what kind of rifles are used in biathlon
Modern Olympic and World Cup biathletes use lightweight, magazine‑fed .22 Long Rifle ( .22 LR) smallbore rifles that are purpose‑built for the sport, typically with straight‑pull or biathlon‑style bolt actions.
Core rifle type
- Caliber: .22 LR rimfire is the only cartridge allowed in International Biathlon Union (IBU) competitions, including the Winter Olympics.
- Action: Manually operated bolt, most commonly a straight‑pull system that lets the athlete cycle the action very quickly without breaking shooting position.
- Weight: Usually between about 3.5 kg and just under 4 kg once fitted with sights and accessories, balancing stability with the need to ski fast.
- Magazine: Detachable 5‑round magazines, with several spares carried in holders on the stock for rapid reloads during a race.
In short, think of a highly specialized .22 LR target rifle that’s been slimmed down, ruggedized, and fitted with biathlon‑specific features so skiers can shoot accurately while exhausted.
Typical models and brands
- Anschütz 1827 Fortner: The dominant biathlon rifle at the Olympics; estimates suggest roughly 97% of Olympic biathletes use this model or similar variants.
- Other smallbore biathlon rifles: Over the years, dedicated .22 LR biathlon rifles from makers like Anschütz, Izhmash/IZHMASH, Sako, Suhl and others have been used in international competition.
- Club and local events: At lower levels, athletes may use more general .22 LR bolt‑action rifles (for example Savage MKII or CZ 457) that are upgraded with biathlon stocks, sling systems, and aperture sights.
Mini table: common Olympic‑level setup
| Feature | Typical Olympic biathlon rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 LR rimfire only (IBU rules) |
| Action | Straight‑pull or biathlon‑style manual bolt |
| Example model | Anschütz 1827 Fortner |
| Magazine capacity | 5 rounds per magazine |
| Typical weight | About 3.5–4 kg with equipment |
Design features just for biathlon
- Stock: Ergonomic stock with cutouts, thumbholes, and integrated holders for spare magazines, designed to be stable in both prone and standing positions while wearing gloves.
- Sights: Non‑magnifying aperture (“peep”) iron sights with a globe front, optimized for the 50 m biathlon targets and fast target acquisition.
- Sling and carry system: A specialized sling and harness so the rifle rides securely on the athlete’s back while skiing and can be shouldered quickly at the range.
- Trigger: Usually a light, two‑stage target trigger to help maintain precision despite heavy breathing and fatigue.
Other biathlon variants
Outside Olympic‑style smallbore biathlon, some regional formats use different rifles:
- Nordic field and moose biathlon: May use larger centerfire calibers like 6.5×55 mm or .308 Winchester in “fullbore” classes, or cartridges like .17 HMR in certain smallbore classes.
- Air‑rifle or beginner biathlon: Some clubs run intro events using biathlon‑style air rifles for safety, cost, and accessibility, but these are separate from IBU/Olympic rules.
TL;DR: In elite biathlon (World Cup, Olympics), athletes almost all use specialized .22 LR smallbore target rifles, most famously the Anschütz 1827 Fortner straight‑pull, built to be light, reliable in the cold, and fast to operate while skiing and shooting under intense fatigue.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
