Buckle up, folks! Our guest on this episode is not one to mince words—he has strong opinions forged from decades of experience building custom rifles and using them on hunts around the world. Meet Matt Bettersworth, co-owner of Hill Country Rifles.

Matt breaks down what he believes it takes to cleanly kill a big game animal out at 1,000 yards, gets real in his opinion about using small cartridges on big game animals, and shares a ton of experience-based insight on Federal's new 7mm Backcountry cartridge. Is it accurate? Is it safe? Will it survive? Will it kill the .280 Ackley? Listen in, folks! This was a terrific conversation. ENJOY!

Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon.

We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists.

It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.

VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.swiftbullets.com

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

If you got to pick just one ultimate cartridge for hunting deer, what would it be? Would it be the same for whitetails versus mule deer? Or would you choose a specialized cartridge for each?

This episode we're joined by Colton Heward, managing editor of Petersen's Hunting magazine, and Scott Ergas, digital editor of Petersen's Hunting and RifleShooter magazines. And although some might say "You can kill a deer with anything," we don't take that cop-out route. We dig deep and discuss what makes a truly great deer cartridge. ENJOY!

Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon.

We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists.

It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! They're offering some incredible deals specifically to podcast listeners. Call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504 for details.

VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com

You've dreamed the dream and made the plan. Now, you're about to depart for a big game safari in Africa! How do you prepare properly?

This episode, we sit down with Tate Bradfield, who is about to leave for his first-ever safari—and he's after Cape Buffalo... the legendary Black Death. We talk through his choice of cartridge and rifle, how to shoot well and reload fast and sure under stress, and much more. ENJOY!

Check out our new "recommended outfitters" hunt booking agency! We're super excited about this venture that allows us to share our favorite destinations around the world with our loyal listeners. We'll also be doing hosted hunts each year, which will be available first to our loyal listeners on Patreon.

We have a new advertising partner! Check out Swift Bullets, known and trusted as the best of the best by most African Dangerous Game specialists.

It's Porter's Firearms' 30-year anniversary this month! Listen in for some incredible deals they're offering specifically to podcast listeners, or call Shane Porter at 870-701-0504.

VISIT ALL OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

https://javelinbipod.com

www.swiftbullets.com

Africa's Cape Buffalo, known by those that hunt them as "Black Death," are the most achievable and at the same time most compelling of all dangerous game to pursue.

Hunting Black Death must be done properly, with a good rifle, chambered for a potent cartridge, that's loaded with a premium bullet.

This epside we sit down with Mark Haldane, owner and operator of Zambeze Delta Safaris, who likely has more experience hunting Cape Buffalo than any other PH alive. Mark discusses adequate buffalo cartridges, good buffalo cartridges, and great buffalo cartridges. Perhaps more importantly, Mark states unequivocally what is the best bullet for hunting Cape Buffalo.

Shot placement is crucial on Cape Buffalo, and Mark details exactly where to aim on broadside, quartering, and facing-on bulls, as well as how to follow up your shots... whether it's just an insurance shot as your bull staggers away or facing a charge and maximizing your chances of stopping that bull before he gets to you. Folks, this was one of my all-time favorite conversations. ENJOY!

FRIENDS! We're doing short bonus audio episodes two or three times a week now for our Patreon page. Please join our little Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry, where you'll get access to all our bonus material and—if you wish—can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.swiftbullets.com

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

www.siembidacustomknives.com

https://javelinbipod.com

Why did the Hearing Protection Act fail? Will it ever go through? Was the abolition of the $200 tax stamp on silencers a win for gun owners? Should potential buyers wait until the sunset of the NFA $200 tax occurs at the end of 2025? We answer all these questions and more on this episode of the Backcountry Hunting Podcast. ENJOY!

FRIENDS! Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and—if you like—can contribute a few dollars to help the podcast survive and thrive.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

https://javelinbipod.com

This awesome episode gets below the veneer that is luxurious Africa... Deep into the gritty stories that expose the warm, friendly, but sometimes violent heart of the Dark Continent. We talk favorite areas and species to hunt in Africa, best tools for the task (rifles, cartridges, and bullets), and how to bring an attitude geared for success on safari. Plus, Andy shares his story of an incredible charge by a wounded leopard, which he killed literally as it sprung on him. ENJOY!

FRIENDS! Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry, where you'll get access to all our bonus material and—if you wish—can contribute a few dollars to help us keep the podcast rolling.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

https://javelinbipod.com

Can the rifle you choose for western hunting make or break your hunting success? In this episode, we sit down for a fire-side chat with professional outfitter Tate Bradfield to get his take on top choices for western hunting rifles. We talk through several price tiers, including the $600 to $1,200 range; the $1,200 to $1,800 range; the $1,800 to $2,400 range, and finally, top-tier rifles without cost restraints.

As a bonus, we get Tate's opinion on best bows for archery hunting the West, along with his favorite broadhead models. ENJOY!

FRIENDS! We're publishing short bonus episodes multiple times weekly now on Patreon. Please join the Backcountry Hunting Podcast tribe on www.patreon.com/backcountry where you'll get access to all our bonus material and—if you like—can contribute a few dollars.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

https://javelinbipod.com

This episode was recorded live and raw in Alaska, DIY hunting big black bears in southeast Alaska off the good boat Venturess. Long days, tons of fishing, and tracking wounded bears into thick, treacherous terrain made for an unforgettable adventure! ENJOY!

We're publishing brief Q&A audio episodes twice weekly on www.patreon.com/backcountry now! Join to get access, and if you'd be so kind, please contribute a few dollars to help the podcast stay alive and thrive. Much appreciated! —JvB

VISIT OUR SPONSORS HERE:

www.onxmaps.com

www.silencercentral.com

https://www.portersfirearms.com/

www.timneytriggers.com

www.browning.com

www.leupold.com

www.siembidacustomknives.com

https://javelinbipod.com