In Olympic and World Cup biathlon, athletes use a specialized small‑bore .22 caliber rifle (specifically .22 Long Rifle / .22 LR).

Quick Scoop

  • Caliber: .22 LR rimfire (small‑bore target ammo).
  • Magazine: 5‑round magazines, with spare mags carried on the stock for fast reloads.
  • Minimum weight: About 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) so the gun isn’t ultralight and unstable.
  • Typical action: Manually operated, usually a straight‑pull bolt so biathletes can cycle the action very quickly while staying in position.
  • Common model: The Anschutz 1827 Fortner straight‑pull .22LR is by far the dominant modern biathlon rifle at the Olympics.

A bit more detail

The international biathlon rules standardize the cartridge to .22 LR, with limits on bullet weight and muzzle velocity to keep things safe and consistent between athletes. The rifles are highly customized: special stocks for shooting prone and standing, adjustable triggers (often two‑stage), and protective covers so snow and ice don’t foul the sights.

In short, when you watch biathlon on TV, you’re seeing athletes ski with a purpose‑built .22 LR target rifle on their back, most often an Anschutz straight‑pull model tuned for accuracy, reliability in winter conditions, and rapid fire from both prone and standing positions.

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