Looking for the perfect optic? The Vortex® Optics Finder Tool on vortexoptics.com can help narrow your search. Simple and easy to use, follow along as Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn walk through finding your next piece of glass. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™…

Vortex Edge® Instructor Justin Lipska drops by the studio to drop long-range knowledge bombs. Gear, technique and more, tune in to get insightful tips from a true professional. 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 Vortex Nation™ Podcast studio décor is an eclectic mix of random hunting and shooting-related artifacts…And some that are just plain random (like a framed picture of Jason Alexander). Mark Boardman and Jimmy Hamilton give a guided tour, explaining the “why” behind the seemingly arbitrary nature of the items adorning their walls. As always, we w…

Vortex’s Tucker Schmidt and Scott Parks are back with reloading tips and tricks you can take to the bank…the proverbial bank. We are in no way suggesting…never mind. If you’re into reloading, you’ll likely find what they have to say useful. Or you may flat out disagree and take your rage out in the comments. Either way, give this one a listen. As a…

Serious whitetail hunters use optics and use them well. They are integral to their hunt and their success. Long distance scouting to hardwoods glassing, east to west, bow, rifle, and muzzleloader – optics are a difference maker. So, what should a whitetail optics kit look like? Good question. Tune in as we talk optics for North America’s most popul…

A good set of properly fitting boots is critical to the success of any hunt where your legs are your primary mode of transportation. Raw, seeping, painful, blisters will ruin any hunt fast. Kendall Card and Matt Ericksen from Crispi USA sit down with Mark Boardman at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, providing expert tips to ensure your feet…

Vortex’s Scott Hollfelder digs up several AK’s from his backyard, wipes of the Cosmoline, and sits down for a podcast all about his favorite firearm. Tune in for a fun conversation with an AK enthusiast who appreciates the fine attributes of the super cool, super reliable, and historically significant, AK platform. As always, we want to hear your f…

Pumps, levers, bolt guns, autos, and AR’s. Precision rifles to predators. Big game to biggest game. Military and law enforcement applications – check that box too. The .308 Winchester may not be the best cartridge for everything, but it is certainly the most versatile cartridge for a heck of a lot of things. One rifle to do it all? Look to the good…

Pistol-mounted red dot sights have changed the pistol shooting game. But there are best practices to implement into your shooting regimen to ensure your dot gets on target fast and effective. Chris Urrutia from Vortex Edge® drops by to drop knowledge on this very topic. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics y…

High-level competitive shooter, USPSA Grand Master, and integral to Vortex’s Mil/LE sales team, Adam Maxwell is no stranger to USPSA along with most of the shooting sports disciplines. He, Ryan Muckenhirn, and Mark Boardman talk through how to shoot a USPSA Match. Tune in to up your pistol game on pistol games. As always, we want to hear your feedb…

Invest in your most important piece of gear — you! Dustin Diefenderfer, founder of MTNTOUGH, joins Mark Boardman for a marathon of a conversation about hunt-specific training. Even if you’ve let the fitness component slip, there’s still time to positively impact your fitness level before big game seasons kick off — if you start now. Fitness is key …

Bestowing lead-balloon status on the 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner) may have some folks wanting to sling lead at us. If that’s the case, we ask you download to rotten tomatoes. Born from the 8mm Remington Magnum (most certainly a lead balloon), the 7mm STW began life as a wildcat, gained popularity at a rate akin to the velocity it could push b…

The gang is firing on all cylinders today as they break down the category of wheel guns. The good old revolver won the west, and it still wins our hearts over today. Battlefield to bear country, hip to ankle, the revolver has been there and done that. Its practicality and proven performance cannot be denied. Pull the hammer back and press play on t…

USPSA Grand Master, Adam Maxwell, drops in to tell us how to drop and change magazines like a pro. Competition to professional work and self-defense — a fast and efficient mag change will shave points and may save your life. Tune in to hear the process Adam has distilled down through years of dedicated training. As always, we want to hear your feed…

Jerry Miculek’s flight gets diverted, we pick him up in Milwaukee, and BS all the way back to Vortex HQ. Jerry is a national treasure. His shooting ability, knowledge, philosophy on life, and stories are unmatched. A true pleasure to hang with, Jerry is the real deal in every way. Ride along for a fun and informative conversation with Mark Boardman…

The appendix carry position is one of the most popular — and for good reason. Vortex Edge® instructor Chris Urrutia covers holsters, fit, customizing for ideal pistol position, proper draw and more. If you conceal carry or are thinking about it, this is a good one. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd …

Different critters, terrain, rifles, personal capabilities, tactics and what a person wants to get out of their hunt will dictate the best riflescope for them. Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn break down the hunting riflescope category to help hunters select the optimal riflescope for their outdoor adventures. As always, we want to hear your feedb…

Ruger 5.7x28 ain’t no math problem — it’s a super cool gun Jimmy brought in for us to check out. The cartridge itself to the form factor of this compact rig, it is sweet for a variety of reasons. Jimmy gives us a rundown including his likes, critiques, and the modifications he made. Check it out with us and decide if you need one too. As always, we…

Ring and base riflescope mounting solutions are nearly as diverse as the rifles they sit on. The perfect match for your long-range rig might be the worst for your lightweight mountain rifle. In this podcast, we run through the most popular options, detailing their pros, cons, and how they work. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know …

Proverbial S#!T hitting the fan can come in many forms and mean many things. The guys share their thoughts on kits they have put together and what they think should be in their kit. Your region, circumstances, job, and infinite variables can determine the right kit for you. This is an initial discussion likely with a follow up. As always, we want t…

Adding lightweight suppressors to hunting rifles is incredibly popular. The upside is so great, hunters are selecting/building rifles specifically around their plan to suppress it. But which model will best suit your needs? Rob Morell from Vortex® Product Development uses his engineering brain to create a spreadsheet of popular models broken down b…

Do you love archery, bowhunting or both? Mountain Archery Fest is for you. These multifaceted, multi-course, multi-day 3D archery events with hunt-specific flare will get you prepped for the season while having a blast! Family-friendly fun with venues throughout the USA. Brandon Waddell with “MAF” tells us all about it. Use code Vortex24 for 15% of…

Barrel fluting — practical, aesthetic, or both? Matt Pederson from Pederson Precision pops into the podcast studio to spit barrel-fluting facts. Matt is an expert rifle builder with extensive barrel production experience. Traditional straight to spiral and more — we cover it all. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are an…

The winter of 2023 was hard on the critters of Wyoming and many western states. Ike Eastman and Brandon Mason from the iconic western hunting media company, Eastmans’, give us their take on what happened, the strategies western states took, and things to consider when applying. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any …

Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn gab like hens about the results of their turkey-gauge test. They spin around the topic like strutting Toms in the sun, pecking at it from every angle. Did they pick the best turkey gauge or lay an egg? Tune in as they take a shotgun approach to this age-old debate. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us k…

Wisconsin’s elk herd is a success story. This podcast is a success story because of that success story. Father/daughter duo, Izzy and Brian Wink, tell the tale of the great bull 17-year-old Izzy shot and the backstory behind it. Rifle setup and optic selection, to scouting, calling, picking the spot, setting up for the shot using her precision-rifl…

Do the turkey decoys you put out change based on time of the season? Renowned wildlife artist and turkey call maker, Dave Constantine, tells us why they should. Dave is responsible for the realism of many of the turkey decoys we set up to lure in that boss tom. He’s studied turkey posture and flock dynamics with incredible scrutiny. Couple that wit…

Bullet construction is diverse as the applications we have for them. The team embarks on a world-record length 10MinuteTalk to cover the different styles and how they perform. Tip to boat tail, monolithic to cup-and-core, they discuss the nuances that make up the business end of one of our absolute favorite things — the cartridge. As always, we wan…

From boom to bust in some regions and concerns in others, we’ve seen wild turkey populations change dramatically over the years. What factors are impacting the wild turkey? Should declines in states traditionally known as turkey strongholds be a cautionary tale for others — and all who love the wild turkey? Wild turkey researcher and expert, Dr. Mi…

Special guest, Dr. Mike Chamberlain, a.k.a. Wild Turkey Doc., joins the crew digitally to host turkey trivia. After, Mark and Ryan stake their claim on the cartridge they hate most and the animal they won’t shoot. Who wins the day? For someone, it’s going to be an absolute chip shot. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there ar…

People often say trust the process. Well, a trust can be an important part of your silencer ownership process. Silencer Shop specializes in everything silencers. Purchasing, to tax stamps, to setting up an NFA trust, Tyler Walters from Silencer Shop joins Mark Boardman and Reuben Aleckson for a succinct, step-by-step rundown. Silencer Shop is an A-…

Cell phones for communication, navigation, photography, and evening entertainment, to headlamps, satellite communicators, and more — we rely on battery-powered devices. They make us efficient, comfortable, and keep us safe. What do they have in common? They need to be charged. Not all batteries/power products are created equal. Garrett Aida, CEO of…

You too can prevent muzzy misfires. Guns that load from the front can be inherently finicky and susceptible to environmental factors centerfire rifles shrug off with indifference. That’s part of the reason you generally get a special season. It’s simply harder. Equal parts challenge and frustration, getting your muzzleloader to go bang no matter wh…

Clip in for a highly informative arrow podcast with Bryan Broderick of Day Six Gear. Combine 12 lifetimes of putting arrows in critters with an engineering mind and you get a company built around a balanced philosophy of practical performance. Tips to knocks, we cover it all. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any to…

Justice prevails for the gun community and The United States of America itself. Pistol braces are back baby. Light, compact, incredibly practical, and no tax stamp required, pistol braces are a great option for shooters of any stature. Their intrinsic form factor makes them the perfect tool for a variety of applications. First guns to truck guns, a…

Back from shooting 9mm and 10mm pistols at charging paper targets, ballistic gel blocks, and bear skulls, Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn have a lot to digest — so they can best prevent being digested by a bear. What pistol did they shoot better? Why? Which round performed better and by how much? Can less be more? Tune in as they dive deeper into…

Vortex’s Golf rangefinders have specific features optimized for the application. But what are those features? Is there crossover with hunt/shoot rangefinders? Tune in to hear why you may need to up your game by adding a new Vortex Golf rangefinder to your golf bag. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd …

Pistols come in all shapes and sizes. But what is the best size for your first pistol? What is the best size for your carry pistol? Are they perhaps the same? Pete Schreier from Vortex Edge® sits down with host Mark Boardman to chat through his full-size-pistol philosophy. What are you packing? Will it change after this podcast? Tune in to find out…

Mark Boardman twists off his Barrel Deresonator, Ryan Muckenhirn twists the truth, and Jimmy Hamilton is along for the ride as they debate the merit of this unique device. The boys go back and forth on its physical appearance and performance — including testimonials to its accuracy-improving potential. Ultimately, they make a plan to test it at the…

Red dot sights are the answer to so many firearm-topping needs. Pistol – red dot. AR for close-to-medium engagements – red dot. Shotgun – red dot. Double rifle – red dot. Bolt gun for driven game or dense forest — red dot. Fast, light, compact, and effective, red dots provide the ability to stay target focused for optimal performance down range. Ma…

Mark and Ryan stand side-by-side in a head-to-head battle of words and wisdom. Ok, “wisdom” might be a bit strong. From the professional wrestler they would take hunting, to the movie “Leave the World Behind,” and an open-sighted spaghetti-shoot-off at Vortex Edge®, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. As always, we want to hear your feedback…

Don’t be deceived by inflated numbers that look better on paper than in practice. Mike Rosen (Vortex New Product Development) and Liam Ward (Vortex Product Marketing) give us the rundown on battery run time — and why it’s a more useful and concrete measurement. As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like…

Back from the range, Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn continue their evaluation of the good old 30-30 Winchester. Uniquely original, a first in its class, and potent deer medicine, is this more-than-century old cartridge all (most) deer hunters need? With bullet-extracting tools in hand, they circle the wagons on the gel blocks and pull projectile…

Comfort and comradery to saving your life, the ability to reliably start a fire under any circumstance mother nature can throw at you is imperative. Expert hunter and outdoorsman Remi Warren has started a lot of fires in a wide variety of conditions (all controlled and safely put out). Learn what he’s learned and practice fire starting when it does…

There’s a lot going on and a lot you can do with the EBR-7D reticle, but you need to know how to use it. Vortex Edge® instructor Corey Eliasson drops by to break down the EBR-7D reticle. Extremely well thought out, every feature of this reticle has purpose and meaning. Tune in to hear all about it and decide for yourself. As always, we want to hear…

Fur prices are in the tank. Perfect! There’s never been a better time to hunt raccoons. Populations have boomed, they are plentiful, and these callable critters are fun to hunt. Mark Boardman, Erik Barber, and Ryan Muckenhirn aren’t professional coon hunters, but they share what they know in this podcast and make a pact to chase coons together befo…

If you’ve ever fired a shot, you used gunpowder. This substance is integral to the ultimate function of every firearm and firearm discipline. Hunting, recreational shooting, self-defense, law enforcement, military conflict — gunpowder was there. It shaped our country, kept us alive, and keeps us safe today. But how much thought have you put into th…

High-stepping .17’s, your good old .223, the lightning-fast 22-250, or the dog-anchoring .243? Which of these cartridges takes the coyote crown. Or is it another? Just about every cartridge has taken a coyote at one time or another, but what’s the best coyote cartridge and why? Mark Boardman, Ryan Muckenhirn, and in-house coyote connoisseur, Bill K…

It’s time to go ballistic – GeoBallistics® that is. You can’t shoot long range without an accurate ballistic solution. The GeoBallistics app gives you that solution in an intuitive, easy-to-operate format. Accounts for all shot influencing variables with specific modes and features optimized for your shooting application. Integrates seamlessly with…

It’s open season on Mark and Ryan as Jim peppers them with questions. What is the animal we should open a season for? Is there a definitive answer when it comes to the best shotgun for bunny busting? As per usual, there’s a bunch of in-between antics and exchanges you won’t want to miss. Can Mark eke out a win or will Jim gun down his hopes of a vi…