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
342: How Nosler Bullets Perform Afield With Cable Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
Cable Smith joins me on the show again as we talk about some of his recent experiences hunting with the legendary Nosler Partition and AccuBond along with the Solid Base bullet from their new Whitetail Country line. Spon…
341: Last chance to help me test some ammo! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:56
Today is the last chance to throw your name in the hat to potentially receive some free Nosler Whitetail Country ammunition to test out this fall. To enter the random drawing for the chance to test and evaluate Nosler Wh…
340: The best new rifle of 2024? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:36
Sometimes you just find a rifle that just flat out works: it fits you well, it's not excessively large or heavy, has a nice trigger, it's easy to shoot accurately, it's not finicky and doesn't require an extensive break-…
339: Want to help me test some ammo? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:23
Nosler just sent me a bunch of their new Whitetail Country line of ammunition and I need some help testing and evaluating how it performs afield this fall. Here's how you can help me out and potentially receive some free…
338: 338 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:45
I discuss all of the 33 caliber CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended us…
337: I just punched my moose tag! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:29
I just made it home from an outstanding moose hunt in Colorado with my son! We had an amazing trip and I successfully took a cow Shiras Moose, which was a species I wasn't sure I'd ever get to hunt because those tags are…
336: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything with Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:40
Ron Spomer 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 Ron and I each list our favorite cartridge…
334: 22 ARC Cartridge Profile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
Today, we're talking about Hornady's new 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge (22 ARC), which purports to deliver 22-250 level performance out of an AR-15 platform. In this episode I discuss whether or not Hornady delivers on tha…
333: About That Buffalo Roy Weatherby Shot With A 257 Weatherby... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:41
As I promised you a couple of weeks ago, we're going to talk about the details I've been able to dig up regarding the often repeated story where Roy Weatherby supposedly killed a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby Magnu…