Vortex Nation Podcast

Originally developed during the now expired 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, the Hi-Point Carbine gets no respect. It looks goofy and cool at the same time. It has some interesting idiosyncrasies. When it comes to fit and finish, this thing is questionable at best. Yet, we secretly love it. Tune in to hear the high points of the often maligned, Hi-Point Carbine.

The gang’s back at it under the influence of the annual time change. The most overrated deer cartridge, to holiday decorating — questions are asked, answers given, meatballs debated, and a winner crowned. Can Mark come out on top two times in a row? Watch to find out.

Access locally and on out-of-state hunts can be the most challenging logistic. Without a place to go, you’re dead in the water. LandTrust is the Airbnb of hunting access. Select opportunities even have accommodations built in. With fishing and farm experiences as well, there may just be something for everyone. Nic De Castro from LandTrust joins Mark Boardman to talk about their model and what may be the path to your next outdoor experience.

Joel Turner joins Mark Boardman to discuss the system he’s developed to help archers and bowhunters shoot with control. The stress of competition, the stress of a big buck finally in range, or even shooting in front of others changes things dramatically. His method is fascinating and effective. The result — putting arrows where you want under pressure. Joel's model for success applies to other activities and areas of our lives as well. Tune in to shoot better and more.

On a backpack hunt, what you don’t take is as important as what you do. Every item comes with consequence. Bring it and you have it — along with the weight penalty it bears. Don’t bring it and go without something you may need. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat through items left behind on Mark’s alpine bear hunt, whether it was the right call, and the aggregate weight he saved.

Get pumped up for this podcast all about pump rifles. Forgotten by many and preferred by most in some regions, the slide-action centerfire is unique and effective. Nowadays, there aren’t many being made. Will they ever make a comeback? For nostalgia-sake and those living in regions where this style of rifle shines, we hope so. Tune in for this ode to the pump gun.

Perhaps no cartridge receives as much love or hate as the 6.5 Creedmoor. In this episode, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn and Jimmy’s proxy (a stuffed pigeon) focus on the hate by analyzing 6.5 Creedmoor memes. Tune in for a fun, lighthearted conversation compliments of the all-mighty internet.

Dale Veneklasen and Brian Soliday join Mark Boardman and Brittani Owens to talk about the Vortex Believe in Heroes program, the Rocky Mountain Heroes Foundation, Dale’s impressive military career, his history of serving others, and being selected to go to the Armed Forces Bowl. Tune in to hear from/about two incredible people and learn how you can nominate your hero so they can get their opportunity to go to this year’s Armed Forces Bowl.

We wait all year for the whitetail rut. If you’re entering the home stretch with an unpunched tag, anxiety can be at an all-time high. Good news, Slingin' Rik is back with some last-minute rut tips to help you bring that big whitetail buck to bag. Don’t lose hope! This can be the best time to make your whitetail dreams come true!

Knox Williams from the American Suppressor Association (ASA) drops in to give us a rundown on the organization and the important work they are doing. As hunters and shooters, we are reaping the benefits. Tune in for an update on suppressor-related issues and positive movement.

Shots are fired, feelings are bruised, awkward passes are made at an old woman, and the guys receive a stuffed pigeon with a special meatball message. Does Mark FINALLY break his long-standing losing streak? Does Jim score the rounds impartially? Do things get weird like they normally do? Watch to find out.

The Remington CORE-LOKT has been knocking big game down since 1939. Revolutionary at its inception, this bullet set a standard in projectile performance. Today, it is the “everyman’s” get-it-done option. Value and performance packed, it simply delivers. Listen as Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn give high praise to this iconic bullet that will no doubt see considerable action yet again this fall.

Late October is not only an exciting time to hunt whitetails but can be the absolute best time to kill the big buck you are after. Vortex’s Slingin' Rik is back to chat late October whitetail tactics. Reading sign, calling, decoys, scents, weather patterns, terrain, and public vs private strategies — we cover it all. If you hunt whitetails, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Hits like a 12, carries like a 20. The 16 gauge may be the perfect all-around solution for any shotgunning endeavor. So why isn’t it more popular? Should it be? Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat about this often neglected but incredibly effective option.

Bullet stability: What is it? You ever thought about it? Why does it matter? Should you be thinking about it? How is it best achieved? Are there myths that need busting? Hornady’s ballistician extraordinaire and so much more, Jayden Quinlan, joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn to get us all learned up on bullet stability.

If more is better, the .280 Remington must certainly outshine the venerable .270. Nope. Does this mean the .280 Remington can’t take down big game with gusto? Nope. Does the .280 Remington do anything more established cartridges don’t? Nope. By the numbers, it’s a heck of a cartridge. Alas, it is a lead balloon. Tune in to hear about this fine cartridge doomed from the start.

Spartan Precision — intelligent, ultralight, practical, fast, versatile, and adaptive rifle support. Rob Gearing, founder of Spartan Precision, joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn for an entertaining and informative podcast detailing the Spartan Precision story and their products. Getting steady in the heat of the moment is critical for executing any rifle shot. Spartan Precision may be your solution to that problem.

This spotting scope is soon to be one of your favorite optics. Listen as Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn profess what they love about this compact, lightweight, and incredibly capable spotter.

Lone Wolf Custom Gear’s, Cody D’Acquisto, is back to chat mobile whitetail hunting tactics, October bucks, and how his minimalist gear set has changed since our last conversation. If you hunt whitetails, don’t miss this one!

A big pill, a badass name, and…maybe that’s it? Why do we have this cartridge? What was/is it used for? Should it receive the dreaded “lead balloon” status? Decide for yourself as we chat about this curious cartridge born from serious talk yet saw little action.

Testing complete, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn and special guest Reuben Aleckson break down their 6mm ARC terminal test. One factory offering is contrasted with handloads intended to maximize the performance of this petite cartridge in the bolt rifle platform. Listen as they dissect the project, the gel blocks, and Reuben’s field experience shooting deer with it. In certain cases, could a lower impact velocity be advantageous for this cartridge? Tune in to hear it all.

Rock — Paper — Scissors — Spaghetti Shootout. Your favorite series is back for its third and final season! Can Mark Boardman turn the tide against his good friend/Spaghetti Shootout arch enemy Ryan Muckenhirn to pull out a winning season, or will he, in classic form, blow a trivia question he’s known the answer to his entire life due to a deep-seated and not yet understood need for self-sabotage? Will Jimmy Hamilton be biased as ever? What hard-hitting questions will get asked? Tune in to find out.

Silencers live their suppressing lives subjected to extreme conditions to say the least. Like most things, a little maintenance is required for optimal performance. Chase Glenn from SilencerCo joins Mark Boardman and Scott Parks to chat suppressor care and cleaning. It may be simpler than you think.

You get five guns. What are they? One of our listeners asked this very question – so we sat down to answer it. Tune in for four different takes on the perfect five-gun repertoire.

Vortex Edge® Hunter Marksmanship Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Erik Barber, drops by to recap the course. Experienced hunter and crack shot, Erik proves once again there is always something to learn when it comes to hunting and shooting.

The 1911 Stood up for America and its soldiers as a service pistol for nearly 80 years — and still stands today as one of the most capable pistol designs in existence. 1911 enthusiast, expert competitive shooter, amateur historian, and Vortex Mil/LE account manager, Adam Maxwell, joins the crew to chat all about this more than iconic pistol.

Vortex’s Travis Jones is at it again with his 33 Nosler. This thing is an absolute long-range bomber. Lisen to hear about the rifle, cartridge, and impressive ballistics he’s getting out of it!

Riflescopes are often wrongly accused suspects when it comes to accuracy issues. A complete rifle with mounted optic is a system. It must be set up correctly with all the right components working in harmony. If one variable is out, you’ll likely see it rear its ugly head in the form of inconsistent impacts down range. Tune in for troubleshooting tips to make sure your rifle and you are set up for success.

ElkShape’s Dan Staton works hard at everything bowhunting and is never satisfied. This includes his arrow setups. Dan’s “Always be Tinkering” (ABT) attitude is fueled by passion and a perpetual search for optimal bow performance. Tune in to hear about his elk and whitetail arrows at the time of this recording. It’s more than 24 hours later, so they could be different by now.

Thomas Mlsna from Untamed Ambition Joins Mark Boardman and Josh Diederich to talk habitat management and early-season whitetail tactics. Thomas plants high-grade seeds of information throughout the conversation guaranteed to yield results – for you and the critters who call your land home.

Light transmission isn’t one dimensional. Multiple factors play into this important, but often misunderstood attribute of an optic. Rob Morell (Vortex® New Product Development) joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn to shed some light on this subject.

Backcountry hunting expert, Ryan Lampers, talks all about water treatment methods and best practices. From what he used back in the day to the system he uses today; he provides important tips to keep you healthy and hunting.

High-end eyewear that fits your face and the demands of your active hunting, shooting, outdoors, and daily life. Polarized, ballistic-rated, shatter-resistant lenses are at home on the range, on the water, and at your kid’s soccer game. Lenses also cover your tears when at some less-than-ideal obligatory function not doing what you really wish you were. Tune in to hear about the cool tech integrated into these 100% UV blocking sunglasses – get a pair to wear it.

Adam Kraut from the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) joins Mark Boardman and Sawyer Briel to chat SAF, current 2A battles, where the money goes, and the Vortex®/SAF Crafted Impact T-shirt collaboration. When you purchase one these special-edition, limited run, cool-as-heck shirts, you support the Second Amendment Foundation in their mission to foster and defend the 2A and all it stands for.

Remi Warren is one of the most experienced hunters in the world. That experience has led him to develop several hunting mantras that if followed, deliver time and again. Choosing the right approach, to finding your knife when the dirty work is done, Remi gives us hunting words to live by.

Elk Shape’s Dan Staton joins Mark to chat backcountry food and nutrition. They cover stuff they like, their food strategies, and break down Mark’s daily ration. They even find a nutritional hole in Mark’s food game he will want to fill with additional items. The best part about a week of food in the field — the greasy burger you get at the local diner on your way home. Hit play and channel your inner backcountry foodie.

Early season critters taken with antlers shrouded in velvet require special care if the hunter desires to preserve them in their fuzzy form. No easy task considering their delicate nature and often warm daily temps that may accelerate the decomposition process. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn talk through what worked with a nice Sitka blacktail and the two processes they have the most confidence in.

Since 1989, Barnes has been leading the charge in the all-copper bullet arena. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn sit down with Mike Painter and Gregg Sloan in their home state of Utah to chat through their bullets, how they work and more. Is Ryan completely biased toward these projectiles? Yes. For good reason? You decide.

Fast, simple, and effective, using a Vortex® custom yardage-marked turret may be your ticket to extending your effective hunting/shooting distance. Range in yards, dial in yards, and execute the shot. Listen and learn about this great tool. Get one FREE with select riflescopes!

Compact optics are the definition of, “Big things come in small packages.” Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn highlight these optical powerhouses and where they will enhance your hunting/observation game! Don’t be fooled by appearances. Compact optics may provide all the optical performance you need while saving space and weight in the field.

Adam Maxwell and Ryan Muckenhirn are in the house to chat Auxiliary Micro Red Dots along with the pros and cons of common mounting positions. 45-degreee offset or 12 O’clock? At the end of this podcast, you’ll know if you need one and where to stick it.

Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn break down their 2024 budget rifle test and review from top to bottom. No bolt is left unturned as they deep dive into the intricacies of each, what they liked, disliked and were surprised by. Tune in for facts and opinions that may just lead to your next big game boom stick.

Elk Shape’s Dan Staton gets a little salty in this conversation all about hydration and hydration supplements. Water and salt are essential. Dan hits us with some great info along with things we ought to be thinking about to maximize our human performance in the field.

Dan Gates from CRWM (Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management) and his team have been in the trenches battling an anti-hunting agenda fueled by disinformation, big budgets, and emotion. His organization focuses on CO, but if you think your state, the way you hunt, and the critters you chase are somehow safe or exempt — you’re wrong. Listen to Dan, get spun up with the facts, and get in the fight. Issues like what’s going on in Colorado affect us all! Whether you live there, hunt there or even hunt at all – we all benefit from sound, science-based, wildlife management. If that is lost, our heritage, traditions, way of life, preferred food source, and most importantly, the wildlife itself are lost.

Concealed carry to competition and everything between, tune in to hear Vortex’s Chris Urrutia and Liam Ward run through the features, benefits, and applications of the Defender Micro Red Dot series. Tough as nails, there is a Defender to fit your needs.

Real life cowboy, rodeo star, rancher, outfitter, self-reliant, tough as nails, fix anything, honest, hard working and grounded. Mike Barthelmess is a rare breed of man getting rarer by the day. Tune in for a super interesting and fun conversation with some great stories drawn from Mike’s life lived.

Looking for the perfect optic? The Vortex® Optics Finder Tool on vortexoptics.com can help narrow your search. Simple and easy to use, follow along as Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn walk through finding your next piece of glass. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Vortex Edge® Instructor Justin Lipska drops by the studio to drop long-range knowledge bombs. Gear, technique and more, tune in to get insightful tips from a true professional.

The Vortex Nation™ Podcast studio décor is an eclectic mix of random hunting and shooting-related artifacts…And some that are just plain random (like a framed picture of Jason Alexander). Mark Boardman and Jimmy Hamilton give a guided tour, explaining the “why” behind the seemingly arbitrary nature of the items adorning their walls.

Vortex’s Tucker Schmidt and Scott Parks are back with reloading tips and tricks you can take to the bank…the proverbial bank. We are in no way suggesting…never mind. If you’re into reloading, you’ll likely find what they have to say useful. Or you may flat out disagree and take your rage out in the comments. Either way, give this one a listen.

Serious whitetail hunters use optics and use them well. They are integral to their hunt and their success. Long distance scouting to hardwoods glassing, east to west, bow, rifle, and muzzleloader – optics are a difference maker. So, what should a whitetail optics kit look like? Good question. Tune in as we talk optics for North America’s most popular big game animal.

A good set of properly fitting boots is critical to the success of any hunt where your legs are your primary mode of transportation. Raw, seeping, painful, blisters will ruin any hunt fast. Kendall Card and Matt Ericksen from Crispi USA sit down with Mark Boardman at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, providing expert tips to ensure your feet are happy campers in the backcountry.

Vortex’s Scott Hollfelder digs up several AK’s from his backyard, wipes of the Cosmoline, and sits down for a podcast all about his favorite firearm. Tune in for a fun conversation with an AK enthusiast who appreciates the fine attributes of the super cool, super reliable, and historically significant, AK platform.

Pumps, levers, bolt guns, autos, and AR’s. Precision rifles to predators. Big game to biggest game. Military and law enforcement applications – check that box too. The .308 Winchester may not be the best cartridge for everything, but it is certainly the most versatile cartridge for a heck of a lot of things. One rifle to do it all? Look to the good old .308…And yes, it is old, but this thing ages like a fine wine.

Pistol-mounted red dot sights have changed the pistol shooting game. But there are best practices to implement into your shooting regimen to ensure your dot gets on target fast and effective. Chris Urrutia from Vortex Edge® drops by to drop knowledge on this very topic. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

High-level competitive shooter, USPSA Grand Master, and integral to Vortex’s Mil/LE sales team, Adam Maxwell is no stranger to USPSA along with most of the shooting sports disciplines. He, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Mark Boardman talk through how to shoot a USPSA Match. Tune in to up your pistol game on pistol games.

Invest in your most important piece of gear — you! Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of MTNTOUGH, joins Mark Boardman for a marathon of a conversation about hunt-specific training. Even if you’ve let the fitness component slip, there’s still time to positively impact your fitness level before big game seasons kick off — if you start now. Fitness is key to success in the field. Dustin and the tools he offers through MTNTOUGH will get you there.

Bestowing lead-balloon status on the 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner) may have some folks wanting to sling lead at us. If that’s the case, we ask you download to rotten tomatoes. Born from the 8mm Remington Magnum (most certainly a lead balloon), the 7mm STW began life as a wildcat, gained popularity at a rate akin to the velocity it could push bullets, but fell off sharply. Why? Tune in to hear all about this super-fast 7mm. It’s still breathing, but for how long?

The gang is firing on all cylinders today as they break down the category of wheel guns. The good old revolver won the west, and it still wins our hearts over today. Battlefield to bear country, hip to ankle, the revolver has been there and done that. Its practicality and proven performance cannot be denied. Pull the hammer back and press play on this podcast all about revolvers.

USPSA Grand Master, Adam Maxwell, drops in to tell us how to drop and change magazines like a pro. Competition to professional work and self-defense — a fast and efficient mag change will shave points and may save your life. Tune in to hear the process Adam has distilled down through years of dedicated training.

Jerry Miculek’s flight gets diverted, we pick him up in Milwaukee, and BS all the way back to Vortex HQ. Jerry is a national treasure. His shooting ability, knowledge, philosophy on life, and stories are unmatched. A true pleasure to hang with, Jerry is the real deal in every way. Ride along for a fun and informative conversation with Mark Boardman and the legendary Jerry Miculek to, as Jerry would say, “Get some!”

The appendix carry position is one of the most popular — and for good reason. Vortex Edge® instructor Chris Urrutia covers holsters, fit, customizing for ideal pistol position, proper draw and more. If you conceal carry or are thinking about it, this is a good one.

Different critters, terrain, rifles, personal capabilities, tactics and what a person wants to get out of their hunt will dictate the best riflescope for them. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn break down the hunting riflescope category to help hunters select the optimal riflescope for their outdoor adventures.

Ruger 5.7x28 ain’t no math problem — it’s a super cool gun Jimmy brought in for us to check out. The cartridge itself to the form factor of this compact rig, it is sweet for a variety of reasons. Jimmy gives us a rundown including his likes, critiques, and the modifications he made. Check it out with us and decide if you need one too.

Ring and base riflescope mounting solutions are nearly as diverse as the rifles they sit on. The perfect match for your long-range rig might be the worst for your lightweight mountain rifle. In this podcast, we run through the most popular options, detailing their pros, cons, and how they work.

Proverbial S#!T hitting the fan can come in many forms and mean many things. The guys share their thoughts on kits they have put together and what they think should be in their kit. Your region, circumstances, job, and infinite variables can determine the right kit for you. This is an initial discussion likely with a follow up. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Adding lightweight suppressors to hunting rifles is incredibly popular. The upside is so great, hunters are selecting/building rifles specifically around their plan to suppress it. But which model will best suit your needs? Rob Morell from Vortex® Product Development uses his engineering brain to create a spreadsheet of popular models broken down by price, length, weight, and a few other factors. The gang talks through the different attributes they are looking for in a lightweight suppressor, considerations and more. Link to chart: https://indd.adobe.com/view/b0745a4f-1a1a-4b9f-abde-828b1b4ea2f6 As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Do you love archery, bowhunting or both? Mountain Archery Fest is for you. These multifaceted, multi-course, multi-day 3D archery events with hunt-specific flare will get you prepped for the season while having a blast! Family-friendly fun with venues throughout the USA. Brandon Waddell with “MAF” tells us all about it. Use code Vortex24 for 15% off at checkout – the best discount offered!

Barrel fluting — practical, aesthetic, or both? Matt Pederson from Pederson Precision pops into the podcast studio to spit barrel-fluting facts. Matt is an expert rifle builder with extensive barrel production experience. Traditional straight to spiral and more — we cover it all.

The winter of 2023 was hard on the critters of Wyoming and many western states. Ike Eastman and Brandon Mason from the iconic western hunting media company, Eastmans’, give us their take on what happened, the strategies western states took, and things to consider when applying.

Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn gab like hens about the results of their turkey-gauge test. They spin around the topic like strutting Toms in the sun, pecking at it from every angle. Did they pick the best turkey gauge or lay an egg? Tune in as they take a shotgun approach to this age-old debate.

Wisconsin’s elk herd is a success story. This podcast is a success story because of that success story. Father/daughter duo, Izzy and Brian Wink, tell the tale of the great bull 17-year-old Izzy shot and the backstory behind it. Rifle setup and optic selection, to scouting, calling, picking the spot, setting up for the shot using her precision-rifle-shooting experience, and executing in the heat of the moment — Izzy did it all. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Do the turkey decoys you put out change based on time of the season? Renowned wildlife artist and turkey call maker, Dave Constantine, tells us why they should. Dave is responsible for the realism of many of the turkey decoys we set up to lure in that boss tom. He’s studied turkey posture and flock dynamics with incredible scrutiny. Couple that with being a lifelong turkey hunter, and you get knowledge you can take to the bank!

Bullet construction is diverse as the applications we have for them. The team embarks on a world-record length 10MinuteTalk to cover the different styles and how they perform. Tip to boat tail, monolithic to cup-and-core, they discuss the nuances that make up the business end of one of our absolute favorite things — the cartridge.

From boom to bust in some regions and concerns in others, we’ve seen wild turkey populations change dramatically over the years. What factors are impacting the wild turkey? Should declines in states traditionally known as turkey strongholds be a cautionary tale for others — and all who love the wild turkey? Wild turkey researcher and expert, Dr. Mike Chamberlain, gives us the rundown on what’s happening and what we can do.

Special guest, Dr. Mike Chamberlain, a.k.a. Wild Turkey Doc., joins the crew digitally to host turkey trivia. After, Mark and Ryan stake their claim on the cartridge they hate most and the animal they won’t shoot. Who wins the day? For someone, it’s going to be an absolute chip shot.

People often say trust the process. Well, a trust can be an important part of your silencer ownership process. Silencer Shop specializes in everything silencers. Purchasing, to tax stamps, to setting up an NFA trust, Tyler Walters from Silencer Shop joins Mark Boardman and Reuben Aleckson for a succinct, step-by-step rundown. Silencer Shop is an A-Z solution that dramatically minimizes the pain points of silencer ownership. Don’t wait. Enjoy the benefits of a suppressor as soon as possible…which will likely involve a wait.

Cell phones for communication, navigation, photography, and evening entertainment, to headlamps, satellite communicators, and more — we rely on battery-powered devices. They make us efficient, comfortable, and keep us safe. What do they have in common? They need to be charged. Not all batteries/power products are created equal. Garrett Aida, CEO of Dark Energy, gets us learned up on backcountry power, what makes a good battery, best practices for care, runs us through his product suite, and teases a few products we can keep our eyes out for.

You too can prevent muzzy misfires. Guns that load from the front can be inherently finicky and susceptible to environmental factors centerfire rifles shrug off with indifference. That’s part of the reason you generally get a special season. It’s simply harder. Equal parts challenge and frustration, getting your muzzleloader to go bang no matter what takes extra thought and care. And even with that thought and care, “stuff” happens. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat through ways to ensure your muzzleloader performs optimally in the moment of truth.

Clip in for a highly informative arrow podcast with Bryan Broderick of Day Six Gear. Combine 12 lifetimes of putting arrows in critters with an engineering mind and you get a company built around a balanced philosophy of practical performance. Tips to knocks, we cover it all.

Justice prevails for the gun community and The United States of America itself. Pistol braces are back baby. Light, compact, incredibly practical, and no tax stamp required, pistol braces are a great option for shooters of any stature. Their intrinsic form factor makes them the perfect tool for a variety of applications. First guns to truck guns, a pistol brace may be the ideal option for you. To the best of our knowledge, this information is correct at press time. Always confirm laws and regulations as they pertain to you and your jurisdiction.

Back from shooting 9mm and 10mm pistols at charging paper targets, ballistic gel blocks, and bear skulls, Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn have a lot to digest — so they can best prevent being digested by a bear. What pistol did they shoot better? Why? Which round performed better and by how much? Can less be more? Tune in as they dive deeper into their findings.

Vortex’s Golf rangefinders have specific features optimized for the application. But what are those features? Is there crossover with hunt/shoot rangefinders? Tune in to hear why you may need to up your game by adding a new Vortex Golf rangefinder to your golf bag. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Pistols come in all shapes and sizes. But what is the best size for your first pistol? What is the best size for your carry pistol? Are they perhaps the same? Pete Schreier from Vortex Edge® sits down with host Mark Boardman to chat through his full-size-pistol philosophy. What are you packing? Will it change after this podcast? Tune in to find out.

Mark Boardman twists off his Barrel Deresonator, Ryan Muckenhirn twists the truth, and Jimmy Hamilton is along for the ride as they debate the merit of this unique device. The boys go back and forth on its physical appearance and performance — including testimonials to its accuracy-improving potential. Ultimately, they make a plan to test it at the range. Tune in for some barrel-tuning fun.

Red dot sights are the answer to so many firearm-topping needs. Pistol – red dot. AR for close-to-medium engagements – red dot. Shotgun – red dot. Double rifle – red dot. Bolt gun for driven game or dense forest — red dot. Fast, light, compact, and effective, red dots provide the ability to stay target focused for optimal performance down range. Mark Boardman and Adam Maxwell (Vortex Law Enforcement Sales/Competitive Shooter) talk red dots, including an at-press-time new model, until they are blue in the face.

Mark and Ryan stand side-by-side in a head-to-head battle of words and wisdom. Ok, “wisdom” might be a bit strong. From the professional wrestler they would take hunting, to the movie “Leave the World Behind,” and an open-sighted spaghetti-shoot-off at Vortex Edge®, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Don’t be deceived by inflated numbers that look better on paper than in practice. Mike Rosen (Vortex New Product Development) and Liam Ward (Vortex Product Marketing) give us the rundown on battery run time — and why it’s a more useful and concrete measurement.

Back from the range, Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn continue their evaluation of the good old 30-30 Winchester. Uniquely original, a first in its class, and potent deer medicine, is this more-than-century old cartridge all (most) deer hunters need? With bullet-extracting tools in hand, they circle the wagons on the gel blocks and pull projectiles for the rest of the story.

Comfort and comradery to saving your life, the ability to reliably start a fire under any circumstance mother nature can throw at you is imperative. Expert hunter and outdoorsman Remi Warren has started a lot of fires in a wide variety of conditions (all controlled and safely put out). Learn what he’s learned and practice fire starting when it doesn’t count — so it works when it does!

There’s a lot going on and a lot you can do with the EBR-7D reticle, but you need to know how to use it. Vortex Edge® instructor Corey Eliasson drops by to break down the EBR-7D reticle. Extremely well thought out, every feature of this reticle has purpose and meaning. Tune in to hear all about it and decide for yourself.

Fur prices are in the tank. Perfect! There’s never been a better time to hunt raccoons. Populations have boomed, they are plentiful, and these callable critters are fun to hunt. Mark Boardman, Erik Barber, and Ryan Muckenhirn aren’t professional coon hunters, but they share what they know in this podcast and make a pact to chase coons together before the season ends. Additionally, just because you’re not selling fur, doesn’t mean you can’t put it up for personal projects. And if handled/cooked properly to a safe temp of at least a sustained 165°, some folks swear they are pretty dang good on the table. Akin to pork in many ways. Tune in and give it a try yourself. You may even save a turkey nest or two this spring by knocking down a few of these masked, nest-raiding bandits.

If you’ve ever fired a shot, you used gunpowder. This substance is integral to the ultimate function of every firearm and firearm discipline. Hunting, recreational shooting, self-defense, law enforcement, military conflict — gunpowder was there. It shaped our country, kept us alive, and keeps us safe today. But how much thought have you put into this nearly magical substance? Chris Hodgdon from the Hodgdon Powder Company joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn to chat about all things gunpowder.

High-stepping .17’s, your good old .223, the lightning-fast 22-250, or the dog-anchoring .243? Which of these cartridges takes the coyote crown. Or is it another? Just about every cartridge has taken a coyote at one time or another, but what’s the best coyote cartridge and why? Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and in-house coyote connoisseur, Bill Krivanek, sit down to discuss this question. Do you agree with their reasoning? Tune in to find out.

It’s time to go ballistic – GeoBallistics® that is. You can’t shoot long range without an accurate ballistic solution. The GeoBallistics app gives you that solution in an intuitive, easy-to-operate format. Accounts for all shot influencing variables with specific modes and features optimized for your shooting application. Integrates seamlessly with select Vortex products. Tune in if you’re interested in spot-on ballistic information and precision long-range shots.

It’s open season on Mark and Ryan as Jim peppers them with questions. What is the animal we should open a season for? Is there a definitive answer when it comes to the best shotgun for bunny busting? As per usual, there’s a bunch of in-between antics and exchanges you won’t want to miss. Can Mark eke out a win or will Jim gun down his hopes of a victory with the push of a button? Tune in to find out.

Welcome to a #10MinuteTalk about 5 shooting-themed 10-minute talks you should listen to — or listen to again. Pistol lights with Pete to how to shoot a pistol with Jerry Miculek, these podcasts are packed with good tips to make you a better shooter. Oh, and it’s approximately 1 hr. — pretty standard for a #10MinuteTalk.

Varmints, to home defense and military applications, the .223 Remington and .300 AAC Blackout aren’t your typical deer cartridges. But in the right scenario, are they the perfect solution? And if so, which is better? Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn took a couple blasters to the range and shot gel to find out. Here’s the rest of the story.

Judson Jennings and Kendall Card from Camofire, Blackovis, Crispi Boots USA and a host of other outdoors and hunting related entities sit down with Mark, Jimmy and Paul to discuss their history in the outdoor hunting gear and apparel business and the ever-evolving world of hunting from tactics to the gear we wear in the field. Not only do these guys get out and use the very products they sell to the max, but so do their employees, who are always ready to answer calls and e-mails to help fellow hunters and outdoorsmen conquer the backcountry. It can be difficult to get to know the behind-the-scenes workings of any business so customer-focused, so we took this opportunity to get to know two of the very important people behind their operation and their history with the company from the very beginning. On top of that we learn a little about goats and pack llamas, elk hunting from a tree stand and mentoring new western hunters. As always, let us know what you think of the podcast and if you have any ideas for future topics or guests to join us, let us know!