The Steve Austin Show — “Getting Dialed In with The Kraken - SAS CLASSIC”

Air date: November 13, 2025
Location: Broken Skull Ranch 2.0, Nevada
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Jim “The Kraken” Erwin (Former Army Ranger, Delta, shooting instructor)

Episode Overview

This classic episode features Steve Austin at his Broken Skull Ranch in Nevada, joined by Army Ranger and Delta Force veteran Jim “The Kraken” Erwin. The episode is an engaging blend of war stories, technical shooting talk, hunting adventures, and reflections on resilience, camaraderie, and outdoor skills. Austin and Erwin break down what it takes to survive in the field, become a top marksman, and hunt wild game in the American west, while relaying memorable stories from their lives and careers.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Life Updates & Setting the Scene

• Steve’s Personal News:
  • Celebrated his 55th birthday (12/18), followed by his wife’s birthday and their anniversary in the same week.
  • Thanks his audience and supporters for years of wrestling, his shows, his IPA, and his sponsors (Kawasaki, Cold Steel).
  • Describes travel plans: heading from Nevada to LA, then Texas for Christmas and more podcasting.

2. Jim Erwin’s Military Background

• Ranger for Life ([05:26]):

  • "Once you're a Ranger, always a Ranger."
  • Chose Army Rangers over Marines after a fateful no-show by a Marine recruiter and inspiration from a Vietnam vet.

• Army vs. Navy SEALs ([06:51]):

  • SEALs focus on water-based ops, Rangers on land.
  • "They're basically like our sisters...but they do water-based operations. Very similar, right?" — Jim ([07:00])
  • Training is about mental fortitude and toughness, whether humping mountains or enduring Hell Week.

3. Thrill-Seeking, Jump School, and Paratrooping

• Steve’s Fear vs. Jim’s Experience

  • [09:36] Steve jokes: “The last thing I'm going to do is just jump out of a perfectly good airplane with a pillow on my back!”
  • Jim’s jump totals: 300-500 jumps, mix of helicopters and planes ([08:47]).

• On Not Dwelling on Failure:

  • "I plan for it, but I don't dwell on it." — Jim ([11:32])

• Parachute Mishaps:

  • Near-miss story: chute failed to open correctly until the last moment; worst landing involved crashing into a Humvee at night ([13:02]).

4. Marksmanship & Sniper Training

• Origins of Shooting

  • Jim grew up hunting covertly, as his family was anti-hunting; learned by sneaking out with friends ([17:48]).

• Sniper Path:

  • Dreamed of being a Ranger sniper; fascinated by owning a battlespace as one- or two-man teams.

• Technical: Ballistics & Optics

  • Evolution of sniper gear: 1990s M24 .308, Leupold 10x fixed scopes, mil-dot reticles ([21:44]-[24:18]).
  • "In the last five to ten years, we have come further in ballistics than we have in the last 50." — Jim ([21:44])
  • Discusses ballistic advances, the advent of 6.5 Creedmoor, 300 Norma, and mathematical shooting solutions.

• Spotter vs. Shooter Roles:

  • Usually, spotter is more experienced; serious business when calling wind for the shooter ([25:21]).

5. The Modern Evolution of Long-Range Shooting

• 308 vs. 6.5 Creedmoor:

  • .308 not obsolete but has been surpassed for performance; 6.5 Creedmoor now Jim’s go-to ([27:50]).
  • Reasons: creedmoor flies better, less wind drift, less recoil—"You just increased your capabilities by several hundred yards."

• Wind as Equalizer:

  • "Wind is the almighty equalizer." — Jim ([36:29])
  • Analysis at 500+ yards and the importance of factoring spin drift, wind, and elevation into shot calculations.

6. Nevada Mule Deer Hunting Season

• Steve’s Hunt Recap ([31:04]-[65:41]):

  • Describes multi-day, challenging mule deer hunt in Nevada’s Unit 015 with his brother-in-law.
  • Saw almost no deer for days in rough, cold condition.
  • Glassed and stalked a group after spotting them 3 miles away, navigating difficult terrain and technical shooting setups.
  • First missed shot due to conflicting range data; ultimate successful shot at 450 yards, followed by a tough recovery and finish on an old, wary buck.

• Ethics & Meaning of the Hunt:

  • Steve defends hunting as tradition and necessity ([51:17]-[52:55]):
    • "If you don't agree with it, I'm sure there's something in your life that I don't agree with that you do. But I don't care."

• Teamwork & Recovery:

  • Credits brother-in-law’s instincts for recoveries; emphasizes importance of finishing the job and respect for the animal ([63:03]-[65:24]).

7. Navigation Skills & Field Safety

• Lessons from the Field
  • Steve highlights the difficulty of navigating vast terrain; Jim recounts intense night land navigation during Ranger and Delta selection (40 miles, 15.5 hours, 13 map sheets) ([71:41]).
  • Stresses practice, preparation, and always having a partner for safety in the back country ([75:03]).

8. Wrapping Up & Closing Thoughts

• Message to Non-Hunters:

  • Steve: "I don't need you to send me an email or jump on my Instagram account and send me a bunch of hate because there is a thing called delete button." ([76:19])

• Jim’s Training Offerings:

  • Shooting courses (pistol, carbine, long range), CCW in Bakersfield and elsewhere:
    • IG/Facebook: @JimtheKraken1
    • Website: KrakenApproved.com ([76:42])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Once you're a Ranger, always a Ranger.” — Jim Erwin ([05:43])

• On Skydiving:
  “One of the things I appreciate about skydiving is unless pterodactyls come back, you’re never in the food chain.” — Jim ([10:47])

• On wind and shooting at distance:
  “Wind is the almighty equalizer.” — Jim ([36:29])

• “I don't want to look back in life and be like, you know what, man, I wish I would have tried that, right?” — Jim ([10:14])

• “If you don't agree with it, I'm sure there's something in your life that I don't agree with that you do. But I don't care.” — Steve ([52:55])

• “Congratulations on that, man…The challenge of it, the experience of it, the savviness of the animal…” — Jim ([65:24])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Steve’s Intro & Life Updates: [01:26]-[05:20]
• Ranger and Military Training: [05:26]-[11:48]
• Paratrooper Stories: [12:09]-[17:02]
• Sniper Training Begins: [17:16]-[21:39]
• Technical Ballistics & Evolution: [21:39]-[28:42]
• Steve & Jim's Hunting Stories: [31:04]-[65:41]
• Ethics and Perspective on Hunting: [51:17], [76:19]
• Navigation & Survival Lessons: [71:41]-[75:50]
• Closing & Jim’s Info: [76:42]-[77:45]

Summary

This episode is a rich tapestry of war stories, technical expertise, hunting adventures, and life lessons. Steve Austin and Jim Erwin trade tales of the battlefield and backwoods, blending humor, humility, and hardcore knowledge. Jim offers sharp technical insights into firearms, optics, and ballistics, while Steve recounts his real-world hunting trials, failures, comebacks, and the satisfaction of a hard-won experience. The episode closes with mutual respect, a reminder to follow your own code, and an open invitation to join Jim for professional shooting instruction.

For Jim Erwin's shooting classes and info:
Instagram/Facebook: @jimthekraken1
Website: krakenapproved.com
Next training: Bakersfield, Jan 4-5 (see website for updates)

“If you don’t agree with it, cool. But I do me, you do you.” — Steve Austin ([76:22])