Vortex Nation Podcast

Vortex Optics

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

Newest first

January 19 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 429 | Vortex AMG® 1-10x24 — A New Tier of Optic is Born
A new tier of optic is born. The Vortex AMG® 1-10x24 is the most-advanced, highest performing, feature rich, optically superior, LPVO we’ve ever built. Astonishingly lightweight and compact, it is a true engineering marvel. Tune in and listen to AMG team members Andy Haffemann and Connor McDermot talk through its pedigree, features, and capabilities.
January 13 · 59 min
#10MinuteTalk | 2025 Gear in Review (Shooting)
Avid shooters from Vortex get together to share information on new products they used, liked, and made a difference. Tune in to get the scoop on gear you may need too!
January 12 · 1 hr 37 min
Ep. 428 | 2025 Gear in Review (Hunting)
2025 is in the books — along with every hunt the guys could fit in. Listen and watch as they highlight gear they used for the first time, liked, and would recommend.
January 6 · 53 min
#10MinuteTalk | NAS3 High Pressure Cases
High pressure cases appear to be the next evolution of cartridge performance. Shell Schock Technologies and their NAS3 cases are at the forefront of the trend. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn chat through their experiences with Blackarc Munitions ammo loaded using NAS3 cases. Tune in for their thoughts on the technology itself and what they saw.
January 5 · 1 hr 31 min
Ep. 427 | Suppressor Talk
Rob Morrel from Vortex’s New Product Development team drops by the studio to chat suppressors, manufacturing processes, material composition, trends, and what he’s personally excited about. Don’t suppress your urge to tune in. This is a good one.
Dec 31, 2025 · 20 min
#10MinuteTalk | The Winchester .25-35 | Listener Request
Introduced in 1895 for the Winchester 1894, the .25-35 Winchester was fast for its time, flat shooting, and optimized for the lever gun. This cartridge had and still has a lot to offer. Saddle up for an informative discussion focused on this classic cartridge.
Dec 30, 2025 · 30 min
#10MinuteTalk | The 7mm SAUM | Ahead of Its Time!
The 7mm SAUM has everything a long-range hunter or shooter is looking for — today. This cartridge was ahead of its time. Those who understood its capabilities have kept it alive in custom rifles to this day. Tune in as Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Jimmy Hamilton cover this cool cartridge that should have been a household name.
Dec 29, 2025 · 20 min
#10MinuteTalk | The .17 Remington Fireball | Died a 4000 FPS Death
Lightning fast, low recoil, mild report, and perfect for varmints — what’s not to like about the .17 Remington Fireball? Apparently, a lot. This cartridge and rifles chambered in it weren’t long for this world. Tune is as the gang chats through this ultra-cool cartridge that never got traction.
Dec 28, 2025 · 34 min
#10MinuteTalk | The .338 ARC | Big Bullet, Small Case
Short, slow, and fat. No, this isn’t Mark’s high school football scouting report. It describes the positive attributes of the .338 ARC. This is a cool cartridge doing cool stuff in a standard AR frame. Tune in to hear all about it.
Dec 27, 2025 · 19 min
#10MinuteTalk | The .405 Winchester | Was Teddy Roosevelt Right?
Introduced in 1904, the .405 Winchester is one of the most powerful lever-action cartridges ever created. Teddy Roosevelt had a particular fondness for it. Ryan Muckenhirn brings in a rifle chambered for this classic cartridge and the guys talk all about its venerable performance.
Dec 26, 2025 · 34 min
#10MinuteTalk | The 6mm GT | Best of the 6mm’s?
A model of efficiency, long-range precision, and barrel life, the 6mm GT may just be the Goldilocks of 6mm cartridges. Does it sit at the top of the 6mm cartridge pile? Tune in as the guys dissect this more than intelligent cartridge.
Dec 24, 2025 · 42 min
Meatball by Telegram??? | Spaghetti Shootout Ep. 30
Things get saucy as Mark and Ryan debate why their opponent is on the naughty list, the hunt they’d take Santa on, the cartridge they’d hunt Iowa deer with and more. Are Mark’s answers and Christmas gift for Jim good enough or does Ryan come between him and the threepeat? Tune in to find out!
Dec 23, 2025 · 22 min
#10MinuteTalk | Mark Got a Suppressor!
Mark quietly did his research. In silence and unbeknownst to the guys, he finally pulled the trigger. It took everything he had to suppress his secret until the big podcast reveal. Disguised as a revisit to Jimmy’s pizza oven culinary exploits, he surprises them with the big news. Can they believe it? Which one did he pick?
Dec 22, 2025 · 2 hr 2 min
Ep. 426 | Answering Your Questions | A Lot of Them!
When we asked for questions, you guys delivered! Tune in as the guys tackle cartridges they don’t own but want, tire chains, dream hunts, the high-pressure cartridge they wish existed, and a heck of a lot more.
Dec 16, 2025 · 40 min
#10MinuteTalk | Coffee Talk | Will Jimmy Finally Like Coffee?
Will a heart-felt letter and listener-submitted specialty coffee finally get Jimmy to see the coffee light? Tune in as the guys “pour over” this fun topic aimed at getting Jimmy’s life on the right track.
Dec 15, 2025 · 1 hr 57 min
Ep. 425 | Deer of the Year | 2025 Season Recap
Arrows flung and bullets sent, a crew of Vortex folks pack the podcast studio for a deer-season recap. Big bucks, medium bucks, young bucks, and doe’s — nothing was safe. Tune in to hear the stories behind the venison.
Dec 9, 2025 · 29 min
#10MinuteTalk | Choosing a Binocular Configuration
Choosing a binocular configuration shouldn’t be a daunting task. Vortex’s binocular expert, Mike McDowell, joins Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn to talk through the pros and cons of various models. Compacts, to “Big Eyes”, they cover them all. What binocular is right for you? Tune in to find out.
Dec 8, 2025 · 40 min
Ep. 424 | Vortex Holiday Gift Guide
Need the perfect gift? Vortex has you covered. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn highlight select Vortex products sure to keep you on everyone’s “nice list.”
Dec 2, 2025 · 37 min
#10MinuteTalk | 7mm Backcountry Reloading Dies and Data
As we hit the launch button on a bunch of 7mm Backcountry content, Federal hit the launch button on reloading dies and load data. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn cover what’s new and what it means for this cartridge.
Dec 1, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 423 | Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawkin | Muckenhirn’s Traditional Muzzleloader
Ryan Muckenhirn brings in his Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawkin muzzleloader. He and Mark Boardman talk through its features, the story behind it, and what makes it so cool. A link to our mountain-man past, traditional muzzleloaders are intrinsically awesome in every way. This podcast may just inspire you to purchase one of your own.