351: 22 Creedmoor With Derrick Ratliff Of Horizon Firearms

351: 22 Creedmoor With Derrick Ratliff Of Horizon Firearms

Author: John McAdams December 26, 2024 Duration: 1:27:21

Is the new 22 Creedmoor just the latest fad? Or does it offer significant benefits to hunters compared to more established 22 caliber centerfires like the 22-250 Remington? Today, Derrick Ratliff from Horizon Firearms joins me on the show as we talk about this new hot rod 22 caliber and he shares some insights on why he first started wildcatting the 22 Creedmoor, what uses he thinks the best use cases are for it, what his favorite bullets are for the cartridge, what factory rifle and ammo availability is like right now, and what the future holds for the 22 Creedmoor.

Subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast on YouTube here

Giveaway: Sign up at thebiggamehuntingblog.com/22giveaway/ to be entered in a random drawing for two boxes of 300 Win Mag Nosler Ballistic Tip 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 1 January 2025 to sign up. I will randomly select one lucky listener from all the submissions to receive both boxes. 

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 2 openings remaining for October and November 2025, plus most of 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com to learn more. 

I'm hosting a get together for podcast listeners and past/future clients during the Dallas Safari Club Convention at a conference room in the Hyatt House Atlanta/Downtown 6-10pm on Friday, 10 January 2025. Email me john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com if you'll be attending.

Watch the 22 Creedmoor barrel length video part 1 here and part 2 here

Watch my 22 Creedmoor ballistic gel test here

Check out The Horizon Arms web site here

Follow Horizon Firearms on Instagram here


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
331: A Hair Raising Leopard Hunt In Zimbabwe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:34
Joe Thompson is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series to talk about his hair raising leopard hunt in Zimbabwe last year. As you'll learn here shortly, there was a lot of drama associated with this hunt, especi…
330: Nyala & Bushbuck Hunting With Mike Arnold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:36
Mike Arnold is up next in my ongoing Africa hunting mini-series to talk about bushbuck and nyala. These two species of spiral horned antelope are both magnificent creatures that, as different as they may appear at first…
329: .50, .60, & .70 Caliber Safari Cartridges With Kevin Robertson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:08
In this episode, Kevin Robertson and I cover the most popular really big bore safari cartridges .50 caliber and larger and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended uses in deta…
328: .25 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:39
The "quarter bore" section of the ballistics world doesn't get a lot of love, certainly not when compared to the smaller 6mm, or larger 6.5mm, 270 cal, 7mm, or 30 cal bore diameters. Even so, the various 25 caliber cartr…
327: Taking the 7mm PRC Past 1 Mile At The Bergara Academy! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
I just made it back home from a fantastic couple of days at the Bergara Academy at Queen Mountain Ranch near Evanston, Wyoming. This episode is a short "campfire style" discussion of the highlights of our time up there I…
326: An Introduction To Handloading With Zak May [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:28
Zak May from Reloading Quest is on the show with us today to talk about handloading. We talk about why people should handload, cartridges that are easy to reload for, cartridges that are difficult to reload for, common m…
325: Ozonics Hunting-Are They The Real Deal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:20
Cole Tanner from Ozonics Hunting joins me on the show today to talk about the ozone devices they manufacture and sell to hunters as a way to minimize the chances of game smelling them afield. I know, it sounds too good t…
324: 300 Blackout vs 7.62x39 Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
I have another cartridge comparison for you today where we discuss the 300 Blackout vs 7.62x39mm. These two cartridges are remarkably similar in performance at first glance, but if you dig deeper, you'll see there are so…

«1...678910