Small Calibers for Big Game? Ethics, Ballistics & Reality | Gun Talk Hunt

Gun Talk

Gun Talk Media

Leisure, News, Politics, Hobbies

4.4 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 23 August 2025

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Are small calibers ethical for big game hunting? In this high-caliber episode of Gun Talk Hunt, host KJ sits down with a powerhouse panel of expert hunters, including Jeff Johnston, Tyler Freel, and Brian Krebs, to challenge the conventional wisdom around rifle calibers, terminal ballistics, recoil management, and ethical shot placement.

Whether you're a seasoned western hunter or prepping for your first big game trip, this episode delivers science-backed insights, real-world case studies, and practical advice on selecting the right caliber — for both your confidence and your quarry.

This Gun Talk Hunt is brought to you by Savage Arms, Range Ready Studios, Timney Triggers, and Remington Ammunition.

About Gun Talk Hunt
Gun Talk Media's Gun Talk Hunt, with Kevin “KJ” Jarnagin, pairs decades of experience with today’s latest tools and technology to help you succeed in the field. Whether it runs or flies - no matter what game you pursue - Gun Talk Hunt is a multi-platform podcast that gives today’s hunters a voice in the digital world.

For more content from Gun Talk Media, visit guntalk.com or subscribe on YouTube, Rumble, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Catch First Person Defender on the new Official FPD YouTube channel. Catch Gun Talk Hunt on the new dedicated YouTube Channel. Listen to all Gun Talk Podcasts with Spreaker, iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts.

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Gun Talk Hunt 08.23.25

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Transcript

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0:00.0	On this episode of Gun Talk Hunt, you're going to notice a few changes. We got a great panel today,
0:04.4	and we're talking big game, but we're talking very small calibers. What's too small for the big game?
0:11.7	I'm KJ. You've found the right place. We go all over this little blue orb, sharing stories and tactics about chasing wild game.
0:23.0	Now, let's get on the hunt.
0:29.2	Welcome in Gun Talk Hunters.
0:31.1	This episode is brought to you by Remington Ammo, Savage Arms, Range Ready Studios, and Timney Triggers.
0:41.7	Man, you're already noticing all the new things around here on Gun Talk Hunt,
0:49.7	the new set, the new logo, a whole panel of guests each week dedicated around one central theme.
0:52.0	And it's all new guests all the time.
1:12.0	This week's panel is a big panel, but we're talking about small calibers. First, let's jump right in all the way from Oklahoma. Jeff, how you doing, man? Not too shabby. Can't complain. How are you? Dude, I can't complain, honestly. Like, it's a good day. It's a great new look to the show and we're trying something else different we're going to continue with this with great panelists like
1:16.6	yourself but first let's talk small calibers big game let's jump into the ethics of this thing
1:24.3	and and minimum calibers for big game what do the ethics look like on that
1:31.1	hmm well you know you're putting me on the spot with this because uh you you you closely guarded
1:38.1	your topics but this happens to be a topic that i love so let's dive in uh let's start here there's a reason that I love. So let's dive in. Let's start here. There's a reason that the 22 long
1:48.2	rifle, the 223, the AR-15 are so popular. That's because they don't recoil a lot. And you can even
1:57.3	put the 6.5 Creedmoor in that lot because most people don't handle recoil that well.
2:03.7	They shoot from the bench.
2:05.7	A lot of people's technique isn't even perfect.
2:07.6	But I think when you're shooting animals, I think that a couple of things in the equation that add up to energy.
2:16.1	And I really believe you need a bullet that has energy for big game.
2:19.7	And that is velocity times the mass of that bullet.
2:22.6	And then the other factor that you need is a well-constructed bullet.
	...

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