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
380: From Iraq & Afghanistan To Hunting South Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:04
Army veteran Matt Tyree was the lucky veteran selected for the plains game safari I gave away as part of my 5 year Big Game Hunting Podcast Anniversary with my South African PH's Johan and Kobus. Matt literally just retu…
379: Croc & Spotted Hyena In Mozambique With Mike Arnold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:33
Mike Arnold is back on the show to discuss his safari in Mozambique for spotted hyena and crocodile. Mike shares the story of that hunt (where, among other things, he took a monster crocodile) along with his new book: Br…
377: Charging Buffalo & Kudu In The Snow With Kobus Kok [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:44
I sat down with one of my South African Professional Hunters, Kobus Kok, at the Dallas Safari Club convention and recorded a short interview. Among other things, we discuss how he got started in this line of work along w…
376: Africa Hunting 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:46
Interested in hunting Africa but don't quite know where to start? This is an "Africa Hunting 101" episode aimed at answering many of the basic questions first time hunters have prior to booking a hunt in Africa like: whe…
375: 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm & Ruger Hawkeye vs Safari Magnum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:18
John McAdams shares insights on the 375 H&H vs 9.3x62mm informed by real world data obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, performance spec…
374: Kudu Hunting 101 With Kevin Robertson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:45
Kevin Robertson shares some insights on kudu hunting in this podcast interview, focusing on the kudu biology, where they live, what they eat (and how that affects their behavior), how trophy quality varies from region to…
373: Hunting Africa With Unusual Rounds: 45-70, 50-110 & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:25
My father, Kevin McAdams joins me in this episode to discuss three African safaris where he used classic and indeed unusual rifles and cartridges like 22 Hornet, 33 WCF, 577/450 Martini Henry, 45-70, and 50-110 Wincheste…
372: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything With Who Tee Who [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:25
Adam Wies (aka Who Tee Who on YouTube) 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 Adam and I each…
371: Sierra Bullets With Colby Adamek and Mark Walker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
Colby Adamek and Mark Walker discuss Sierra bullets in this podcast interview, focusing on the history of the company, the various target and hunting bullets they currently offer, the performance specifications and recom…