The Hornady Podcast

On this episode, Seth Swerczek joins Mitch Mittelstaedt and Matt George to clear up decades of confusion surrounding 5.56 and 223 Remington. From chamber dimensions and pressure testing to 223 Wylde, the team breaks down the differences and explains Hornady's role in establishing the new SAAMI standard for 5.56 Commercial. Real test data, historical context, and answers to one of shooting's most debated cartridge comparisons.

On this episode, Seth Swerczek joins Jason Hornady, Dave Emary, and Jayden Quinlan to celebrate 15 years of Critical Duty. What began as a challenge to win an FBI contract became a story of persistence, innovation, and demanding ballistic testing. The team shares the breakthroughs, setbacks, and behind-the-scenes stories that brought Critical Duty to life, explains what sets it apart from Critical Defense, and reflects on the responsibility of making ammunition trusted by those who protect and serve.

On this episode, Seth Swerczek joins Matt Ritchie to break down his do-it-all 25 Creedmoor. From NRL Hunter matches to deer hunts and coyote calling, Matt walks through the components and choices behind a versatile rifle built for competition and the field.

On this episode, Seth Swerczek and Matt Ritchie join Geoff Nemnich to talk daytime raccoon calling. From finding promising locations to choosing calls and keeping setups simple, Geoff shares tips for an exciting hunt that's easy to get into—and a great way to introduce young hunters to predator calling.

Host Seth Swerczek joins Jayden Quinlan and Miles Neville for a deep dive into Hornady's new SBR Suppressed ammunition. The team explains how purpose-built propellants and bullet selection address the unique demands of short-barreled, suppressed firearms—from gas system timing and accuracy to reduced flash, heat, and fouling. They also cover the initial cartridge lineup and what to expect when using this ammunition in other platforms.

Host Seth Swerczek joins Neil Davies and Joe Thielen for a look at Hornady's new products for 2027. From SBR Suppressed ammunition and Critical Defense Heavy Magnum 12 gauge to new bullets, reloading tools, and VEXIS biometric security, the team shares what's new and the ideas behind it. Discover how the team's experience in the field and on the range shapes products for fellow hunters and shooters.

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Host Seth Swerczek sits down with Hornady's Kyle Brockhaus to break down his lightweight bolt-action 6 ARC hunting rifle. From component selection and handloading to the 90 gr CX and real-world hunting performance, they cover the thought process behind building a compact, low-recoil rifle that's ready for everything from antelope to whitetails.

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with the team from TENET Suppressors to ask a controversial question: Do muzzle brakes belong on suppressors? They explore the engineering behind TENET's braked suppressor systems and how they balance recoil reduction, sound suppression, weight, and the ability to spot impacts in the field.

On this episode of the Hornady Podcast, host Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and Preston Lentfer to examine whether primer selection and seating depth affect accuracy, velocity consistency, and reliability. Backed by extensive testing and real-world data, the group separates meaningful results from statistical noise and explains what reloaders should be aware of at the bench.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Preston Lentfer to take a closer look at the 338 ARC in a bolt-action rifle. They break down Preston's component choices, and what makes this traditionally AR-focused cartridge such a fun and capable option in a bolt gun—from quiet subsonic shooting to hunting applications.

In this episode, Seth Swerczek is joined by Preston Lentfer and Project Engineer Matt Mack to explore VEXIS from Hornady Security. They break down how VEXIS uses palm-vein recognition technology to provide fast, reliable access to safes and vault doors, how the technology works, and why it represents an exciting step forward in biometric security.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Assistant Director of Engineering Joe Thielen and Project Engineer Miles Neville to introduce two new A-Tip bullets: the 120 grain 6mm and 177 grain 30 caliber. The crew dives into the engineering behind these new designs, why bullet weights continue to push heavier, and how modern technology is opening the door to new levels of ballistic performance.

In this episode, Seth and Jayden Quinlan sit down with Kurtis Palu and Sam Carlson from Thunder Beast Arms Co. to dive into the science and engineering behind precision suppressors. From Thunder Beast's roots in precision rifle shooting to sound, recoil, repeatability, and real-world performance, the crew explores what it takes to build a suppressor that precision shooters can rely on.

In this episode, Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and special guest Andrew Wright from SureFire to explore the engineering behind gear built for demanding use. From suppressor design, back pressure, sound and flash reduction to illumination, durability, and real-world performance, the conversation dives into what really matters when equipment simply can't fail.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Matt Ritchie and Evan Dextraze of The Ultimate Hunting Experience to discuss a new approach to hunter education. From practical field skills and marksmanship to competition and conservation, they explore how The Ultimate Hunting Experience is helping hunters become more capable, confident, and prepared for success in the field.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by ballistician Jacob Morrow to break down his ideal do-all 6mm ARC rifle build. From component selection and rifle configuration to the intended applications, Jacob explains what makes this setup versatile enough for everything from target shooting to hunting. If you're considering a 6mm ARC build, this episode offers practical insight into creating a rifle that does it all.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Jayden Quinlan to tackle one of the most debated topics in long-range shooting: where does the wind matter most? Using real-world examples, predictive simulations, and practical ballistic principles, Jayden breaks down how wind at different points along the bullet's flight affects hit probability. If you've ever wondered whether to focus on the wind at the shooter, in between, or at the target, this episode will help you make better wind calls and more consistent hits.

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with legendary competitive shooter Doug Koenig to discuss the mindset behind decades of championship success. From his introduction to practical shooting and the lessons learned through competition to handling pressure, hunting, training, and continual improvement, Doug shares the principles that have made him one of the most accomplished shooters in the world—and how they apply far beyond the competition range.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and Preston Lentfer to explore the history, evolution, and enduring popularity of the 6mm (.243") caliber. From the groundbreaking 6mm Lee Navy and 243 Winchester to modern favorites like the 6 ARC, 6 Creedmoor, and beyond, the crew breaks down why the 6mm family has remained a favorite for hunters, competitors, and shooters for more than a century—and debates whether it truly is the best all-around caliber.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by NRA Media's Mark Keefe and Hornady Senior Ballistic Scientist Emeritus Dave Emary to trace 250 years of bullet innovation. From round balls and Minié bullets to jacketed projectiles, polymer tips, and modern designs like the A-Tip, the trio explores the breakthroughs that have shaped shooting, hunting, and ammunition technology from America's founding to today.

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with Foundation Stocks founder Jon Kyle Truitt to discuss the story behind one of the most successful rifle stock companies in precision shooting. From building a business from scratch and developing the first Micarta rifle stocks to the science of recoil management, hunting, competition, and family, this episode explores what makes Foundation Stocks truly built different.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by NRA Media's Mark Keefe, Hornady President Steve Hornady, and Vice President Jason Hornady for a look behind the scenes at some of Hornady's most interesting products. From the 17 HMR, 450 Marlin, and Ruger Compact Magnums to the 30 TC and more, the group shares untold stories, product launch memories, hunting adventures, and lessons learned from decades of innovation in the shooting industry.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Christian Chatelier of Dead Air and Hornady's Miles Neville for a deep dive into the world of suppressors. From mounting systems and point-of-impact shift to muzzle velocity, drag, and real-world hunting performance, the crew separates fact from fiction and explains why more shooters than ever are making the move to suppressed rifles. Whether you're new to suppressors or looking to optimize your setup, this episode has something for you.

Host Seth Swerczek and Preston Lentfer continue the budget precision rifle project by breaking down the upgrades made to the Glenfield Model A in 6.5 Creedmoor. From aftermarket parts to setup changes, the duo compares the new dispersion results using the same Hornady ammunition from Part 1 to see whether the upgrades improved performance—or made things worse.

Host Seth Swerczek and Preston Lentfer put a bone-stock Glenfield Model A in 6.5 Creedmoor to the test to see just how much precision you can get on a budget. From the scope, rings, and bipod setup to testing three varieties of Hornady ammunition, the duo establishes a baseline for the rifle's dispersion capability before diving into upgrades. Stay tuned for Part 2, where aftermarket modifications are added to see if the improvements make a difference.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Hornady's Jayden Quinlan and Greg Hamilton of Proof Research to break down Proof's new exponential twist rifling technology. From improved accuracy, reduced rifle torque, extended barrel life, and improved drag performance, this episode dives into how PXT works, what it means for shooters, and where barrel technology is headed next.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Preston Lentfer for another installment of the wildcat build series, breaking down Seth's 257 Roberts AI rifle. From barrel and stock to optics and accessories, they dive into the reasoning behind each component and what makes this custom setup come together for performance in the field.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by David Draper of Petersen's Hunting to discuss the reality of wolves on today's landscape. From their Arctic wolf hunt experience to the broader impact on caribou, livestock, and ecosystems, the conversation explores the balance between admiration for these apex predators and the need for responsible management.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Jayden Quinlan and Miles Neville to break down what actually drives accuracy in precision shooting. From bullet selection and velocity to SD and dispersion, the crew explores the trade-offs between each "knob" you can turn—and why chasing the wrong one can hurt your performance. Backed by real data and practical examples, this episode helps shooters understand what matters most, and when it matters.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and Preston Lentfer to take a closer look at powder temperature sensitivity and its real impact on performance. Using hands-on examples, Miles compares "unstable" and temperature-stable powders to show what actually happens downrange. While the differences are worth understanding, the results may not be as dramatic as many expect—making this a practical conversation about what truly matters for consistency.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Matt Ritchie and NRL Hunter founder Travis Ishida to break down the evolution of NRL Hunter and why it's redefining modern hunting. From practical rifle setups and cartridge selection to the balance between competition and real-world application, this episode explores how NRL Hunter builds more capable, confident shooters in the field.

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with Allterra Arms founder Drew Foster and Dave Barnes to explore what it really takes to build a precision rifle from the ground up. From innovative action and barrel design to the realities of manufacturing and maintaining tight tolerances, this episode dives into the engineering behind accuracy, reliability, and consistency in the field.

In this episode, we sit down to talk all things stability and why it's the foundation of precision shooting in the field. From real-world hunting scenarios to gear innovation, we break down how the right support system can make or break your shot.
We dive into the design philosophy behind Spartan Precision Equipment, what sets them apart in terms of weight, versatility, and performance, and how modern hunters are rethinking the way they approach shooting positions in challenging terrain.
Whether you're chasing ounces in the backcountry or looking to tighten your groups at distance, this conversation highlights...

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with fan favorite Joe Thielen to break down the build behind his ultralight 6.5 PRC hunting rifle. From barrel and stock to optics and accessories, they dive into the reasoning behind each component—creating a lightweight, versatile setup built to go anywhere and perform in the field.

Host Seth Swerczek and Neil Davies sit down with Pedro Ampuero to explore his background and experiences in hunting around the world. From how he got started to lessons learned in the field, this episode dives into the stories, challenges, and perspectives that have shaped Pedro's journey as a hunter.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Miles Neville and Preston Lentfer to answer a question, that frankly, we get a lot… "Can match bullets be used for hunting?" In this episode the guys dive deep into what really matters when choosing a hunting bullet. Breaking down the key differences between ELD Match bullets and ELD-X hunting bullets. Covering how each is designed, manufactured and tested, and what that ultimately means for terminal performance. Let's find out!

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Jayden Quinlan, Joe Thielen, and Miles Neville for a deep dive into copper expanding bullet design. From how Hornady designs copper bullets to match specific cartridge needs to the latest advancements in the CX line and real-world terminal performance, this episode breaks down the science behind modern copper hunting projectiles.

Host Seth Swerczek sits down with Josh Smith of Montana Knife Company to talk about his journey from bladesmith to building one of the fastest-growing knife brands in America. They dive into what separates a quality hunting knife from a cheap one—covering steel, heat treat, design, and what really matters when it's time to put a blade to work in the field.

Host Seth Swerczek is joined by Assistant Director of Engineering Joe Thielen to break down the build behind Joe's Tactical Class .308 Win PRS rifle. From barrel and stock to optics, trigger, and muzzle brake, they dive into the component selection process and the reasoning behind each choice for competitive precision rifle shooting and podium finishes.