: Africa Hunting Expectations With Phil Massaro Ep 180: Double Rifles With Phil Massaro Ep 331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe  Ep 367: Auodad Hunting With Phil Massaro

    1h 10m
  8. 403: Muzzleloader Elk In Arizona With Andrew Marlin

    12/22/2025

    403: Muzzleloader Elk In Arizona With Andrew Marlin

    I got the chance to sit down with Andrew Marlin from The Dove Guy podcast in this episode and he shares the story of his successful, muzzleloader self-guided elk hunt in Arizona this year. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook 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. Get in touch with Grant McCune of Zona Guides to book an elk, antelope, deer, or bear hunt in Arizona. zonaguides.az@gmail.com (928) 713-3412 Get in touch with Rob Massa at The R&K Hunting Company In Wyoming to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. They can also help you get a tag with little or no points for those species. Visit their web site or call Rob at (435) 979-1497 to learn more. Resources Follow Andrew on Instagram and check out The Dove Guy Podcast on Apple and Spotify

    56 min
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out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Big Game Hunting Podcast where host John McAdams discusses subjects like caliber comparisons, Africa hunting, terminal ballistics, intense hunting stories, and more – featuring a wide variety of guests from industry experts to listeners of the show from all over the world. No fluff, no baloney, just one serious big game hunter doing his best to learn, grow, and have fun alongside his listeners. New episodes release every Thursday. Join us to learn more about subjects ranging from cape buffalo hunting in Africa to hunting deer, elk, bear, and antelope in North America from internationally recognized experts in their fields. Contact me with your questions or feedback via email at: john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com Or visit the searchable archive of all Big Game Hunting Podcast episodes published since 2019 at https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/

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