EP 181: Utah Airguns

Published on January 15, 2025
Duration: 51:45

Justin Jacobson of Utah Airguns discusses the growing world of high-end air rifles, focusing on their capabilities for hunting and competition. He highlights the precision, near-silent operation, and low recoil of PCP airguns, making them accessible and effective. The conversation touches on the increasing recognition of airguns in hunting, including new categories in record books and evolving state regulations, while also detailing the technical aspects of airgun performance and customization.

Quick Summary

High-end air rifles, particularly PCP models, offer extreme accuracy due to advanced valving, regulators, and barrels, enabling velocity control down to a foot per second. They are near-silent, recoil-free, and increasingly recognized for hunting, with some states and organizations like SCI now supporting their use for big game.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Long Range Pursuit Podcast & Guest
  2. 00:39Introducing Utah Airguns and the Topic of Airguns
  3. 01:02Why Gunwerks is Discussing Airguns
  4. 02:07Walk Through Wednesdays Collaboration
  5. 02:35Diving into Airguns: Growth and Interest
  6. 03:28Utah Airguns: Retailer of High-End Air Rifles
  7. 04:04What Makes Airguns Accurate and Precise
  8. 04:53Defining High-End Airguns: Technology and Components
  9. 06:03Consistency: Velocity Spread and Standard Deviation
  10. 07:13The Origin Story of Utah Airguns
  11. 09:06Separating the Business: Renting a Shop and Building a Website
  12. 09:30Involvement in Airgun Competitions
  13. 10:02Hosting the Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge
  14. 11:01Defining Long Range in Airgun Shooting
  15. 11:30Precision Competition with Airguns (PRS/NRL Style)
  16. 12:24Elaborate Competition Stages and Themes
  17. 13:14Utah Airguns' Custom Build and Tuning Model
  18. 14:15Pioneering Quality Control in the Airgun Industry
  19. 15:03The New Utah Airguns Location and In-Store Range
  20. 16:03Growth from Gas Station to Large Facility
  21. 16:23Why People Enter the Airgun Space
  22. 16:36Backyard Friendly Shooting and Cost-Effectiveness
  23. 17:14Family Friendliness and Reduced Barriers to Entry
  24. 17:52Shipping Regulations and FFL Transfers
  25. 18:09Guiding New Airgun Shooters: Key Questions
  26. 19:34Determining Shooting Location: Truck Gun vs. Bench Rest
  27. 20:42Price Range for Entry-Level to High-End Airgun Rigs
  28. 21:07Air Supply Options: Hand Pumps, Compressors, and Tanks
  29. 22:45Cost Breakdown: Guns, Optics, and Air Supply
  30. 23:26Optics for Airguns: Adjustable Parallax is Key
  31. 23:45Why Specific Scopes Are Needed for Break Barrel Airguns
  32. 24:48Elevation Adjustment and Dialing vs. Holding Over
  33. 25:38Stock Styles: Traditional vs. Tactical
  34. 26:04FX DRS Classic: Air Tank Around the Barrel
  35. 27:10Airgun Caliber Selection: Purpose and Performance
  36. 27:27Matching Caliber to Application: Small Game to Big Game
  37. 28:35Extreme Calibers: 72 Caliber Air Rifles
  38. 29:01The Infant Industry of Airguns and Future Evolution
  39. 29:39Shooting at the Gunwerks Training Facility
  40. 30:07Mapping Bullet Trajectory: Drop and Wind Deflection
  41. 30:21Using Ballistic Apps: Revic Optics App
  42. 31:04Importance of Ballistic Solvers and Data Input
  43. 32:01Compiling Airgun Projectile Data for Ballistic Apps
  44. 32:26Ballistic Drag Scales for Pellets vs. Slugs
  45. 33:15Truing the Ballistic Profile
  46. 34:00The Application of Airguns for Youth and Practice
  47. 34:13SCI's Recognition of Airguns for Big Game Hunting
  48. 34:21The Big Game Hunting Market with Airguns
  49. 35:00Hunting Seasons and Airgun Usage
  50. 35:24Airguns Capable of Shooting Arrows
  51. 36:41Airgun Hunting Regulations in Utah
  52. 37:34The Pitman-Robertson Tax and Conservation Funding
  53. 39:58Leading States in Airgun Hunting Adoption
  54. 40:51Partnership with WTA Peterson and SCI Recognition
  55. 41:18Personal Big Game Hunting Experience with Airguns
  56. 42:01Ammunition Costs: Slugs vs. Pellets
  57. 43:00Impact of Rimfire Ammunition Shortages on Airgun Sales
  58. 43:48Airguns as a Practice Tool for Firearm Shooters
  59. 44:31Wind Reading and Airgun Shooting
  60. 45:22Mimicking Centerfire Rifle Ballistics with Airguns for Practice
  61. 46:38Lead Time for Airgun Orders
  62. 47:37Utah Airguns as US Distributor for FX Airguns
  63. 48:17How to Contact Utah Airguns
  64. 49:22The Growing Sport of Airgun Competition
  65. 50:09Utah Airguns Exhibiting at the Hunt Expo
  66. 50:27Morning Shooting Session and Friendly Banter
  67. 50:51Concluding Remarks and Appreciation
  68. 51:07Podcast Outro and Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes high-end air rifles like those from Utah Airguns so accurate?

High-end air rifles achieve exceptional accuracy through advanced technology, including precise valving, pressure regulators, and high-quality barrels. This allows for tight control over air release, resulting in consistent projectile velocity, often with spreads of only a few feet per second, and minimal recoil.

Can airguns be used for hunting big game, and what are the regulations?

Yes, airguns are increasingly capable of ethically harvesting big game, with some states legalizing their use. The SCI now has a separate record book category for airguns. Regulations vary by state; for example, in Utah, big game hunting with airguns is currently limited to arrow-shooting models, while fall turkeys can be hunted with air rifles.

What is the typical cost for a high-end air rifle setup?

Entry-level pre-charged airguns can start around $200. A complete setup including an optic and air supply (like a tank) might range from $1,000 to $2,000. High-end air rifles can cost up to $5,000, with Utah Airguns' average sale price being around $1,500.

Why are adjustable parallax scopes important for airguns?

Adjustable parallax scopes are crucial for airguns because they often shoot at closer ranges than traditional firearms. An adjustable parallax allows the shooter to focus the reticle and target at distances as low as 15-25 yards, preventing parallax error and maintaining accuracy, which is often not possible with standard rifle scopes set for 100 yards.

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