401: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann

401: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Richard Mann

Author: John McAdams December 11, 2025 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 cartridge and bullet for hunting specific species of game ranging from coues whitetail all the way up to thick skinned species of African game like cape buffalo and elephant and almost everything in between like mule deer, elk, black bear, etc. The catch is we cannot reuse a cartridge for multiple species. Even so, our discussion provides an interesting glimpse into the thought process he and I each use for selecting cartridges and bullets for hunting different species of game.

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Resources

Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter – Richard Mann's book referenced in this podcast

Learn more about Richard by supporting him on Substack: Empty Cases Substack

Ep 388: 25 Creedmoor-A Triple Threat Cartridge With Richard Mann – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 387: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Larry Weishuhn – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 372: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With WHO_TEE_WHO – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 336: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Ron Spomer – Episode referenced in interview

Ep 315: Best Caliber For Hunting Darn Near Anything With Joseph von Benedikt – Episode referenced in interview


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
419: 257 Weatherby RPM With Richard Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:50
Field & Stream shooting editor and 25 caliber aficionado Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 257 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum. Richard discusses the origins of the 2…
417: Double Rifles, 500 NE & Elephant Charges With Jeff Rann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:26
Jeff Rann, one of Africa's most legendary professional hunters with nearly 50 years guiding dangerous game, joins me on the podcast to share his incredible stories of hunting elephant in Botswana. He takes us inside what…
416: 416 Caliber Cartridges With Terry Wieland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:24
Gunwriter Terry Wieland joins me on the show as we discuss his thoughts on the various .416 caliber cartridges: the 416 Rigby, the 416 Remington Magnum the 416 Weatherby Magnum, the 416 Ruger, and even the 416 Hoffman an…
415: 10 Best African Safari Book Recommendations For Hunters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:24
Today, I'm unveiling my definitive list of what I think are the 10 greatest African hunting books ever written. This list of African safari book recommendations includes works from people like Hemingway, Roosevelt, Ruark…
414: Leopard Mauling To Sudan Bongo Hunts with Robin Hurt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:14
Legendary Professional Hunter Robin Hurt joins me on the show today as we discuss some of his adventures hunting all over Africa like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Zaire, Zambia, and Namibia. As you can imagine from a…
412: Stories From The African Bushveld With Johan Seyffert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
I sat down with Johan Seyffert, one of my South African Professional Hunters, at the 2026 Safari Club International convention and recorded a short interview about some of his more memorable hunts from 2025, some funny a…
411: 458 Win Mag vs 45-70 Govt Cartridge Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:59
Here's how the mighty 458 Winchester Magnum stacks up against the venerable 45-70 Government cartridge, especially with regards to how both perform in Africa. In this episode, we discuss the history, design characteristi…