Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More! – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, Rob Massa from the Bergara Academy and the R&K Hunting Company in Wyoming joins me on the show to discuss some observations he has made on what cartridges and bullets work and don't work from over 20 years outfitting elk hunts in Wyoming. I first met Rob while attending an event at the Bergara long range shooting Academy in 2024 and I was incredibly impressed both with his knowledge of shooting and hunting as well with the professionalism he ran the Bergara Academy and the R&K Hunting Company with. With that in mind, I decided to bring him on the show to discuss some insights he has developed over the course of over 20 years in this business on effective elk hunting cartridges and bullets.

Sponsor: Get in touch with Rob at The R&K Hunting Company In Wyoming to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. I cannot recommend them highly enough: they have hardworking and friendly guides, comfortable lodging, great food, and fantastic hunting. Plus, 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.

Email me john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you're interested in joining me on the Big Game Hunting Podcast antelope hunt 9-14 October 2026 in Wyoming.

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with elk outfitter Rob Massa to discuss his favorite cartridges and bullets for hunting elk.

Rob shares a few stories of effective terminal performance on elk, how tough elk are to kill, his favorite shot placement on elk, how things have changed with the most popular cartridges and bullets for elk hunting over the course of his career, and much more.

His takeaway? There are lots of things that will work on elk, but certain cartridges and bullets tend to deliver a mix of performance that delivers the best overall performance.

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Resources

Ep 327: Taking the 7mm PRC Out Past 1 Mile At The Bergara Academy– Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 396: Wyoming Elk Hunt Recap – Episode referenced in podcast

7mm PRC Elk Hunt | R&K Hunting Company Wyoming Elk Hunt – YouTube video referenced in podcast

Learn more about the Bergara Cima CF rifle here

I just made it home from an outstanding elk hunt in Wyoming! Despite some unique struggles, I had an amazing trip and I successfully took a beautiful bull elk. Today's episode is a detailed recap of this hunt, evaluations of some gear I used, and some of the lessons we learned along the way. I also share two exciting announcements near the end.

Check out my video of the hunt here:

7mm PRC Elk Hunt | R&K Hunting Company Wyoming Elk Hunt

Sponsor: Get in touch with Rob at The R&K Hunting Company In Wyoming to book an elk, antelope, or deer hunt. I cannot recommend them highly enough: they have hardworking and friendly guides, comfortable lodging, great food, and fantastic hunting. Plus, 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.

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses his recent elk hunt in Wyoming.

He shares the story of this exciting hunt, an analysis of the gear he used, and also has two special announcements at the end.

His takeaway? John hunted with an outstanding outfitter in Wyoming that surpassed all expectations. Despite some initial struggles, John ended up making an excellent shot and tagging a great bull to wrap up an fantastic hunt.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Resources

See photos showing the terminal performance of those 175gr Speer Imapct bullets on this elk in my latest Patreon post. 

Follow me on Instagram (@thebiggamehunter_) to see photos of this elk

Learn more about the Bergara Cima CF rifle here

Get a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Scope Here

Get an Ultimate Firearm Sling here

Ep 114: 2020 New Mexico Elk Hunt Recap – Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 327: Taking the 7mm PRC Out Past 1 Mile At The Bergara Academy– Episode referenced in podcast

Ep 337: I just punched my moose tag! – Episode referenced in podcast

Larry Weishuhn (aka Mr. Whitetail) is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We're play little game where Larry and I each list our favorite cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost everything in between like mule deer, elk, black bear, etc. The catch is we cannot reuse a cartridge for multiple species. Even so, our discussion provides an interesting glimpse into the thought process he and I each use for selecting cartridges and bullets for hunting different species of game.

Sponsor: Make sure you're signed up for my email list by going to Biggamehuntingpodcast.com/ebook. You'll get my free E-BOOK when you do so and you'll also receive the emails I send out every weekday. If you like The Big Game Hunting Podcast you'll love those emails. 

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams sits down with returning guest Larry Weishuhn.

They discuss Larry's favorite cartridges and bullets for hunting the whole spectrum of big game ranging from whitetail deer up to and including thick-skinned dangerous game like Cape buffalo and elephant. As always, Larry and John share plenty of interesting stories involving various cartridges and animals along the way.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Resources

Learn more about Larry and what he's up to by visiting his web site: LarryWeishuhn.net

Ep 372: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With WHO_TEE_WHO – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 350: Whitetail Hunting Secrets With Larry Weishuhn – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 336: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 315: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Joseph von Benedikt – Episode referenced in interview

Next up in our ongoing Africa hunting mini-series is an interview Axel Kramer, the President of the Namibia Professional Hunting Association (or NAPHA). Axel was kind enough to take a break from his busy schedule to discuss NAPHAs new Age Related Trophy Measuring system they recently implemented in order to incentivize hunters to harvest older animals. We'll discuss why they implemented this new measuring system, the benefits they hope to see from this new system down the line, and we'll also get a little bit into the "nuts and bolts" of the new Age Related Trophy Measuring system and what it means for visiting hunters. 

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).

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you're afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earbuds to purchase a set of the new AXIL XCOR earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide excellent hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you'll also get the best pricing on them in the process through that link.

Learn more about the Namibia Professional Hunting Association here.

Learn more about NAPHA's new Age Related Trophy Measuring System here.

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/napha-art/

In this episode, I go over a few novel taxidermy ideas as well as some other alternatives to taxidermy that can serve some of the same purposes as traditional taxidermy without as many as the downsides of taxidermy. Taxidermy is often a big part of an African safari hunt, so I'm including this episode in my ongoing Africa mini-series. However, a lot of the stuff I talk about in this episode can also apply to hunts elsewhere in the world too.

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).

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you're afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earbuds to purchase a set of the new AXIL XCOR earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide excellent hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you'll also get the best pricing on them in the process through that link.

Episode 294: First African Hunting Safari With Scott Spanton

Episode 264: Logistics of Hunting Africa Part 2 (Taxidermy)

Episode 107: Taxidermy Best Practices

Podcast African Safari Hunt Video

Sample African Safari Hunt Video

Journi App

In this episode, I cover the most popular 9.3mm and 375 caliber CIP and/or SAAMI certified cartridges and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in detail. Most of those cartridges are very popular for hunting Africa, but as you'll learn here shortly, that's not the case with all of them. Indeed, a couple are uniquely American or European hunting cartridges and a couple of others aren't even hunting cartridges at all!

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).

Make sure you protect your hearing during hunting season by wearing ear protection while you're afield. Visit thebiggamehuntingblog.com/earbuds to purchase a set of the new AXIL XCOR earbuds that are comfortable to wear, offer great ear protection, provide excellent hearing enhancement, and also have bluetooth connectivity. Plus, you'll also get the best pricing on them in the process through that link.

Episode 291: 270 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide

Episode 286: 30 Caliber Cartridges-Your Ultimate Guide

Episode 267: 9.3x62mm Mauser Profile

Episode 206: Classic Africa Hunting Cartridges With Kevin Robertson

9.3x62mm Mauser Cartridge Profile

375 H&H Magnum Cartridge Profile

375 Ruger Cartridge Profile

Show notes: https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/podcast/9-3mm-amp-375-caliber/

Most of these cartridges (but especially the 9.3x62, 9.3x74R, 375 H&H, and 375 Ruger) are wonderful for all sorts of hunting, to include an African safari hunt for plains game and/or for cape buffalo hunting. Get in touch with Big Game Hunting Adventures (be sure to mention you're a podcast listener) if you have a 9.3 or a 375 you'd like to take on a hunt in Africa!

Though it is well over a century old, does not possess eye popping ballistics, the 404 Jeffery was massively popular among the most serious African big game hunters for much of the 20th Century and still maintains an almost cult-like following among a certain segments of the hunting community to this day. I'll tell you exactly why that's the case in this episode where I discuss the history as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the 404 Jeffery in detail. I also provide some information on how the 404 Jeffery compares to two other popular and capable dangerous game rifles cartridges in the 375 H&H Magnum and the 416 Rigby to give you an idea of what sort of performance you can expect from the cartridge and so you can decide if it best fits your needs as a hunter.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Stop by and say hello to Kobus, Christian, and I (2 of my African Professional Hunters) at the Bridge Bar in the Renaissance Nashville Hotel after the Safari Club International convention 7-9pm on Thursday, 1 February & Friday, 2 February. I have a couple of really cool pieces of Big Game Hunting Podcast swag I will give to the first 5 podcast listeners who come by! Email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you'll be joining us.

Address is: 611 Commerce St, Nashville, TN 37203 

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. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for a special bonus!

The 404 Jeffery is a wonderful cartridge for all sorts of hunting, to include an African safari for plains game and especially for cape buffalo hunting. Get in touch with Big Game Hunting Adventures (be sure to mention you're a podcast listener) if you have a 404 you'd like to take on a hunt in Africa!

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).

404 Jeffery: Africa's Unsung Dangerous Game Caliber

375 H&H Magnum: Ultimate Guide

416 Rigby: A Classic African Big Game Cartridge

6.8 Western: Guide to Winchester & Browning's New Cartridge

I'm back home from a quick trip up to Las Vegas for the 2024 SHOT show and put together a quick bonus episode for you that will hit some of the highlights of the show along with some of the more notable new products as well as updates and/or expansions to existing product lines announced there. Not a lot of earth shattering news this year, but there were still a couple of pretty cool developments that came out of the show.

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

Stop by and say hello to Kobus, Christian, and I (2 of my African Professional Hunters) at the Bridge Bar in the Renaissance Nashville Hotel after the Safari Club International convention 7-9pm on Thursday, 1 February & Friday, 2 February. I have a couple of really cool pieces of Big Game Hunting Podcast swag I will give to the first 5 podcast listeners who come by! Email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you'll be joining us.

Address is: 611 Commerce St, Nashville, TN 37203 

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. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for a special bonus!

Scott Spanton is a long-time podcast listener from Australia and he has hunted in South Africa Big Game Hunting Adventures twice: once in April of 2022 and once in October of 2023. For that reason, Scott has a unique perspective on what it's like hunting very early in the hunting season vs very late in the hunting season. Plus, he used rifles in 7mm Rem Mag and 300 WSM on these hunts and can share some personal experiences on how those two cartridges worked over there. We also talk about a few lessons Scott learned along the way and share some of the more memorable aspects of each hunt.

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. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for a special bonus!

Learn more cartridges and ammunition that are best suited for hunting various species of African plains game.

How to fill out the SAPS 520 form (which you'll need to do if you're hunting or transiting South Africa and bringing a rifle)

Resources

Follow my account (@thebiggamehunter_) and the Big Game Hunting Adventures account (@biggamehuntingadventures) on Instagram to see the photo of Scott's waterbuck.

We're kicking off our 2024 Africa mini-series this week and we have the perfect guest to do just that: Phil Massaro is back on the show with us today to talk about an intense leopard hunt he did back in 2023 with Tanya Blake Safaris in Zimbabwe.

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).

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. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com. Make sure you say you heard about Big Game Hunting Adventures through The Big Game Hunting Podcast for a special bonus!

Phil used a Leupold VX-3HD scope on this hunt, which is one of my best hunting scope recommendations.

Resources

Tanya Blake Safaris Instagram & Web Site

PhilMassaro.com – Phil's Web Site, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter Pages

The American Hunter & Gun Digest

Todd Ramirez Custom Rifles

Ep 267: 9.3x62mm Mauser Profile

9.3x62mm Mauser: Your Ultimate Guide 

Ep 180: Double Rifles With Phil Massaro

Ep 158: Leopard Hunting Using Hounds With Gavin Lipjes

Ep 157: Africa Hunting Expectations Part 2 With Phil Massaro

Ep 154: Leopard Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

Ep 85: Plains Game Hunting With Phil Massaro

Ep 75: Big Bore Rifles With Phil Massaro