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EP 181: Utah Airguns

Gunwerks
Published on January 15, 2025
Category: Training & Techniques
Duration: 51:45

This episode delves into the world of high-end pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifles with Justin Jacobson of Utah Airguns. The discussion covers the technical advancements in modern airguns, their accuracy, near-silent operation, and the growing sport of airgun competition. It also touches on the practical applications for hunting, backyard shooting, and training, highlighting the importance of proper optics and ballistic calculations for effective long-range airgun use.

Tags

PCP Air Rifles
High-End Airguns
Airgun Competition
Ballistic Coefficient
Wind Reading
Airgun Hunting
Slug Shooting
Pellet Shooting
Adjustable Parallax
Airgun Tuning
Utah Airguns
Long Range Pursuit Podcast

Quick Summary

High-end PCP air rifles achieve exceptional accuracy through advanced valving technology, precise pressure regulators, and superior barrel manufacturing, allowing for consistent projectile velocity. Their near-silent operation and lack of recoil make them ideal for backyard shooting, practice, and family fun, with ammunition being significantly cheaper than firearms.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Long Range Pursuit Podcast & Guest
  2. 00:39Justin Jacobson of Utah Airguns Joins the Podcast
  3. 01:02Why Gunwerks is Discussing Airguns
  4. 02:07Walk Through Wednesday Collaboration
  5. 03:01Growth of the Airgun Sport
  6. 03:30Utah Airguns: Retailer of High-End Air Rifles
  7. 03:47PCP Air Rifles Explained
  8. 04:08Accuracy, Silence, and No Recoil of Airguns
  9. 04:53What Makes an Airgun 'High-End'?
  10. 05:23Valving, Regulators, and Barrel Technology
  11. 05:57Velocity Control and Consistency
  12. 06:56High-End Airguns and Price Point
  13. 07:13Origin Story of Utah Airguns
  14. 08:09Early Airgun Sales and Testing
  15. 09:06Separating Airgun Business
  16. 09:32Airgun Competitions and Customization
  17. 10:04Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge
  18. 11:01Defining Long Range in Airgunning
  19. 11:16Big Bore Airgun Projectiles
  20. 11:30Precision Airgun Competitions (PRS/NRL Style)
  21. 13:14Utah Airguns' Custom Build and Tuning Model
  22. 14:15Pioneering Quality Control in Airguns
  23. 15:03Utah Airguns' New Facility and Range
  24. 16:03Growth from Gas Station to Large Facility
  25. 16:26Why People Enter the Airgun Space
  26. 16:36Backyard Friendly Shooting and Cost Savings
  27. 17:12Family Friendly Shooting and Trigger Time
  28. 17:54Airgun Regulations and FFL Transfers
  29. 18:09Getting Started with Airguns: The Consultation Process
  30. 18:33Determining Purpose and Budget
  31. 19:34Where Will You Shoot Your Airgun?
  32. 20:42Entry-Level Airgun Costs and Rig Components
  33. 21:07Air Supply Options: Hand Pump vs. Compressors vs. Tanks
  34. 22:45Airgun Price Range: Entry to High-End
  35. 23:08Average Airgun Sale Price
  36. 23:26Optics for Airguns: Specific Considerations
  37. 23:42Break Barrel vs. PCP Airgun Scope Requirements
  38. 24:08Importance of Adjustable Parallax
  39. 24:48Elevation Adjustment and Dialing
  40. 25:38Stock Styles: Traditional vs. Tactical
  41. 25:54Functional Benefits of Different Stock Designs
  42. 26:04FX Airguns Classic Stock Design
  43. 26:31Sacrifices in Air Reservoir Size
  44. 27:10Airgun Caliber Recommendations
  45. 27:27Matching Caliber to Application (Plinking, Small Game, Big Game)
  46. 28:31Big Bore Airguns for Deer and Larger Game
  47. 29:01The Future of Airgun Capabilities
  48. 29:39The Airgun Industry as an Infant Stage
  49. 29:42Gunwerks Training Facility and Long Range University
  50. 30:07Mapping Bullet Trajectory and Wind Deflection
  51. 30:21Ballistic Apps and Data Input
  52. 31:04Smart Optics and Ballistic Solvers
  53. 31:16Ballistic App Recommendations (Revic Optics)
  54. 31:44Importance of Accurate Ballistic Data
  55. 32:05Airgun Projectile Data in Ballistic Apps
  56. 32:26Drag Standards for Airguns (G1 vs. Custom)
  57. 32:43Pellet Ballistics and Drag Stabilization
  58. 33:15Truing Ballistic Profiles
  59. 34:00Airgun Hunting: Big Game Market Growth
  60. 34:35SEMI Recognition of Airguns for Hunting
  61. 35:13Popular Airgun Calibers for Hunting
  62. 35:24Airguns Capable of Shooting Arrows
  63. 36:41Airgun Hunting Regulations in Utah
  64. 37:37Challenges in Airgun Hunting Legislation (P&R Tax)
  65. 39:58Leading States in Airgun Hunting Adoption
  66. 40:51WTA Peterson and the 29 North America Challenge
  67. 41:18Personal Big Game Hunting Experiences with Airguns
  68. 42:11Ammunition Cost Range for Airguns
  69. 43:00Impact of Rimfire Ammunition Shortages on Airgun Sales
  70. 44:15Airguns as a Training Tool for Wind Reading
  71. 45:22Mimicking Firearm Ballistics with Airguns
  72. 46:10Airguns as a Trainer for Recoil Mitigation
  73. 46:38Lead Time for Airgun Purchases
  74. 47:37Utah Airguns as FX Airguns US Distributor
  75. 48:17How to Contact Utah Airguns
  76. 49:22The Growing Sport of Airgunning
  77. 50:09Utah Airguns at the Hunt Expo
  78. 50:45Conclusion and Thanks
  79. 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 PCP air rifles achieve exceptional accuracy through advanced valving technology, precise pressure regulators, and superior barrel manufacturing. These components allow for fine-tuned control over the compressed air delivery, resulting in consistent projectile velocity, often with spreads of only a few feet per second.

Why are airguns becoming increasingly popular for shooting sports and hunting?

Airguns offer several advantages: they are backyard-friendly due to their quiet operation and lack of recoil, ammunition is significantly cheaper than firearms, and they provide extensive trigger time. This makes them ideal for practice, family fun, and even ethical hunting in many regions.

What should I look for in an optic for an air rifle?

For air rifles, especially PCP models, an optic with adjustable parallax is crucial, ideally parallaxing down to 25 yards or closer. This ensures accuracy at the shorter ranges typical for airgun use. Unlike spring-piston guns, PCP airguns do not have recoil, so standard rifle scopes can be used if they meet parallax requirements.

Can airguns be used for hunting big game?

Yes, the big game hunting market for airguns is growing, with some states legalizing their use. Larger caliber airguns (.30 cal and up) are capable of ethically harvesting big game. Some airguns can even shoot arrows, and organizations like SCI are now creating separate categories for airgun entries.

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