Biathlon rifle specs: Usually .22 LR, has been larger/air.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biathlon_rifle

Watching the Olympic biathlon event, which consists of snow skiing and rifle shooting, I was wondering about the biathlon rifle used.

The above link gives you chapter and verse on the technical specs of the biathlon rifle.

Currently the predominant caliber is .22LR, but sometimes air rifles are used, and there are other classes which use larger, center fire rounds.

SIA

[powerboatr]

been watching it ALOT

60 meters yesterday with 20 mph cross winds with gusts higher

it was awesome, the frenchman missed NONE and won the gold in his event.

60 meters with a 22 in those conditions hitting that tiny hole is incredible
especially with your chest heaving from the all out exertion of the skiing

[Ruark]

I was wondering what kind of shooting that was. 60 meters with a .22? The actual target area is 4.5 inches. Hmmmm... doesn't sound too difficult, especially prone, but it definitely would kick up the difficulty if it was a howling wind and you were shooting from a standing position and gasping for breath.....

[Paladin]

50 meters
standing bull: 115mm (4.5"),
prone bull: 45mm (1.77")

It's a challenging course of fire considering the competitors are breathing hard after cross country skiing at maximum speed.

[Ruark]

Sort of a tangential question: how on EARTH do those cross country skiers do those long runs in that dry, freezing mountain air without getting rampaging sore throats???

[Rafe]

50 meters
standing bull: 115mm (4.5"),
prone bull: 45mm (1.77")

It's a challenging course of fire considering the competitors are breathing hard after cross country skiing at maximum speed.

That's why it's one of my favorite winter Olympic sports to watch. Well, one if the few I even do watch.

Super-practical hunting/military lineage, and the average heart rates during the full-out cross-country skiing are about 90% of maximum while competitive marathoners run 80%-85%, with 85% about the top-end sustained. Anybody who's taken firearm training classes that include simulated physiological stress from intense exertion before shooting (I'm thinking at least one of Paul Howe's classes) knows how tough it is to shoot accurately when your heart is pounding not just some, but is pounding near the red-line in fourth gear. Now throw in cold fingers, toes, and faces.

To people who don't shoot, I'm sure biathlon looks maybe only a notch less boring than curling. But, man, do those athletes have my respect.

[Paladin]

Sort of a tangential question: how on EARTH do those cross country skiers do those long runs in that dry, freezing mountain air without getting rampaging sore throats???

No idea...I think the Norwegians are super human.

[KC5AV]

50 meters
standing bull: 115mm (4.5"),
prone bull: 45mm (1.77")

It's a challenging course of fire considering the competitors are breathing hard after cross country skiing at maximum speed.

That's why it's one of my favorite winter Olympic sports to watch. Well, one if the few I even do watch.

Super-practical hunting/military lineage, and the average heart rates during the full-out cross-country skiing are about 90% of maximum while competitive marathoners run 80%-85%, with 85% about the top-end sustained. Anybody who's taken firearm training classes that include simulated physiological stress from intense exertion before shooting (I'm thinking at least one of Paul Howe's classes) knows how tough it is to shoot accurately when your heart is pounding not just some, but is pounding near the red-line in fourth gear. Now throw in cold fingers, toes, and faces.

To people who don't shoot, I'm sure biathlon looks maybe only a notch less boring than curling. But, man, do those athletes have my respect.

During a marathon, my heart rate averages about 140bpm. I’d hate to know I had to make a 50m shot at a 115mm target in a 32kph cross wind.