428: 5 Guns Every Hunter Should Own

428: 5 Guns Every Hunter Should Own

Author: John McAdams June 18, 2026 Duration: 35:53

If you could only choose 5 guns to hunt with for the rest of your life, what would they be? Join me as I answer that very question as I lay out practical recommendations for a well-rounded five-gun battery that covers everything from small game, birds, and varmints to medium and dangerous big game.

What's your ideal five-gun battery? Drop a comment on YouTube/Spotify or email John at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com

Sponsor: Join the Big Game Hunting Podcast tribe on Patreon for first priority when I answer questions from listeners along with access to all my bonus material at www.patreon.com/biggamehunter 

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Resources

The Only 3 Cartridges You Actually Need for Hunting

5 Forgotten Classic Cartridges Making A Comeback In 2026


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: 50

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
440: 243 Winchester vs 6mm Remington With Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:59
John McAdams sits down with Ron Spomer to talk about the .243 Winchester and the 6mm Remington (originally the .244 Remington). Both are light recoiling, flat shooting 6mm cartridges introduced in the 1950s and have simi…
438: 416 Rigby vs 375 H&H Big Bore Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:48
In this episode of the Big Game Hunting Podcast, I compare two legendary African dangerous game cartridges: the .375 H&H Magnum and the .416 Rigby. I cover the history and design of both rounds, real-world ballistics, re…
435: 45-70 in Africa Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:15
My father and I took a father-son safari to Africa armed with classic lever-action rifles in .45-70 Government — my Marlin 1895 and his Winchester 1886. Despite being an uncommon choice on the Dark Continent, the old .45…
431: True Cost of an Africa Hunt: Elk vs Plains Game Safari [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:02
Is an African safari really as expensive as most hunters think? I break down the real, all-in costs of a guided plains game hunt in South Africa versus a guided rifle elk hunt in Wyoming — using hard numbers from actual…