349: The ugly truth about bullet failures

349: The ugly truth about bullet failures

Author: John McAdams December 12, 2024 Duration: 1:40:48

Today, we're going to talk about bullet failures. Bullet failures are a hot topic, especially when they involve certain, very polarizing bullets and/or cartridges. I absolutely believe they do occur, but I think they get blamed unfairly for a lot of wounded and lost game. I can't tell you how many people I've had tell me they made a perfect shot, but the bullet "blew up on the shoulder" and the animal ran off, never to be seen again. Like I said, bullet failures do occur though and I've compiled a giant list of those sorts of stories to share with you in this episode. 

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Watch the video of the Berger bullet gel test I described in this episode here.

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. We have 4 openings remaining for September, October, and November 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or contact me directly at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. 

I'll be at the Dallas Safari Club convention in Atlanta 9-12 January 2025 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 at a conference room in the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown 6-10pm on Friday, 10 January 2025.    

Address is: 431 Marietta Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Pizza and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be provided.

Space is limited, so please RSVP by emailing me john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you plan on attending!

Giveaway: I'm giving away 2 boxes of Federal Fusion ammo for the 308 Winchester.

Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/ammogiveaway to be entered in a random drawing for this ammo. Be sure to confirm your email address if you're asked to do so after you sign up. All citizens or legal permanent residents of the USA who are over the age of 21 and who are not otherwise prohibited form possessing a firearm, and who lives in a state I can ship to is eligible to enter.

You have until 11:59pm central time on 18 December to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions on 19 December to receive both boxes. 


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
410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
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 c…
409: 49 Years Of African Safaris With Craig Boddington [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:47
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…
408: Best Bullets For Hunting Plains Game In Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:47
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 di…
407: New 35 Whelen & 9.3x62mm Rifles From Ruger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:20
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 whi…
406: Gemsbok Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:32
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…
405: 405 Winchester-Roosevelt's Medicine Gun For Lions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:13
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 produ…
404: 404 Jeffery With Phil Massaro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:14
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…
403: Muzzleloader Elk In Arizona With Andrew Marlin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:19
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 BigGameHuntingPo…
402: Worst & Best Creedmoor-22 vs 6mm vs 25 vs 6.5 Creedmoor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:58
Here are my thoughts on the entire Creedmoor family: the 22 Creedmoor, the 6mm Creedmoor, the 25 Creedmoor and the 6.5 Creedmoor. We'll discuss how they stack up next to each other on paper, how they perform afield on ga…
401: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:41
Richard Mann 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 Richard and I each list our favorite cart…