Biathlon Rifle Options
Telemark Biathlon does not endorse or represent any of these rifle options or sellers. However, this is a common question that new biathletes have. Here are many of the options, from introductory to world cup level of quality and consistency. This page is adapted from Nordic Ski Pro.
The standards for a biathlon rifle are:
- .22 LR
- 5 round magazine capacity
- Bolt action
- Open sights
Savage MARKII FV
A popular and inexpensive option is presented by Savage Arms with the Savage MKII FV .22lr target bolt action rifle. This rifle typically costs under $300 but it comes with no sights. You’d need to separately buy a sight set:
- Gehmann Biathlon Rear Sight: $275 (https://lostnationrd.com/product/gehmann-biathlon-rear-sight/)
- 11mm Dovetail base for Savage MKII: $35 (https://lostnationrd.com/product/11mm-dovetail-base-for-savage-mkii/)
- LNRD Biathlon Front Sight: $140 (https://lostnationrd.com/product/lnrd-biathlon-front-sight/)
Savage MARK II FVT
The Savage Arms Mark II FVT offers user-adjustable AccuTrigger technology for crisp, customized trigger pulls. The Mark II FVT already comes with peep sights (biathlon sights) and is ready to go out of the box.
CZ 457 Varmint At-ONE
CZ 457 Varmint At-ONE’s stock is stable with adjustable comb and length of pull, making a great competition rifle. You’d need to add a sight set.
CZ 457 Varmint MTR
A very precise rifle and popular in rimfire competitions. $865 retail price makes it a very good value. You’d need to add a sight set.
CZ 457 Biathlon Altius Conversion
Altius sells a race-ready biathlon version of CZ 457 rifle for $2,195. The package includes CZ457 rifle, Boyds AT-ONE Stock with adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull, sights, handstop, sling, cuff, harness, rifle cover, blinder, 4 magazines, and adjustable buttplate.
Anschutz 1761 MSR
Anschütz rifles are considered by many as the best rimfire rifles, which are internationally renowned for their construction, workmanship and precision accuracy, notably in biathlon shooting. The Anschutz 6834 Match Sight Set M18 mounts directly on the groove on the barrel action without any additional adapters.
Izhmash 7-3 and 7-4
A Russian made rifle, these are found aftermarket in the US. A solid, dependable rifle with good cold weather consistency, there are IBU World Cup athletes who compete with this rifle. Finding parts can be a challenge, and there are several modern upgrades that can be made.
Anschutz 1827
The most popular and successful biathlon rifle in the Olympics, the Anschutz 1827 F, is also one of the most advanced firearms in the world.
Marlin 2000
No longer in production but worth mentioning here is Marlin 2000, which was built specifically as an affordable beginner biathlon rifle. Comfortable for smaller people, precise, and priced around $400 this rifle is worth pursuing on auction sites, if new or in excellent condition.
Biathlon Stock
You can convert the basic rifle stock Savage Mark II, CZ 457, Marlin 2000 and Anschutz 1827 to a fully-adjustable biathlon stock for $490 with Versatile Biathlon Stock (VBS) from Lost Nation R&D.