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

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Nov 26, 2025 · 37 min
Deer Drives, Ye or Nay | Spaghetti Shootout Ep. 29
Lights, camera, spaghetti! The ethics of deer drives, Adam Sandler movie characters, and more. Can Mark make a coherent argument and come away with another win? Does Ryan noodle around for the right words only to slip in the spaghetti sauce of life? Tune in to find out.
Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Ep. 422 | Ryan Muckenhirn’s New .300 SUPER WSM | Cow Elk Hunt Plan
After talking about and testing the .300 SUPER WSM, Ryan had to build one of his own. Tune in for the breakdown of his new rifle and get the scoop on his and Mark’s plan to put their .300 SUPER WSM’s to the test on a late-season cow elk hunt.
Nov 18, 2025 · 36 min
Ep. 421 | Remi Warren | Is the 7mm Backcountry the New .300 WSM?
Remi Warren talks about his personal hunting experience with the 7mm Backcountry and its impressive performance. Like Mark Boardman, he is a big fan of the .300 WSM. They’ve even podcasted about the many fine attributes of the .300 WSM previously. But is the 7mm Backcountry claiming the crown as Remi’s big-game go-to? Listen and find out.
Nov 17, 2025 · 1 hr 10 min
Ep. 420 | 7MM Backcountry | The Short-Barreled Big Game Do-all?
Back from the range shooting every Federal loading through two 7mm Backcountry rifles (Proof Research and Weatherby), Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn have a lot to digest. They analyze the chronograph data, bullet offerings, factory rifle options, and overall performance. Is owning a 7mm Backcountry in their future? Listen and find out.
Nov 11, 2025 · 16 min
#10MinuteTalk | Folds of Honor | Crafted Impact
Folds of Honor provides scholarships to the children and spouses of military and first responders fallen or disabled in the line of duty. Listen and learn more about this great organization and the Vortex/Folds of Honor Crafted Impact collaboration. Together, we can raise money and support their life-changing cause.
Nov 10, 2025 · 54 min
Ep. 419 | 7mm Backcountry | The Full Story from Federal
Federal’s Eric Miller gives a detailed rundown on their 7mm Backcountry cartridge and Peak Alloy case technology. High pressure coupled with short barrels optimal for suppression and magnum performance just might have you headed to your local gun shop. Tune in to get the gouge on this more than intriguing cartridge.
Nov 4, 2025 · 48 min
#10MinuteTalk | Muzzy Bullet Breakdown
Muzzleloader bullets come in all shapes and sizes. Round balls to polymer-tipped and custom-swaged, there are a lot of options to choose from. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn run through the different styles, advantages they offer, and which may be the best for you.
Nov 3, 2025 · 59 min
Ep. 418 | Semi-Auto Deer Rifles, Princes of Pie-Plate Precision?
Semi-auto deer rifles are the Kings of fast follow-up shots, the Dukes of deer drives, and Princes of pie-plate precision (kidding on that last part). A cultural norm in some regions and nearly absent in others, semi-autos often prove much more accurate than many folks give them credit for. Tune in to this podcast where Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn talk all about the iconic semi-auto deer rifle and its place amongst the hunting ranks.
Oct 30, 2025 · 27 min
#10MinuteTalk | Fall Hunt Recap | Early October Big Buck Down
Vortex’s Maggie Carsello gives us the rundown on her early October archery whitetail. The biggest buck she’s shot to date, her story is proof positive it pays to strategically target bucks through every stage of the season.
Oct 29, 2025 · 43 min
The WORST Piece of Hunting Advice You Still Hear | Spaghetti Shootout Ep. 28
The gang is back with their spaghetti six shooters slinging meatballs and mild insults. Can Mark Boardman take down the all-knowing Ryan Muckenhirn or does he fall face first in his plate of pasta shame. Optimal rifle barrel length to hunting advice that’s just plain wrong, tune in as they battle it out in the name of spaghetti glory.
Oct 27, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep. 417 | Thermal Drone Deer Research — Unlocking Whitetail Secrets
Derrick Dixon, founder of the Whitetail Research YouTube channel, buzzes by virtually like a thermal drone to talk about his self-documented, year-long, thermal-drone-based deer study. If you’re interested in mature buck behavior, tune in to hear what he learned monitoring these mysterious creatures from above.
Oct 23, 2025 · 29 min
#10MinuteTalk | South Dakota Deer, Cattle, Mosquitos and Miles
Dan Johnson joins Mark Boardman to report back on his SD muley hunt. He gives his take on an area that’s historically produced and why it was just plain tough this year. Successful or not, we learn from every hunt. This one is no exception.
Oct 21, 2025 · 33 min
#10MinuteTalk | Ryan Muckenhirn’s Pet .308 Load
Ryan Muckenhirn loves the .308 Winchester and Barnes Bullets. These two facts combine making a podcast all about his pet .308 load and the compelling argument as to its incredible effectiveness. Tune in and prepare to buy a box or two for yourself.
Oct 20, 2025 · 1 hr 44 min
Ep. 416 | The Vortex Origin Story with President and CEO, Joe Hamilton
Joe Hamilton, President and CEO of Vortex, sits down with Mark Boardman to give Vortex’s gritty origin story, shed light on the philosophies that make Vortex what it is, and let you know about a brand-new podcast he’ll be hosting. If you like inspiring stories, great information, and want a sneak peek into a platform that may be exactly what you and your business need, tune in!
Oct 16, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
#10MinuteTalk | Fall Hunt Recap - Scottish Highlands Red Stag, Sika Deer and Salmon
Mark Boardman travels to the Scottish Highlands to meet up with the Spartan Precision team. Together, they tackle its rugged terrain and inclement weather in pursuit of red stag, sika deer, and if the stars align, an Atlantic salmon. The landscape breathtaking, Kildermorie Estate Lodge historic, people amazing, and culture rich, this hunt exceeded any expectation Mark could have had.
Oct 14, 2025 · 24 min
#10MinuteTalk | Vortex Triumph HD 3-9x40 Riflescope and 850 Rangefinder
The price/performance ratio bar has been set again. The Vortex Triumph HD 3-9x40 Riflescope and 850 Rangefinder are built to impress without depleting your pocketbook. Perfect for budget conscious hunters, casual hunters, and new hunters, these optics round out the Triumph series and will get you in the game. Listen as Luke Roberts and Shane Callaghan from Vortex’s product development team tell us all about them.
Oct 13, 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
Ep. 415 | 5 Listener-Requested Optics-Ready Pistols Tested
You selected 5 optics-ready pistols. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn shot them. Listen as they run through the features, what they liked, didn’t like, and points to consider.
Oct 9, 2025 · 56 min
#10MinuteTalk | Fall Hunt Recap - Clay Hayes Alaska Adventure
Clay Hayes joins Mark Boardman to talk through his month-long Alaska adventure. Moose hunting with his self-bow, fishing, bears, and more made this trip one to remember. Tune in to hear all about it.
Oct 7, 2025 · 20 min
#10MinuteTalk | Vortex Enclosed Micro Red Dots
Everything you need or want in a pistol/offset dot. Vortex Defender Enclosed Solar and Venom® Micro Red Dots are tough, compact, fully protected from the elements, boast an ultra-clear aspherical lens, are widely compatible, and more! Tune in to hear about your new dot. That may sound presumptuous — until you hear about the incredible performance they offer.
Oct 6, 2025 · 57 min
Ep. 414 | Bolt Action Shotguns
Bolt action shotguns are dang cool yet nearly a thing of the past. They went from the best option for deer hunting in specific states/regions of states to, well, not. Ryan Muckenhirn brings in a bolt action shotgun to highlight and a few deer stories, as he and Mark Boardman cover the unique firearm category.