Vortex Nation Podcast

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Welcome to the Vortex Nation Podcast. Brought to you by lovers of hunting, shooting, public lands, the Second Amendment and dang good food.

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941 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes941

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Feb 3, 2025 · 57 min
Ep. 377 | Winchester’s Model 70 — The Rifleman’s Rifle
Introduced in 1936, Winchester’s Model 70 is one of the most iconic rifle series ever created. Winchester still makes a plethora of variants to this day — a testament to its greatness. Many folks wouldn’t consider owning anything different. Ryan Muckenhirn brings in a pre-64 in Jack O’Conner’s beloved .270 and Mark Boardman a recently procured .375 H&H for conversational inspiration. Tune in to hear all about the Winchester Model 70.
Jan 30, 2025 · 35 min
Conspiracy Theories and Tinfoil Hats | Spaghetti Shootout Ep. 23
The gang’s back at it debating Big Foot, Area 51, the moon landing, and more. Who makes the strongest arguments? Are they right? Will they mysteriously disappear shortly after recording? Watch to find out…watch your back if you get too close to the truth.
Jan 28, 2025 · 18 min
#10MinuteTalk - How to Boresight Your AR
Mark Boardman grabs an AR and Ryan Muckenhirn to walk through a simple and effective way to get a solid boresight on AR platform rifles.
Jan 27, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 376 | Elk Hoof Disease and What We Know — with Dr. Margaret A. Wild
Elk Hoof Disease is a painful, debilitating affliction that reduces an affected elk’s ability to forage and evade predators. Significant prevalence in southwest Washington and confirmed cases in other states have prompted researchers to take it seriously. Dr. Margaret A. Wild, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology at Washington State University, joins Mark Boardman to tell us what is known so far and how you can help.
Jan 21, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
#10MinuteTalk - Mark, Jimmy, and Ryan’s 2024 Deer Camp Recap
Mark Boardman, Jimmy Hamilton, and Ryan Muckenhirn recap the second year of their Wisconsin deer camp. Fun hunt, four deer down, and fantastic farm-fresh food. Tune in to hear all about it.
Jan 20, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 375 | 2024 Gear in Review (Shooting)
Shoot first and review later. Mark Boardman grabs Vortex’s Chris Urrutia (Vortex Edge® shooting instructor), Adam Maxwell (high-level competitive shooter/Grandmaster), and Ian Klemm (F-Class National Champion) to find out what new gear they used in 2024. If you don’t want to miss, this podcast is one you don’t want to miss.
Jan 14, 2025 · 25 min
#10MinuteTalk - Is Ryan Muckenhirn Fully Vested in the Puffy Vest?
Did Ryan Muckenhirn flip-flop his personal position on the puffy vest? Is he heavily invested in the puffy vest platform? Is he getting down with the down vest? Does he admit Mark Boardman has been right all along? Tune in to hear about his journey into the world of warm core, arms free, active insulation.
Jan 13, 2025 · 49 min
Ep. 374 | .22 LR for Self Defense?
Is the .22 LR a viable self-defense solution? It’s incredibly popular and for a lot of folks might be the only rifle or pistol they have. With the right ammo, is it good enough to get the job done? Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat with Jason Slinkard from CCI to answer this question and more.
Jan 7, 2025 · 27 min
#10MinuteTalk - New Year New You — Get MTNTOUGH
Dustin Diefenderfer is back to help get you ready for the mountains. Tune in to get great fitness info and a look at the tools MTNTOUGH offers. Change your life and the outcome of your hunts with MTNTOUGH.
Jan 6, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
Ep. 373 | 2024 Gear in Review (Hunting)
2024 is in the past, but what gear gets the nod for future hunts. Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Erik Barber highlight gear they used in 2024 that made a difference. Tune in for our annual “Gear in Review” podcast…Just make sure to hide your wallet from yourself. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Dec 31, 2024 · 1 hr 3 min
#10MinuteTalk - The 8.6 Blackout: Destined for Fame or Out Like a Flame?
Big bullets, fits in the AR-10 platform, subsonic and supersonic loadings, an ultrafast twist rate — the 8.6 Blackout is a unique option for hunting and tactical applications. Cool? Yes. Fun? Yes. Effective? Yes. Did the world need it? The gang chats through this interesting cartridge to help answer that very question.
Dec 30, 2024 · 22 min
#10MinuteTalk - The .41 Rem Mag: Best Revolver Cartridge of All Time?
You rarely hear about the .41 Remington Magnum. Why? Many say it’s the most versatile revolver cartridge ever created. How does this one get glossed over? Why doesn’t every revolver manufacturer have a robust line of models chambered for this capable and shootable cartridge? All good questions. Tune in to hear about the venerable .41 Rem Mag.
Dec 29, 2024 · 39 min
#10MinuteTalk - The .30 RAR: The Saddest Lead Balloon
The .30 Remington AR had everything going for it and everything going against it at the same time. Compare it to modern cartridges like .300 BLK, and it leaves one scratching their head as to why it just never took off. Timing is everything and the .30 RAR was ahead of its time. Tune in to hear about this cool cartridge few ever heard about.
Dec 28, 2024 · 21 min
#10MinuteTalk - The .243 WSSM: Biggest Lead Balloon of All Time?
The cartridge nobody asked for or had to have, the .243 WSSM was super short on perceivable performance advantages and super short lived. Was it the biggest lead-balloon cartridge of all time? Listen and decide for yourself.
Dec 27, 2024 · 51 min
#10MinuteTalk - The 22 ARC: Best 22 Centerfire Ever?
Fast, flat, fits in an AR-15, great for long range shooting, an absolute predator pounder, and light recoiling. The 22 ARC lives up to its name of Advanced Rifle Cartridge. So, do you need one? Listen and find out.
Dec 26, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
#10MinuteTalk - Best Long-Range Hunting Rifle Ever — .300 SUPER WSM
The gang is back from shooting gel out to 900 yards. Now it’s time to talk about their custom .300 WSM built entirely around the Barnes 212 grain LRX Bore Rider bullet. This project starts and ends with a bullet matched with a case and premium components, creating a perfect storm of long-range terminal performance. Is this the ultimate long range hunting rifle? Listen and decide for yourself.
Dec 24, 2024 · 1 hr 24 min
#10MinuteTalk - Q&A — Your Questions Answered
This Christmas Eve, Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Jimmy Hamilton sit down for a question-and-answer sesh compliments of you. We dive into lots of great topics in this light-hearted and informative podcast for you, by you, and just in time for Christmas.
Dec 23, 2024 · 44 min
Ep. 372 | Muzzy Whitetail Weekend Warrior Recap
Vortex’s Mark Boardman, Erik Barber and Graham Cronin hit the December Whitetail woods in search of late-season success. Tune in for their stories, a few tips, and accounts from three different hunts.
Dec 19, 2024 · 38 min
Your Opponents Old West “Wanted” Poster Says? | Spaghetti Shootout Ep. 22
Buckle up for a meatball-inspired episode of Spaghetti Shootout. That’s right, this week’s spaghetti order is loaded with extra meatballs. Old west wanted posters, pinky-up coffee drink doppelgangers, the modern weapon you’d fight WWI with and more. This is one you don’t want to miss! Can Mark take Ryan down for an unprecedented three wins in a row or does his propensity for self-sabotage nuke his chances for spaghetti glory? Find out now!
Dec 17, 2024 · 35 min
#10MinuteTalk - How To Mount Your Riflescope Correctly
If your riflescope isn’t mounted correctly, your whole system is sunk. Mark Boardman grabs Ryan Muckenhirn and the tools needed to talk through mounting a riflescope in the podcast studio. Get the info you need to mount your riflescope the right way.