343: Have you ever had a bullet fail on a hunt?

343: Have you ever had a bullet fail on a hunt?

Author: John McAdams November 11, 2024 Duration: 8:15

I have request for your assistance with an upcoming project. I'm planning an episode on December where I discuss so called "bullet failures." I have a couple of examples I have experienced myself I'll share with you in that episode, but I'd also like to do some crowd sourcing on this topic as well and share some noteworthy examples from the audience.

Have you ever had a bullet truly fail you on an animal?

If so, please email me john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com and share the details on what happened.

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

Sponsor: I'm giving away a set of AXIL Trackr electronic ear muffs. This is a brand new in the box set literally identical to what I use at the range and sometimes out hunting. The TRACKR muffs provide hearing protection and hearing enhancement, so you can carry on a conversation with the person next to you at the range or hear the sounds of an approaching deer without exposing your ears to damage from gunshots or other loud noises.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/giveaway to be entered in a random drawing for these muffs. Be sure to confirm your email address if you're asked to do so after you sign up.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 1 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 2 December to receive those muffs. 


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
391: 7mm Backcountry, 277 Sig, & Seekins Precision With Matty Nelson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:59
Matty Nelson, the director of business management for Seekins Precision, joins me on the show to talk about his company their hunting rifles. Of note, Seekins Precision was one of the first companies to pick up both of t…
390: 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:25
John McAdams shares insights on the 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, per…
389: Taurus & Rossi Firearms With Caleb Giddings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:27
Caleb Giddings, the marketing general manager for Taurus holdings, joins me on the show to talk about Taurus and Rossi firearms. We discuss the history of Taurus and Rossi, the details on some of the hunting handguns and…
388: 25 Creedmoor-A Triple Threat Cartridge With Richard Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:19
Field & Stream shooting editor Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 25 Creedmoor. Richard discusses the origins of the 25 Creedmoor, some of his experiences shooting and hu…
386: Hunting Brown & Grizzly Bear With Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:05
Ron Spomer is back on the show to discuss his adventures hunting brown and grizzly bear on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia as well as in Alaska. Ron shares the stories of those hunts (a couple of which are…
385: North Fork Bullets-Africa's Premier Bullets? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:49
North Fork bullets have a stellar reputation for hunting in Africa and are considered by some to be among the best projectiles available for hunting the continent. To that end, North Fork Bullets' technical support speci…
384: 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast Safari Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
As promised, I have a more comprehensive recap of my 2025 African safari hunt with several podcast listeners for you today. I'll talk about that hunt in more detail today and provide some reflections on the results of th…
383: Tracking Buffalo Like Your Life Depends On It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:46
Though I've interviewed plenty of great Professional Hunters over the years, you don't hear from many trackers in podcast interviews for various reasons. That changes in this episode where I sit down with Pheilemon Matho…
382: Live from South Africa! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:41
Join me, the three podcast listeners I just hunted with in Africa, and our entire crew of PHs for an informal "campfire style" discussion of the highlights of our July 2025 safari in South Africa's Free State & Limpopo P…