Vortex Nation Podcast

Mark and Jim surprise attack Ryan Muckenhirn with the 7x64. Wait, that came out wrong. Ryan is OK…. We invite Ryan to chat with us about the popular-in-Europe 7x64, but don’t let him know the topic at hand until we begin recording. That should clear things up. A listener request, this interesting 7mm cartridge will make quick work of most critters. Listen in to get Ryan’s take on it, as well as hear Jim somehow weave in a challenge to all of Europe. Thanks a lot, Jim.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Western tag draws can be convoluted, confusing and downright difficult to navigate. Luckily for hunters, the good folks at Huntin’ Fool dedicate their lives to researching and knowing the intricacies of each states processes – which can change from year to year. Listen in as they cover the different types of draw systems, strategy, and more. From personalized consulting and full-service application to tools like their detailed publication, YouTube channel, podcast, key partnerships, and pool of folks you can contact who previously drew the same tag you hold in your hand, Huntin’ Fool will get you dialed.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Extend your range, increase pellet count, and maximize lethality with TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) turkey loads. This rare-earth metal combined with modern-shotshell design take performance to whatever level is past next level. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? You be the judge.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

In honor of episode 223, we honor the .223, with a full-length cartridge talk. From nearly every conflict since Vietnam, to law enforcement, home defense, competition, prairie dog towns of the west, plinkers, coyote callers, a little big game, and countless other applications, this historic cartridge stands the test of time…Doing serious work along the way. Tune in to listen to Ryan M. talk all about it.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Maximize your shotgun’s pellet-slinging performance by adding a red dot sight. It’s fast, easy, and relatively inexpensive. Mounting solutions, extending effective range, better sight picture, increased accuracy (even from awkward positions), are just a few of the advantages. And if you’re a “one shotgun to do it all” type of person – have no fear. Taking the sight off for your waterfowl and upland pursuits is a snap. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Vortex’s Scott Parks and Tucker Schmidt guide us through the deepest darkest depths of the reloading equation. Annealing. These guys know their reloading stuff and annealing is no exception. What is annealing? How does it work? What’s happing to the metal? When should you anneal? What makes brass so special. Literally a heated topic, they go through the ins, outs, how-to’s and everything else to get you on your way to annealing glory. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Sturgeon spearing is an ultra-unique fishery on Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago system. Longtime outdoor writer, Navy man, Wisconsin native and friend of Vortex, Pat Durkin, spearheads this interesting conversation all about the practice. We cover its roots, spearing tactics, and the sense of community surrounding it that’s larger than the fish themselves…And these fish are pretty big.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

MeatEater’s Steven Rinella and longtime friend of Vortex, joins Mark for a great conversation covering trapping, writing, 10 years of MeatEater and its evolution, getting kids into hunting (coincidentally Steve has a book out - “Outdoor Kids in an Inside World”), and more. Steve’s incites on hunting and life in general, are inspiring and thought provoking. His ability to articulate hunting’s nuances in a meaningful, impactful way, not only to other hunters, but to the mainstream public, is a true talent. Tune in for a fun conversation with the MeatEater himself. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Vortex’s Jimmy Jordan tags in with Ryan Muckenhirn for this cartridge talk on the extremely capable 6.5 Swedish. Jimmy was the first person to bring this cartridge to my, (Mark B’s) attention many years ago…And is the only person I know to own one. Frankly, when he mentioned it, I thought it sounded French – which doesn’t make sese at all. What does make sense are its numbers on paper, its performance on game in the field, and rabid following seemingly everywhere but the US – possibly because we just weren’t ready for metric 6.5’s back then. But we are today. Listen in to hear all about this fine example of European cartridge engineering.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

The U.S. Army Selected Vortex® to provide its Next Generation Squad Weapon - Fire Control Optic (NGSW-FC). But what is an NGSW-FC? What is Vortex’s new scope replacing? What weapons will it ultimately sit on? What features/capabilities does it have? What is Active Reticle™? What is Intra-Soldier Wireless? How do the features work? With this much tech built in, is it durable? How was it tested? Is it easy to use? Where will the scope be manufactured? What are the overall implications of our nation’s warfighters having this technology in their hands? Alexander Lewis from Vortex’s secret-squirrel sector answers these questions and more (as much as he is allowed by law). Listen in to get the scoop on this revolutionary smart scope!As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

The team takes 10-ish minutes to chat hunting rifle slings – traditional, modern, and pack-integrated systems. A sling can be one of the best additions to any big game rifle setup. Slings keep your hands free when navigating difficult terrain, hold the rifle to your back while riding a bike on logging road systems, keep your barrel pointed in a safe direction around others, provide stability for offhand shots and more. If you can’t tell, we sling their praises.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Magnify red dot sight performance with the Micro6X. Simple, fast, effective, this optic increases effective range and enhances versatility. Is it right for you?As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Carbine slings - accessory or required equipment? Instructor Pete from Vortex EDGE makes his point on two-point slings, and why you need one on your Carbine. If you haven’t been using one, you will after this podcast. There’s just no down-side.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Long-range shooters rejoice, the Razor® HD Gen III 6-36x56 sets a new alpha-class standard in optical and mechanical performance. The result – greater long-range capability across the vast spectrum of shooting disciplines. Is this a bold claim? Yes. But when you have product development team member, accomplished long-range shooter, and quite possibly the pickiest/most critical person we know saying this – our very own Scott Parks – we think you’ll agree. Tune in to get the inside scoop and see if it’s the scope you’ve been waiting for.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

In our greatest “ish” ever, this 10-minute talk goes long, way long. But that’s ok, because we’re talking 10 days of sheep kit with in-house sheep guide Paul Neess. We unpack this topic by unpacking Paul’s pack. From soup to nuts – literally – we run through Paul’s kit piece by piece.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

You bought a pistol. Now what? Good question. You’re not alone. Millions of people are in your exact shoes. We tap into knowledge well of the professionals at Vortex edge to get their take on next steps to make your pistol journey, safe, practical and productive.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Cold feet can ruin a hunt faster than you can say numb toes. Mark and Erik chat footwear options and techniques you can use to keep feet comfortable - and you on stand. Boot styles, to auxiliary warmers, and few things we’re considering experimenting with, tune in for simple tips to keep your feet in the game.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

Simple yet complex, dirtbag yet refined, MeatEater’s Ryan Callaghan is a proverbial onion of interesting. We pulled him away from chasing game to play a little 20 questions. This man knows the outdoors. When he talks, folks listen. Entertaining, humble, genuine, and just a good dude, we tackle the big issues in this one. From his iconic mustache to the best hunting cartridge and capped off with a little “overrated/underrated, this is a fun one worth a listen.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

The future of the modern warfighter or lead balloon. Few cartridges have received more hype on the front end and fallen into near obscurity than the 6.8 SPC. Is it seeing a well-deserved resurgence in popularity? Tune in to find out.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

This 30-Cal long-range bomber packs a punch and does so very effectively at distance. PRC stands for Precision Rifle Cartridge – and it lives up to its name. Optimized for heavy, high BC bullets, and featuring a big case for plenty of powder, this beauty has the gas to get it done.As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast