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what guns are used in biathlon

In modern biathlon, athletes use specialized small‑bore sporting rifles, not military or high‑power hunting guns. These rifles are highly regulated for safety, fairness, and accuracy in winter conditions.

Quick Scoop

  • Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (also written .22 LR / 5.6 mm rimfire).
  • Action: Manually operated, usually a straight‑pull bolt action for very fast cycling.
  • Magazine: 5‑round magazines (clips) carried on the stock for quick reloads.
  • Weight: Minimum around 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) as required by competition rules.
  • Typical top‑end model: Anschütz 1827 Fortner and similar .22 LR biathlon rifles.

What guns are used in biathlon?

In Olympic and World Cup biathlon today, athletes use purpose‑built biathlon rifles chambered in .22 LR only. Rules specify .22 LR rimfire ammunition with bullet weight and velocity limits, so the rifles are all designed around that cartridge and distance (50 m).

Key features most biathlon rifles share:

  • .22 LR chamber, 5‑shot magazines.
  • Straight‑pull bolt that lets the athlete open/close the action with a short forward‑backward movement without twisting.
  • Adjustable stock (cheek rest, length of pull) optimized for both prone and standing positions.
  • Iron aperture sights with snow and rain covers, not scopes.
  • Sling and harness system so the rifle can be carried on the back while skiing.

Common makes and models

Among elite biathletes, a few manufacturers dominate:

  • Anschütz : Especially the 1827 Fortner straight‑pull .22 LR, by far the most common rifle on the World Cup and Olympic circuit.
  • Others you might see at various levels: rifles from companies like Izhmash/IZH (historically), specialized .22 bolt‑action rifles adapted for biathlon, and club rifles for beginners.

At local and club events, people may also use standard .22 bolt‑action sporting rifles modified with biathlon‑style stocks and sights, but they still must meet the same basic safety and ammunition rules (.22 LR, minimum weight, 5‑shot magazines, etc.).

Historical note

Earlier forms of biathlon and related Nordic shooting events used larger calibers like 6.5×55 mm or .308 Winchester, but the international biathlon governing body standardized on .22 LR in the late 1970s for safety and practicality. Today, for Olympic‑style biathlon, “what guns are used?” essentially means “specialized .22 LR biathlon rifles,” with the Anschütz‑type straight‑pull designs being the standard choice.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.