About this episode
In this episode, I sit down with Jake from Unknown Munitions for a deep dive into the origins, growth, and ethos of one of the most respected names in precision ammunition. We explore Jake’s unexpected shift from a safe corporate job into launching a reloading empire, what it takes to build a scalable business without selling out, and the real-world implications of trying to balance quality, growth, and authenticity in the hunting and shooting space. We also get into the nuts and bolts of reloading, discuss rifle upgrades, and troubleshoot real-world load development issues. If you’re passionate about rifles, gear, and building something from the ground up—this one’s for you. Chapters 00:00 – How Unknown Munitions Came to Be 09:00 – Scope Trends, Maven RS.1.2, and Market Gaps 18:30 – Taking the Leap: Leaving the Corporate World 26:00 – Navigating Growth Without Sacrificing Quality 34:30 – Building Custom Ammunition: Customer Lifecycle 41:00 – The Hybrid Hunter and the Rise of DIY Precision 48:00 – How Not to Scale: Lessons from Sitka & First Lite 59:00 – Gear Talk: Barrel Coatings, Bottom Metal & Mags 1:13:00 – Reloading Deep Dive: Load Development and Data 1:31:00 – Cross-Border Gear, Legal Loopholes & Upcoming Events Jake Mushaney / Unknown Munitions https://www.unknownmunitions.com/ https://www.instagram.com/unknownmunitions/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podcast Free Backcountry Nutrition Guide https://www.mindfulhunter.com/tools