Vortex Nation Podcast

Remi Warren! Ryan Lampers! Early Season Archery Mule Deer! Pretty sure that’s all the description you need to click on this and get to learning. Mark connects with this dream team of Mule Deer hunting and Mule Deer knowledge to pick their brains clean of their lifetime of knowledge on this super cool topic! Mature Mule deer bucks don’t like to make mistakes – but these two gentlemen are masters at exploiting any edge they can get. Where do these deer live? What are they doing? Where are they going once they strip their velvet? All questions that get answered. We cover giving yourself enough time, being patient, wind considerations, stalking tactics, gear details, making your move at the right time, anticipating their next move to make the right move, when to back out, picking your hunt area based on terrain, targeting areas with low deer density, targeting areas with high deer density, finding water what to do if you blow a stalk and more!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

We see a lot of misinformation/confusion on the interwebs about co-witnessing red dots and holographic sights with the iron sights on AR’s or pistols. Are you supposed to line up your red dot with your irons? Can you use your irons to sight in your red dot? What’s the point of co-witnessing in the first place and how important is it really? Rob Morell joins Jimmy and Mark in this episode to debunk some myths we’ve seen about this topic!

It’s about time we talk about survival rifles. What’s the deal with these things? They come in all shapes, sizes and even calibers, but yet never really seem to catch fire. In this episode, Ryan Muckenhirn joins Jimmy and Mark to discuss a bit of the history of survival rifles, many of the different kinds, what cartridge is the best for survival situations, what optic works best on a survival rifle, what the heck are we even preparing to survive in the first place, and much more! 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

Quick-handling repeating guns firing big, heavy, slow-moving (comparatively) bullets have garnered a reputation for being “Brush Busters” for as long as we can remember. But why? Do the bullets these cartridges fire really bust through brush accurately, delivering their heavy payload on target no matter what lay before them. Are bucks in heavy cover with a screen of brush covering their vitals truly unsafe from these magic bullets? Is this concept fact or fiction? Should we do some experimenting ourselves? Let us know in the comments!

Arizona may not be the first state you think of when it comes to fall black bear hunting, but it may be one you want to get on your radar. Mark sits down with Arizona resident and expert hunter Josh Kirchner, to talk about this super cool hunt and all it offers. A beautiful and unique region, over the counter tags, the flexibility to choose your weapon, a season that runs concurrently with several others, and the chance you may come home with some delicious meat – what’s not to like. Josh covers tips, tactics, bear behavior, food sources, and more in this ultra-interesting discussion. And you can start in August - a time when a lot of big game hunters don’t have anything on the docket. Give this one listen and you may just find yourself bearing the heat chasing bears in AZ this fall. Bio:Josh Kirchner is an outdoor writer, photographer, and the voice behind the blog Dialed in Hunter. His blog not only documents his own journey, but provides gear reviews, tips/tactics for western hunting, and encourages other hunters to chase and achieve their goals. Josh is a passionate bowhunter that has been hunting with his family since he was a small boy, and for the last 6 years has been eating, sleeping, and breathing the hunting lifestyle. When he is not chasing elk, deer, bear, and javelina through the diverse Arizona terrain, he is spending time with his wife, two herding dogs, and mischievous cat. Links:Website - http://dialedinhunter.com/Book - https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Backpack-Hunter-Beginners-Backcountry/dp/B085KS1PBV/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-p13n1_0?crid=TTZQ7C06EI6W&cv_ct_cx=becoming+a+backpack+hunter&dchild=1&keywords=becoming+a+backpack+hunter&pd_rd_i=B085KS1PBV&pd_rd_r=fcd5e8ed-5345-4d7a-8af1-fae50bdfe252&pd_rd_w=mmUAH&pd_rd_wg=8gTXW&pf_rd_p=7f71fdcf-aa37-4d97-b40d-864dcfdc13e5&pf_rd_r=WKNV2RYSAPKESQEQKNHW&psc=1&qid=1591987680&sprefix=becoming+a+back%2Caps%2C196&sr=1-1-beb77b32-1078-477f-b152-b09baa1ee7f7Social links:https://www.instagram.com/dialedinhunterhttps://www.facebook.com/dialedinhunterhttps://www.twitter.com/dialedinhunterAs 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

Remi Warren joins Mark and Jimmy once again to discuss solo filming hunts. After we talked with Wyatt and Erik about outdoor photography, we got a number of requests suggesting going into detail around filming hunts - and who better to talk to about this topic than a man who has been filming his own hunts for years professionally. Not only has Remi put out some incredible videos shot entirely on his own with multiple cameras he’s hiked back into the wilderness, but he also feels it’s made him a better hunter along the way. He even seems to miss the camera when he goes on hunts without it. Remi goes into what to expect when trying to film your hunt, what gear he always packs, how he’s able to think ahead of where to put a camera and what to focus it on, as well as many frustrating times an entire setup went bust thanks to dead batteries, technical difficulties, or uncooperative wild 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

We can’t believe it’s been two years of podcasting already! After all this time, it seemed like a good idea to do an episode for you all to get to know our hosts, Jimmy and Mark, a little bit better. This breaks the normal trend of our mostly instructional episodes and focuses solely on having a little fun. Don’t worry – we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled episodes right after this. Here’s to another 2+ years of podcasting!

If you like heart-pounding, edge-of-your seat, ground-based whitetail action like we do – listen to this podcast - then go check out the DVD’s Jared Scheffler/Whitetail Adrenaline has been putting out since 07. Yes I said DVDs’, yes they are still making them and yes you should pick one up and have an old fashioned DVD party with your hunting homeys - complete with snacks and a cold one, or two, or……. we’re not your Mom, do what you want. In this episode, we sit down with Jared to talk about how he left the trees to pursue these cagey for-legged ungulates on his own two feet, the tactics he’s developed over the years, the advantages, stories of the ones that got away, ones that didn’t and a whole lot more.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

Don’t blame yourself, it could be your equipment. Jimmy, Mark and well, pretty much just our beloved Ryan Muckenhirn, talk you through the things you should check on your rifle and in what order to rule out inconsistencies in accuracy. We also cover how and why issues may manifest so you can spot them easier. We’ve all experienced accuracy ghosts – those things that seem unexplainable. You tear your hair out and burn ammo trying to ferret out the culprit and remedy the problem for days and possibly weeks. Maybe even never. You’re not alone. Listen in to this enlightening podcast and you may just regain some sanity and learn how to get that rifle-rig shooting straight.

The title says it all – Does putting a suppressor on the end of your rifle make it inherently less accurate? More accurate? No different at all? Reuben and Adam, our in house “Can Bois” for all things NFA, discuss the many variables and details that go into not only how suppressors work in terms of making your shot quieter, but also how they influence the performance of your rifle. Notice we didn’t say “Hurt” the performance of your rifle – You’ll have to listen to figure out that part!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

Taping the muzzle of your rifle – common practice for some, extreme uncertainty for others. I mean how could sealing the business--end of your rifle not effect accuracy? It has to right? Or does it? Jimmy, Mark and our beloved Ryan “Mucky” Muckenhirn sit down to discuss this very topic. Listen up, it may just save your hunt!

I’ve you’ve been shooting for really any amount of time, chances are you’ve found yourself in the incredibly frustrating situation where you just can’t seem to hit a target no matter what you do. We’ve certainly been there, too! It really doesn’t matter whether it’s at 1,000+ yards or 100 yards, there are so many variables that go into every single shot, it can happen on any rifle or at any distance. Scott Parks and Reuben Aleckson join Jimmy and Mark to discuss, from some pro shooter’s perspectives, all the many reasons you may be having those frustrating misses. Spoiler alert – a great deal of it has nothing to do with the equipment, and everything to do with the shooter. Don’t worry, though – if this is your case, it doesn’t make you a bad shooter – it happens to all of us. Just learn from those situations for the future!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

If you hunt, shoot or compete with an optics-equipped firearm, this could be the most important information you hear or that you can give to your friends to create the most reliable, accurate and repeatable setup possible. “Over-Torqued Rings” is a phrase we’ve mentioned in the past on the podcast and one you may have heard about on the internet from time to time. There’s all kinds of different rings/mounts/specs/ideas/theories out there that can make actually getting the right information on how to properly tighten the rings around your scope tube difficult. While it’s nearly impossible for us to go through every single ring/mount ever created, Jimmy and Mark give a breakdown on the most common ring/mount types we see and not only how to set them up properly, but also why it’s so important that you do. We also talk about scope position in the rings, why the use of thread locker is unnecessary for your ring screws, and a bunch more… *Please note* - When Jimmy discussed the torque sequence for vertically split rings, the “Top first, then bottom” is the specific sequence we recommend for our older “Pro” or “Viper” series of rings, which are unique in and of themselves being that they’re not like other vertically split rings like those from Warne, American Defense, LaRue, etc. For some of those rings/mounts, we will actually recommend doing the bottoms first, to around 25 inch pounds, and then the tops to our recommended 15-18 inch pounds. Like we said in the podcast – there are so many ring/mount types, it’s always worth it to give us a call when mounting up your scope with a non-Vortex ring/mount to get a second opinion before diving in!

What do you do when the tide of a war has changed and suddenly your complicated, pole-vault-pole-length, bolt action rifles are no longer a viable solution to close quarters combat or outfitting a massive fighting force? Get out your sheet metal, some random parts from the hardware store, a few car mufflers and as many hands as you can get to build stuff and start cranking out some submachine guns. Few other categories of firearms come in so many unique shapes, sizes, and chamberings with such incredible stories behind each of their developments. Ryan Muckenhirn joins Jimmy and Mark to discuss everything from the classic Tommy Gun and some other obscure old SMG’s to the more modern designs made famous by James Bond’s and Call of Duty’s on the big screens. If you’re a firearm enthusiast, this one has your name written all over 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

Much to Mark’s delight, Ryan Muckenhirn joins him and Jimmy to discuss the 300 WSM. (Sorry, Texans – there’s a lot of different pronunciations we throw around of “WSM” in this one). All of Jimmy’s joking to poke fun at Mark aside, the 300 WSM is one impressive cartridge and to quote Ryan himself, could be looked at as “The modern day gentleman’s 30-06”. That’s a big claim to make, but could it be true? We talk all about design, performance, comparisons and limitations (Just to bug Mark) in this quick podcast!

The 4-legged critters we chase are often adorned with impressive headgear…..Not like those back-in-the day tooth-straightening torture devises. We’re talking regal, powerful, impressive, elegant headgear made of bone or hair. Some fall off annually to grow back bigger and can be picked up like Easter-egg-like forest treasures. Some have annuli, grow bigger every year and stay with the animal until the day it dies. And the case of the North-American Pronghorn – commonly called just antelope – kind of do both of those things, falling somewhere in the middle. Jimmy, Mark and Ryan M. sit down with a stack of euro mounts to chat through the unique characteristics of horns and antlers. No matter which camp they fall in, one thing is certain, they are just plant cool!

Get the lead out, keep it in….or a little bit of both. Lead in ammunition is a hot topic these days. Seems we can all agree we want to maintain the health and integrity of the environment. And we certainly don’t want to compromise our personal health, our family’s health or anybody who consumes wild game we bring to the table using ammunition containing lead. But what are the real risks? What does the research show us, so we can make the most informed and practical decisions. What would be the economic ramifications if non-lead became the requirement for all ammunition. What would be the performance limitations of certain firearms? These are the questions we ask Nephi Cole from the National shooting Sports foundation. He cites several studies as we chat through what can be a complex and at times controversial topic. So many things need to be taken into consideration. The good news is, products exist so we can all make a personal choice as it relates to the matter. So we have that going for us – which is nice. What’s your opinion on the matter? Do you have any research data that may sway a person’s opinion pendulum - listen in and let us know. 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

If you’re familiar with all four official NATO cartridges, you had to know this one was coming as the grand finale to our NATO cartridges series. The incredible 50 BMG – perhaps sometimes looked at as though made of unicorn horns and leprechaun dust – Ryan Muckenhirn explains the origins of this old beast, what its reasonable capabilities actually are, its many applications, and why you should have a half inch gun in your own safe for when SHTF. You simply can’t miss the one about the biggest of them all.

In this installment of the Vortex Nation Podcast, we sit down with Robbie Kroger and Braxton McCoy to talk about Braxton’s story and the powerful film Robby put together to help tell it. Serving our country, Braxton suffered extreme injuries and was told he may never walk again. He’s battled demons, worked his ass off to overcome challenges difficult to comprehend and put himself in a place most would think impossible. From breaking horses to guiding hunters, the healing process and the book he wrote “The Glass Factory,” tune in for this inciteful, inspirational, and informational conversation. To watch Robbie’s film, head over to the Vortex YouTube channel. As Robbie says, “Everybody has a story to tell.” This is not only a good story, but an important story. Thank you to Braxton and all our Military Personnel for your service and sacrifice.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 this episode, we go over 20 MOA bases (Or really any kind of canted base, for that matter - there are other options besides 20 MOA!) What do they actually do, how do they work, how do they actually affect your scope, why would anyone actually ever need one and what are some times when it could actually be the wrong move for your particular firearm and optic combo. Heck - your gun may already have 20 MOA built into the rail it came with! These types of bases can be a great practical tool when used the right way and in the right context. Check it out and let’s us know whether or not you use a canted base and why!

Ryan Muckenhirn joins Jimmy and Mark to discuss the 7.62x51 NATO, and inevitably, it’s civilian cousin the .308 in this episode from our NATO cartridge series. We talk about what it is, where it came from, what it was used for and out of which firearm platforms along with maybe the idea that there could be some conspiracy theories behind this cartridge? Ryan also compares this cartridge to his Dad, earning it the new nickname in our books as just “Dad”. Listen in to find out why!

Fitness and Mental fitness go hand-in-hand. They can build each other up – or tear each other down. In this episode, we dive into a great conversation with our neighbor to the north and first international guest, Greg McHale, getting into the nitty-gritty of those topics, extreme mountain hunting, professional adventure racing, poisonous plants and more. Greg has no quit and it shows in the stories he tells on this podcast, as well as the hunts he and his team document. Check out Greg’s Bio below for brief glimpse into that which is the Greg. Listen to this podcast for the whole thing. BIOGreg McHale is the host of Greg McHale's Wild Yukon, a hunting television show airing on the Sportsman Channel and available on YouTube and CarbonTV. Greg's background of mountaineering and adventure racing has helped him craft his hard-charging approach to mountain hunting. Living in the Yukon, Greg hunts Dall's Sheep, goats, moose and bison. Using boots, packrafts, a floatplane and snow and all-terrain machines, Greg pushes off the beaten path in search of adventure and the beauty of the wild. Greg is striving to inspire people to live authentic, challenging and rewarding lives, both inside and outside the world of hunting.Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/gregmchaleswildyukon/http://www.youtube.com/c/GregMcHalesWildYukon 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

Honestly, who doesn’t have a 5.56 or one of the new and fancy “.223 Wylde’s” in their arsenal? This cartridge has become one of if not the most ubiquitous cartridges in our world and we often take it for granted just being there and being what it is. Ryan Muckenhirn joins Jimmy and Mark to take it back to where it all began, what the cartridge has been intended for in its long use with NATO forces, how many different loads there are, what makes it different from its civilian cousin the .223, and what might be the future of this cartridge? Check it out!

"Ultralight" is in the title of this one so you already know who our esteemed guest is going to be - Lightweight Dave! Dave joins us to talk about his latest ultralight rifle build that he plans to take to the mountain this fall during the unlimited sheep hunt. Ryan Muckenhirn joins as well as we discuss ways to make a rifle extremely light, tradeoffs one may need to face when going so light (i.e. - Recoil?!) and a bunch of other ultralight-type stuff as well. If you've been looking for ways to cut ounces, and maybe even pounds depending on where you're starting out, from your hunting kit - check this one 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

Perhaps you didn’t even know shotguns could be suppressed, or maybe you did and you’re wondering how it works or what shells can work with the can on the end? Reuben Aleckson and Dan Knuth (New guest) join us to talk about Dan’s Benelli M2 shotgun with a Silencerco Salvo on the end. He shoots with it all the time in almost every application and with a huge variety of ammunition types. Check it out if you’ve been curious as to whether or not you should silence your scatter gun!

With all these cartridge-based 10 minute talks, we decided it would be a good idea to talk about some of the more common and often forgotten like the remote you lost in your hand cartridges out there, most of those being NATO cartridges. So, the first in our “NATO Series” is the 9x19 – often just referred to as the 9mm. What is NATO, what’s the origin story of this cartridge, what makes the NATO version different from the regular 9mm ammo you get at the store (If at all?), and how has the 9mm evolved over time to become more effective in comparison to some of the larger calibers out there like .45 acp? You’ll find out right here! Stay tuned for more NATO cartridges in the coming weeks, too. We’re doing all four!

By now it’s no secret we love shotguns around here at Vortex, so we’re going to keep the shotgun conversations rolling with this choke-specific full-lengther with Ryan Muckenhirn. If you’ve ever wondered what types of shotgun chokes are available, what they all do, and when you would want to use one over another, this is the podcast for you. Everything from the rare “Spreader choke” to full-on turkey chokes, fixed chokes, rifled chokes and shooting slugs out of a shotgun with a choke in it. Check it out and let us know what your go-to choke is!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

NFA items in and of themselves can be complicated things to own, but how about what it’s like actually traveling with them out of state? Adam and Reuben join Jimmy and Mark once again for one last “Traveling with” 10 minute talk to discuss some of the considerations you should keep in mind when traveling with your NFA items. Disclaimer – we are not lawyers, nor are we always going to be perfect in our interpretation or verbiage behind every federal law, state law, or in this case, individual airline regulation. You should always do your own research about your own situation at the given time given the complexity and changing nature of these things. Vortex and the hosts/guests of this podcast are not responsible for the actions of our viewers and listeners.

Could the .22LR actually be considered “America’s cartridge”? Ryan Muckenhirn and new guest Seth Toy (From our engineering department) join Jimmy and Mark to talk all about rimfire cartridges, NRL precision .22 LR matches and a brand new scope from Vortex that might just so happen to have the perfect set of features for precision rimfire shooters. If you’ve always been the kind of person to take a fun game and get really competitive about it in a quest to beat literally everyone else on the planet, you’d make a great competitive rimfire guy/gal and should totally listen to this one. Also, if you watch on YouTube, stick around after the podcast to hear Ryan and Seth go on a completely interesting and nerdy tangent about making their own ELR .22 cartridge. Truly revolutionary.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

We’re going to try and throw out a couple bonus episodes during this pandemic, so here’s a short one all about bore sighting your rifle. Whether that’s a bolt action rifle or an AR-15, this is an easy step that takes minimal time and zero ammo to help you get closer on your first shots out of a new rifle and optic setup. We also discuss what to do if you find yourself trying to sight in a rifle that has no way of being bore sighted like AK’s, Ruger 10/22’s, etc.For a printable bore sighting target - check out the show notes: https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-nation-podcast-show-notes

Did you know you can fly with your firearm checked on the plane and even ammo, too? To some that may seem crazy, but to Reuben and Adam on this podcast, it’s what they’ve done all the time over their career in our dealer sales and training department and their own hunts/competitions they’ve traveled to. In this podcast we learn about approved containers and methods of packing your ammo, alternatives to traveling with ammo if the amount of ammo you need exceeds the airline limit, and even the fact that magazines can be an approved storage container on planes! Disclaimer – we are not lawyers, nor are we always going to be perfect in our interpretation or verbiage behind every federal law, state law, or in this case, individual airline regulation. You should always do your own research about your own situation at the given time given the complexity and changing nature of these things. Vortex and the hosts/guests of this podcast are not responsible for the actions of our viewers and listeners.

We have red dot sights, a big old Tom has a red head. Coincidence - We think not. Today’s modern shotguns, turkey loads and choke tubes make mounting a red dot sight to your gobbler-getter more practical than ever – and just might make your rig more effective than ever! And it’s really not that hard! There’s more than one way to mount your dot, and we go through those methods. And if you have a do-all shotgun for all your hunting applications, mounting your dot and taking it off depending on your upcoming hunt, just ain’t that big a deal. Not only is a red dot sight “parallax-free,” letting shooters get their shot payload downrange to its intended recipient no madder how awkward your cheek weld or shooting position, but they provide a finer aiming point, as well as don’t obscure your target - particularly at longer ranges. Fast and easy, put the dot on the thing and pull the thing. Toward the end we chat through magnified optics on shotguns for big game and turkeys and Ryan hucks out a sighting-in Pro-Tip that will save you $$$! Outfit your turkey gun with a red dot and take a hung up gobbler – and hang his hooks on a limb.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

We’ve talked all about the vast expanse of shells available for your shotgun and how you can choose what works best for your application, but being that spring is upon us and folks are looking to socially distance themselves by going turkey hunting, we want to dedicate some time to discussing turkey loads specifically. How they work, what you should look for, the advances they’ve made over time, and much more. There’s a lot packed into this short episode for your spring season so tune in!

Dylan Easley, Garrett Grover and Reuben join Jimmy and Mark to discuss tuning pistol reloads for competition. We had no idea so much went into getting the perfect ammunition for not only a specific gun, but a specific shooter, specific competition and even a specific sighting system (Red dot or iron sights) too! These guys bring being one with your firearm to the next level by seeing and feeling the differences between very small changes in their loads to find the one that works best. We also finished up discussing how these seasoned pro’s keep fresh and stay excited for each season coming up after so many years of competition under their belts and much more around season prep.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

Thus far, Reuben and Adam have talked about flying with guns and ammo in two 10 minute talks. What they haven’t covered, however, is that when you travel as much as they do, you’re bound to eventually make a mistake or encounter an awkward/shocking situation. Adam tells the story about when his lateness, a last-minute gamble and lack of planning with his NFA items almost made him miss an important flight and Reuben talks about the time his 2011 wound up skidding across the floor at an airport baggage claim. Truly spine-tingling stuff! Learn from their experiences so the same things don’t happen to you. Disclaimer – we are not lawyers, nor are we always going to be perfect in our interpretation or verbiage behind every federal law, state law, or in this case, individual airline regulation. You should always do your own research about your own situation at the given time given the complexity and changing nature of these things. Vortex and the hosts/guests of this podcast are not responsible for the actions of our viewers and listeners.

We drink it every day – if you’re a sane person. It’s part of our morning routines, it’s part of dating culture, and it just tastes damn good – particularly in the backcountry where frills and creature comforts are few. There’s a heck of lot more to coffee than meets the eye! In this podcast, we sit down with Tony Burlison, Master Roaster and owner of Dark Timber Coffee, to talk everything coffee. From the life cycle of a coffee bean, that starts out as a cherry, but is actually a pit, to the best temperature to brew, cupping (that sounds hot), best brew methods (there are many), light vs dark roasts, getting the most flavor out of your beans, the importance of good water – and oh yeah, we top it off with one of Tony’s signature Accent Packs (a compact, lightweight, single-serve pour-over that will leave thinking you brought a barista in your backpack. If you drink coffee, you’ll like Dark Timber. If you don’t drink coffee then.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

Sure, you can legally fly with your beloved firearm and its ammo, but how should you actually pack it? What combo of hard cases, bags, locks, etc do Adam and Reuben recommend? We also briefly chat about what to do if you get pulled over in another state with firearms you’re traveling with toward the end as a bonus. Disclaimer – we are not lawyers, nor are we always going to be perfect in our interpretation or verbiage behind every federal law, state law, or in this case, individual airline regulation. You should always do your own research about your own situation at the given time given the complexity and changing nature of these things. Vortex and the hosts/guests of this podcast are not responsible for the actions of our viewers and listeners.

So right off the bat, we should tell you this isn’t going to be a series of “If/then” statements about “If you do _____, then you should get _____ scope”. Truth is, the possibilities there are endless and it would get pretty boring pretty fast. What Jimmy, Mark and Ryan M really wanted to get at in this episode is how do you determine exactly what it is that you’re going to be doing with your rifle and scope, and then how do you determine exactly what features, level of optical quality, and price range, to name just a few of the variables, you really and truly need to accomplish that task. We see bad advice all over the internet about choosing optics – many times putting down new comers to hunting and/or shooting or making them feel like the sport/lifestyle simply can’t be done without a huge budget or gobs of time and an optical engineering degree. Perhaps a few times we got in “Rant” mode here because of it, but just know, it’s all in the name of helping everyone figure out what’s best for them and simply being comfortable with that choice being different from what another person may want/need. As always, if you have any questions about what riflescope you should choose for your very specific application and situation, we’re more than happy to chat that over with you and you can contact us on social media, via phone, e-mail, or in person if you stop by our showroom here in Barneveld, WI. 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

Maybe you had no idea you could actually even fly with your firearms checked on a flight, maybe you did but haven’t done it before, or maybe you have done it, but still feel a little uneasy about it and aren’t totally sure how best to handle it next time – Never fear! Reuben and Adam join Jimmy and Mark to discuss this very topic. These two guys work in our dealer sales and training department and do range days and competitions and hunts all over the country so they fly with firearms all the time. After all that experience, they’ve been able to boil down how you should approach the situation with no fear of getting taken to that scary dark room in the back. Disclaimer – we are not lawyers, nor are we always going to be perfect in our interpretation or verbiage behind every federal law, state law, or in this case, individual airline regulation. You should always do your own research about your own situation at the given time given the complexity and changing nature of these things. Vortex and the hosts/guests of this podcast are not responsible for the actions of our viewers and listeners.

Nothing preserves memories in the field better than a well-taken photo, so we sat down with Wyatt Cole and Erik Barber to talk about all-things “getting started in photography”. Listen in for great tips and tricks on getting the perfect shot. Whether you’re shooting on a fancy mirrorless camera with a lens that costs more than your truck payment, or snapping away on your phone, this episode covers everything you need to capture a wall hanger of a different variety.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

At one point or another, we all have to mount a scope to our rifle. Besides getting good gear and adhering to proper torque specs/sequences, leveling your riflescope is one of the most important things we do in order to set ourselves up for success at the range. The internet is full of differing opinions on how to properly do the job, but the fact remains, you can’t argue with physics, and that’s exactly what Nick Laufenberg used in this 10 minute conversation with Jimmy to explain how to properly level your long range riflescope. Spoiler alert – it may not be perfectly level to your rifle! This was Part 2 of a longer conversation between Jimmy and Nick. If you missed part 1, Nick started by explaining how rifle cant can affect your accuracy at long range and the importance of having your reticle level to the earth when you take your shot. Check it out.

Nick Laufenberg joins Jimmy to discuss the effect of rifle cant on accuracy at long range. If you’ve ever wondered why some people put bubble levels on their riflescope and whether or not it’s just to look cool with some extra range bling – here’s your answer. Spoiler alert – just a little bit of cant can absolutely cause you to miss! Nick brought charts and specific examples to show you exactly how important a level reticle (notice we didn’t say rifle) for your shot is. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this same conversation as it naturally transitioned into the question – “How should I actually go about leveling my riflescope when I mount it??”

The number one reason to wear camo: Conceal yourself from game. The number one reason to avoid wearing camo: Every non-hunter you encounter will hit you with the same unavoidable joke - “Whoa, I didn’t see you there” - forcing you into the same polite laugh you’ve responded with Lord knows how many times. Regardless, there’s no doubt camouflage can have a positive impact on your hunt. In this podcast we cover the importance of camo, how it works, it’s evolution, hunt tactics you can use to enhance concealment, wearing solids, weapon and game-specific considerations and a whole lot more.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

Ian Klemm joins Jimmy and Mark for 10 minutes to blow some minds. Does barrel break-in even matter?? Conventional wisdom says “Yes” and perhaps there’s some truth to that, but Ian would argue it’s not nearly as important as the internet wants you to believe and that you don’t need to waste a ton of time/ammo to get your barrel ready to shoot extremely accurately – Even with hand-made custom barrels! Tune in to hear why and let us know your thoughts on barrel break-in, too. This one was in response to a ton of feedback on our full-length Barrels podcast with Ian, so keep those suggestions, questions and ideas coming! Best spot to throw them out is on Instagram by messaging @vortexnationpodcast

Reuben and Scott Parks (Back from our Long Range series some time ago!) join Jimmy and Mark to discuss the topic of making your rifle fit you. This is a broad topic that can really go in a lot of different directions – proper stock/chassis choice and setup, proper optic setup, and probably most importantly – a good understanding of the fundamentals of marksmanship and plain good shooting. Scott also talks natural point of aim and the fact that shooting a heavier recoiling rifle can often times immediately point out any shooting fundamentals you’re doing wrong or have gotten a little lazy about.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

Just when you thought they were done, Jimmy and Mark carried on Westward to LA to meet up with Damyan Tuchenishki from Renner Racing Development, a highly specialized Subaru racing shop that helped Jimmy remotely along the way during the Forester build process. They talk even more about why Subaru’s are awesome, what goes into making their record-breaking time attack cars, the history of their shop, and a whole lot more. Stay tuned, too, because the crew at Renner is set to do a little more work on the Forester from here to make it even better for future Podventures!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

First off – we made it to Arizona AND hunted all four days we intended to hunt, so we can already say this is a marked improvement over the last podventure. Mark and Jimmy sit down in a hotel room on an oddly rainy southern Arizona evening around midnight or so to talk about one of the most challenging but immensely fun hunts they’ve ever done. They give the rundown on how the Subaru performed going cross-country and then offroading around the AZ desert, lessons learned bowhunting coues deer in some seriously brutal terrain, glassing tips, and how effectively stalking deer is a lot like mimicking tigers on National Geographic.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 rang isn’t limited to rifles. Today’s hunting bows are technologically advanced engineering marvels built to send projectiles to their intended target with astonishing precision. Mark and Jimmy sit down with Evan Williams of Hoyt, to chat through wringing out every last ounce of performance from your compound bow. This is pretty nerdy stuff - all geared toward maximizing your effective range and the capability of you and your setup. We cover everything from the anatomy of your bow, break in, tuning, paper tuning, getting optimal arrow flight/terminal performance to the color pink being cool and a whole lot more.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

With the Subaru mostly finished, Jimmy and Mark head to Reno, NV to talk to Remi Warren about how to bow hunt coues deer in Arizona. People don’t call these things grey ghosts for nothing – they’re extremely difficult to spot, constantly on high alert for predators, and during the rut when we’re going in January, quite unpredictable. Remi has a boat load of experience and success spotting, stalking and killing coues deer, so picking his brain for every last bit of information, tips and tricks is incredibly interesting and helpful. As a bonus, the timing and location of this hunt lends itself to bow hunting another unique creature, the Javelina, so Remi also gives us the 4-1-1 on exactly what to do if we bump into them along the way and why it’s usually an incredibly fun and heart-pounding experience! Next up – How complicated could “Bow accuracy” and getting one’s self prepared for a potentially long shot on game really be? (Spoiler alert – Just as complicated as if not more than long range rifle shooting!)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

Mark, Jimmy, and Erik sit down to talk about purchasing and rebuilding a $1200 Subaru Forester they found on eBay for their cross-country road-tripping, overlanding, off-road Arizona coues deer bow hunting adventure. Jimmy gets the chance of a lifetime to talk about cars for an entire podcast and tries to get real with folks about what it’s really like for the average guy or gal to search for, purchase, inspect and rebuild their own hunting rig. We also chat about why an SUV most commonly seen as a mundane grocery getter like the Subaru Forester might currently be one of the best options in reliable, comfortable, spacious and off-road capable vehicles on the market that you can probably find for an absolute bargain. If you’re interested in learning about cars, like a challenge and have kicked around the idea of a relatively cheap vehicle you can beat on in the backcountry without worry for scratched paint or a dirty interior, you won’t want to miss this one. If you don’t give a rip about cars and never will – skip to our next episode where we talk how to hunt coues and Javelina with Remi Warren!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