---
title: "Podcast: Jack O’Connor Was Right All Along"
description: "In this episode of the Outdoor Life Podcast, shooting editor John B. Snow explains how Jack O'Connor was (mostly) right about everything."
date: "2025-09-25"
modified: "2025-09-25"
authors:
  - name: "Alex Robinson"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/alex-robinson/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/podcast-jack-oconnor-was-right/"
categories:
  - "Ammo"
  - "Guns"
  - "Rifle Ammo"
tags:
  - "News"
---

# Podcast: Jack O’Connor Was Right All Along

![illustration of jack o'connor with big-game animals and rifle cartridge](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/23/cover_art.jpg>)
*This illustration of O’Connor, by Roy Andersen, ran on the cover of the July 1980 issue. Roy Andersen*

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CyRK6IXjpIvn9ouvKDjkA?si=-FAt7yq0RZaHl9xH8rZVFw

Many of us still consider [the late Jack O’Connor](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/remembering-jack-oconnor-outdoor-writer/>) to be the greatest outdoor writer of all time. The narratives that he wove and the adventures he detailed helped inspire many current writers and editors to chase the profession.

Reading back through Jack’s old stories, many of which are [being republished on OutdoorLife.com](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/jack-o-connor/>), it’s incredible how many of the concepts and ideas that he wrote about back then are still relevant today. After all, Jack was OL’s arms and ammunition editor for more than 30 years, and he did most of his work for us between the 1940s and 1960s. So much in the shooting and hunting world has changed since then — but perhaps not as drastically as we sometimes like to think.

In this episode of the podcast, our current shooting editor, John B. Snow talks about how Jack impacted his own writing and perspectives. He also explains how, unfortunately, many of the misconceptions that Jack battled against back then, are still a problem today.

**Related:** [The .270 Isn’t Powerful Enough? Jack O’Connor Took His on a 30-Day African Safari](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/jack-o-connor-270-safari/>)

Since OL was established in 1898, there have been only five shooting editors. So if there’s anyone who can offer some insight on Jack’s writing and how the shooting and hunting world have evolved over time, it’s the current man at the helm.

*Listen to this week's episode of the Outdoor Life Podcast on [Apple](<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jack-oconnor-was-right-all-along/id1560573207?i=1000728188579&itscg=30200&itsct=podcast_box&ls=1&mttnsubad=1000728188579>), [Spotify](<https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CyRK6IXjpIvn9ouvKDjkA?si=1s5Fwii5SMqXuVe41e_7ow>), or wherever you get your shows.*

## Author
Alex Robinson is *Outdoor Life’s* editor-in-chief. He oversees an ace team of writers, photographers, and editors who are scattered across the continent and cover everything from backcountry sheep hunting to trail running. He lives in Grant, Minnesota, with his supportive wife, two little girls, and a feral duck dog.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-robinson-7452461b9/>)