417: Double Rifles, 500 NE & Elephant Charges With Jeff Rann

417: Double Rifles, 500 NE & Elephant Charges With Jeff Rann

Author: John McAdams April 2, 2026 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 it's really like to track big bulls, get in as close as 20–30 yards for precise brain shots, face down real charges, and judge trophy ivory on mature animals while navigating the country's massive and growing elephant population. We also finish with an in-depth discussion on the conservation realities in Botswana, why controlled hunting of bulls plays a vital role, and his favorite double rifles and cartridges—including why the .500 H&H and .577 Holland & Holland remain his go-to choices after decades in the African bush.

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 have a future podcast guest answer one of your questions on the air along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 


Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. 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 just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

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

Resources

Learn more about the Dangerous Game Symposium with Mark Sullivan and Dave Fulson in Las Vegas on 16 May 2026 that I'm attending here.

Subscribe to Jeff's YouTube channel here and his hunting operations in Africa here & at the 777 Ranch here.

Recommended Episodes

 

414: Leopard Mauling To Sudan Bongo Hunts With Robin Hurt

177: Elephant Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson

176: Elephant Conservation With Kevin Robertson


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