I am not sure what forum to post this in so I have put it in a few.

I have recently become intrigued with the biathlon sport. There is a club here in Maine and I am going to go to the next event they have.

I love shooting and my wife and kids and I have just started cross country skiing. I don't want to seriously compete as I am way to old (37) but I would love to get good enough to show up in a oldster/masters friendly competition and have some fun. I can shoot and I am in pretty good shape (I run marathons) so I think this is realistic for me.

I would love this to be a sport that my kids get into. I really appreciate the combination of max cardio output and then having to slow yourself down long enough to shoot a clean set and then back you go!


I have searched the forum and I found a few posts about biathlon rifles but nothing recent. I guess Anchutz is the leader in the field with Izmash coming up second. I would love to see some of the rigs that get shot out there.

Due to the fact that this is a underutilized sport in the USA there is very little in the way of information out there.

Any info (links, web sites ect)about the Biathlon, the equipment and the rules of the sport will be greatly appreciated.

THANKS

Summer biathlon is available also.

Anchutz and I think, Marlin have such rifles.

The Fortner action is best, IMO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...#Rules_and_equipment

http://www.biathlonworld2.de/en/

Go for it - the very limited amount I have enjoyed, proved some of the most challenging physical exertion of my life.

Technique wins over fitness, every time.

Rgds

Ian

Ian

I remember reading a ISSF circular issueing a notice that from a date sometime in the future they are going to outlaw firearms in this discipline and instead competitors will use laser weapons instead.

Please check web site for details. I recall this notice was issued sometime in 2009. Usually ISSF gives 12 months notice hence this will not come into effect for that period.

I hope I am wrong.

The above said rifles can be ordered from

"Surrey guns"

and you should check regulation at

www.issf-shooting.org

Go for it, as it is a lot of fun. Most of the biathletes use skating skis, for the ski part. The Anschutz 64 biatlon is a good starter gun and there are a few lower cost Russian rifles that will also get you going. Also, check with Mac Tilden, MT Guns for what he has new or used, as he usually has a few. He can be contacted at http://www.mtguns.com/ and is a dealer for the Izhmash rifles from Russia. The Auburn Ski Club out here in California has a "biatlon interest group" that can also help you. Their information can be found at http://www.auburnskiclub.org/content/view/23/37/.

Have fun!

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by 415sbaird:
Summer biathlon is available also.

Could you explain how that works?

I have an image of of competitors cross country running whilst carrying their ski's and poles in their hands, with a rifle strapped on their back.

The athletes run a 5k loop and stop and shoot prone and standing like the winter game. HOWEVER they don't run with rifles they leave them at the range.

I see.

Do they run the same course's as they would ski during the winter or are they differnt routes.

That I don't know. I am learning about biathlons.

You wouldn't think something so simple could get so complicated would you.

Hope you intend on using that 470NE if you decide to compete. Just make sure they have a deep enough back stop. not having to hump it around the course will be a big advantage.

quote:

Originally posted by Cman:

Hope you intend on using that 470NE if you decide to compete. Just make sure they have a deep enough back stop. not having to hump it around the course will be a big advantage.

470 .... That might get a little expensive when compared to 22lr!!! It will probably be a little hard on the regulation flip steel targets!

I'm too old to compete with anyone, I'm just looking for something to have fun with. I especially want to get into another activity that will help me stay in shape. I figure I might as well take advantage of all the snow and cold we get. It is hard to run during our 5 month winters!!

A winter practising your Xcountry Nordic skiing technique should see you just about ready for the end of season stuff.