Red, White and Moose

Welcome back to Red, White and Moose! In this episode, Mike breaks down his recent run at the NRL Hunter Cactus Classic, put on by Clayton Smith at the incredible 26,000-acre Hawks Double Mountain Ranch in Rotan, Texas.
Coming off knee surgery just six weeks prior, Mike decided to have some fun and test himself by running his heavy-hitting .300 Norma. He gives an honest, unfiltered after-action report of his weekend, starting with a mentally grueling Saturday plagued by target-finding struggles, mental fog, and unexpected data issues that led to zeroing three stages. Mike explains exactly how he dug deep, trusted his process, and executed a massive Sunday comeback, climbing nearly 30 spots up the leaderboard to finish 22nd overall.
Mike also dives deep into his gear performance, sharing initial impressions of the Vortex Talon binoculars versus his Swarovski ELs, the undeniable recoil mitigation of the Botnia Maxi suppressor, and why the Foundation stock's hybrid construction is an absolute game-changer. Plus, hear about Clayton Smith’s tricky stage designs, the incredible prize tables, and a huge shoutout to the match winner, Alec Cochran.
Topics Covered in this Episode:
Recap of the NRL Hunter Cactus Classic at Hawks Double Mountain Ranch.

Running a .300 Norma dynamically: Gear breakdown, recoil management, and performance.

The Mental Game: Bouncing back from zeroed stages, bad data, and mental fog.

Pro-Tips: Why you should run a timer on stages and how to find targets in challenging terrain.

Upcoming matches, including the final leg of the Texas Triple Crown: The Dust Devil Duel.

In this episode of Red, White & Moose, the focus is on a deep dive into hunting cartridge selection, challenging the traditional mindset that bigger is always better. The core argument advocates for prioritizing speed over bullet mass for most hunting scenarios (particularly whitetail-sized game). By stepping down in bullet diameter and pushing velocities to 3,000+ FPS (using cartridges like the 22 Creedmoor, 6mm variants, or 6.5 PRC), hunters can achieve flatter trajectories, immense hydrostatic shock, and significantly less recoil.
The episode covers the practical pros and cons of this approach, addressing common concerns like meat damage, barrel life (which is largely a non-issue for standard hunting rifles), and the pitfalls of chasing velocity by overloading powder versus optimizing barrel length.

In this episode, we are taking a massive deep dive into preparing for an NRL match from start to finish. If you want to stop bleeding points on the clock and start dominating stages, this one is for you.
We break down everything from the gear you actually need (and what you don't) to the advanced strategies that separate the top tier from the middle of the pack.
What we cover:
The Gear Rundown: Tripods, bino harnesses, tac plates, binos and more

Cartridge Selection: Why you might want to rethink that 6.5 Creedmoor to game the NRL Power Factor.

Data & Weather: How to true up your Kestrel and binos using Weather Underground station pressures before you ever leave the house.

Stage Execution: The secret to asking your ROs the right yes-or-no questions without leading them.

Wind Calling Math: Simplifying gun numbers, crosswind values , and making rapid wind calls on the clock.

Position Building: Why going prone whenever the shooting position allows is the ultimate hack, and how to use your reticle as a ruler for rapid corrections .

This episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to run a precision rifle match, covering target math, stage setup, terrain challenges, and tips for success. Hosted by Mike Burdis, it offers valuable insights for shooters and match organizers alike.

In this episode of Red, White & Moose, Mike Burdis checks in after attending the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) in Atlanta. He showcases several high-end gear acquisitions, including a collaboration knife between Grayboe and Half Face Blades, a Montana Knife Company Speed Goat 2.0, and innovative Tulu Broadheads capable of impressive 100-yard groups.
The tone shifts as Mike details a serious medical scare; after his knee "gave out" at the end of the show, the intense pain caused him to lose consciousness on a Delta flight home. With an MRI pending, his 2026 hunting and match schedule is currently in limbo. Finally, Mike dives into the details for the 2026 Dust Devil Duel in Amarillo, Texas. He highlights the "Texas Triple Crown" series, the challenging West Texas winds, and the unique trophies—custom Winkler Ridgeline hatchets—awaiting the winners.