393: Best Deer Hunting Ammo For 2025

393: Best Deer Hunting Ammo For 2025

Author: John McAdams October 16, 2025 Duration: 43:04

John McAdams shares three different recommendations for ammunition and bullets for deer hunters to use in 2025 informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifications, and pros and cons of each offerings. Plus, he also shares some details on how those different bullets have performed on game afield.

Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up for my free e-book on the best hunting calibers at to receive the entertaining and informative emails I send out about hunting, firearms, and ballistics every weekday.

Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe for the potential opportunity to suggest future episode topics and also obtain access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

Get Nosler Whitetail Country Ammo Here

Get Barnes Harvest Collection Ammo Here

Get North Fork Semi-Spitzer bonded soft point bullets here

Get North Fork Flat Point bonded soft point bullets here

Get North Fork .348 cal bonded soft point bullets here

In this episode of The Big Game Hunting Podcast, host John McAdams discusses a few recommendations for ammunition and bullets for deer hunters.

John conducts a deep dive on two new factory offerings from Barnes and Nosler that are optimized for good performance on deer sized game that are also available at a more economical price point. He also discusses why deer hunters should consider hunting with North Fork bullets. In each case, he discusses the pros and cons of each choice, compares how these different loads perform in ballistic gel tests, and shares some stories of how they perform on game afield.

John's takeaway? Things are much better on the ammunition front in terms of availability and pricing than was the case just a few years ago. Hunters can now take advantage of discounted pricing on several different loads that offer ideal performance on deer sized game at typical ranges.

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


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
370: 6.5 PRC vs 7mm PRC Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:39
John McAdams shares insights on the 6.5 vs 7mm PRC informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specif…
369: 7mm PRC vs 7mm Rem Mag Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:15
John McAdams shares insights on the 7mm PRC vs 7mm Remington Magnum informed by real world data on obtained at the range and field in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance specifica…
368: 300 H&H: The Original .30 Caliber Magnum With JvB [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:38
Joseph von Benedikt shares some insights on the 300 Holland & Holland Magnum in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the cartridge, its performance specifications, and some fascinating stories involving hun…
367: Aoudad Hunting With Phil Massaro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
Phil Massaro shares insights on hunting aoudad out in west Texas in this podcast interview, focusing on the story of the hunt, bullet terminal performance on auodad, general tips, and equipment recommendations. Sponsor:…
366: Modern Cartridge Design-Why The 6.5 Creedmoor Is Better [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:36
John Snow of Outdoor Life shares insights on modern cartridge design in this podcast interview, explaining why rounds like the 6.5 Creedmoor have a crucial edge. Sponsor: Go to BigGameHuntingPodcast.com/ebook and sign up…
365: 338 Lapua Unleashed with Tyler Freel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:22
Tyler Freel shares insights on hunting big game with the 338 Lapua Magnum in this podcast interview, focusing on terminal performance, favorite loads, and recoil management. Sponsor: Go to https://BigGameHuntingPodcast.c…
364: 2025 Thompson/Center Update With Gregg Ritz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
I have Gregg Ritz on the show with me again today to talk about the latest updates from Thompson/Center. T/C is literally shipping guns out the door right now and Gregg and I discuss the stuff that's currently available,…
363: Bergara Crest Carbon Rifle Review [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
How would you like it if you could find a hunting rifle that shoots accurately without an extensive barrel break-in, is lightweight and easy to carry, contains a bunch of premium features, and comes in at under $2,000? W…
362: 45-70 vs 308 Winchester Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Today we're going to talk about two completely different rounds: the 45-70 Government and the 308 Winchester. Comparing these two cartridges is a great example of how a person who doesn't know any better can get a wildly…
361: Wyoming Horseback Elk Hunt with Hunter McWaters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
I got the chance to sit down with Hunter McWaters from The Hunter's Quest in this episode. We discussed how he got interested in western hunting along with the story of a cool, horseback elk hunt he went on in Wyoming du…