Biathlon

[Outrider27]

Not that I know a dang thing about the activity, but doesn't it seem that the rifles are a bit over done for what they have to accomplish in markmanship?

The key to the shooting portion of biathlon is being able to shoot with utmost accuracy while your heart is pounding and your lungs puffing from the XC ski trail you just came off moments before. Under those conditions you need everything possible going for you. Notice the predominance of straight pull actions (reduces motions that can throw you off target between shots) and the seriously deliberate efforts to save weight without sacrificing accuracy potential compaired to rifles in other target endeavors. They aren't overdone, they are very seriously focused on their intended purpose, which is being transported and shot under physically grueling conditions not found in other marksmanship disciplines.

 

[243Mendoza]

I would love to see that sport in the USA,but have you ever seen a place where you can ski and shoot?

Washington has biathlon club near Stevens Pass. They practice marksmanship during the summer at the Cascade Rifle and Pistol Club and have a summer biathlon at the Seattle Rifle and Pistol Club near Machias.
























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[johnu]

Not sure if it's still the case, but biathletes were commonly in the military, i.e. full-time athletes. Same for the U.S., but our soldiers shoot in the summer games.

John

 

[Grimstod]

If you don't check the bulletin often you should. There is now a biathlon article up.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2014/02/olympics-insight-anatomy-of-a-modern-biathlon-rifle/

Here is a sweet video on biathlon shooting!

[youtube]http://youtu.be/PGx03PheuUw[/youtube]

 

[Blaster-37]

It is not as uncommon as you guys think. I was invited to compete in a match last month and did not due to the weather at Seeley Lake, MT. I considered it and my wife thonked my head wondering what I was thinking. "Really, 20 below plus big winds, you will be lucky to get back to the ranch with all your body parts connected".
Rifles and ammo are typically provided. Many Palma shooters do this. It is fun if you cross country ski and enjoy accurate rifle shooting. It's about controlling your cardio. It is a natural winter thing here in Montana to cure cabin fever.
Greg

 

[Tozguy]

Biathlon is my favorite event at the Winter Olympics.
As everyone has already said. It's a very tough to do, and really tough to do well.
They do a summer version here in WA. State where the competitors run and shoot. Still pretty tough to do.

Summer version, now that sounds like fun, tough but more accessible. Add a swarm of mosquitos instead of the danger of frostbite to keep things even.

 

[Tozguy]

Not that I know a dang thing about the activity, but doesn't it seem that the rifles are a bit over done for what they have to accomplish in markmanship?

Maybe but that's just gives me another reason to like the sport.

 

[Beau]

I'm not having any luck finding the rules governing rifle configuration. Any clues?

Seems like a semi-auto would be just the ticket.

http://biathlete.org/equ.html


Also interesting...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biathlon

Been to both those sites and even read the official rule book but saw nothing regarding the configuration of the rifles other than rifle weight & trigger weight. I saw nothing in the rulebook that said the rifle has to be manually operated.
The first site you linked says the rifle has to be bolt action, but doesn't mention any other rules beyond that & the weights.

I find it hard to believe that an International discipline doesn't have rules specifying the most minute details.

 

[swehrman]

Here you go Beau. Section 3.1.6.

http://www3.biathlonworld.com/media/files/downloads/IBU_Rules_2012_cap4.pdf

-- Scott