410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa

410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa

Author: John McAdams February 12, 2026 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 conducted of over 2,000 hunters from all over the world who have hunted Africa. In addition to breaking down those cartridges that are most popular for hunting Africa in general, I also drill down into the most popular ones used by Professional Hunters and in client rifles. I'll also provide a few recommendations for a "1 Gun" or a "2 Gun" safari based on what you're hunting.

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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…

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