The Hornady Podcast

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.