what type of gun is used in biathlon

Biathletes use a specialized small‑bore .22 caliber rifle, not a hunting or military-style gun.

Quick Scoop

• The standard biathlon gun is a .22 LR (long rifle) rimfire rifle.

• It must meet strict rules: minimum weight around 3.5 kg and use only approved .22 LR ammunition.

• Most elite athletes use highly customized straight‑pull bolt rifles designed for fast cycling and accuracy in cold conditions.

What type of gun is it?

• Type: Small‑bore .22 LR rimfire rifle, built specifically for biathlon competition.

• Caliber: 5.6 mm / .22 LR only in modern IBU and Olympic biathlon.

• Action: Usually straight‑pull bolt (like the popular Anschutz 1827 Fortner), allowing very fast manual reloading without lifting the rifle from the shoulder.

• Magazine: Typically 5‑round magazines, with several spares carried on the stock for the shooting stages.

Key characteristics

• Minimum weight: About 3.5 kg so it’s not too light to control, but still carryable on the skier’s back.

• Ammo limits: Bullet weight roughly 2.55–2.75 g, with a capped muzzle velocity to keep things consistent and safe.

• Purpose-built stock: Adjustable stock, pistol grip, and harness system so the athlete can ski with it on their back and quickly drop into prone or standing positions.

• Weather adaptations: Protective covers for sights and barrel to keep out snow and ice, plus design tweaks for use with gloves in freezing temperatures.

A quick example

At recent Winter Games, the vast majority of competitors have used rifles like the Anschutz 1827F, a straight‑pull .22 LR biathlon rifle weighing just under 4 kg, designed almost entirely around speed, precision, and reliability on snow.

TL;DR: When people ask “what type of gun is used in biathlon,” the answer is a specialized .22 LR rimfire biathlon rifle with a straight‑pull bolt, 5‑round magazines, and strict weight and ammo rules.

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