Help me pick a rifle

For those who like shooting in the snow

Moderators: pilkguns, m1963, Craig1956

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josafoot
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:17 pm

Help me pick a rifle

Post by josafoot »

I am new to the biathlon shooting. I do not own a bolt action .22LR and I will ONLY use this for any form of Biathlon shooting I do.

I have experience using a Mosin Nagant 91/30 and M1 Garand for off hand shooting.

I have used a Ruger 10/22 in an adapted biathlon through the Venture Scouts. (on a mountain bike).

I do have a tighter budget so I am not sure if the $3k rifles are in my price range.

I had come across Izhmash 7-4's (19'' barrels) and the Izhmash 7-2.

The 7-4 looks nice, but I have no idea if they are. I like the 7-2 because a store near me in Tahoe sells used ones for a pretty good price ($200-$1k). I imagine though, that there is a reason there are a lot of used ones in decent condition and that I may not be happy with this in the long run.

I am sorry, for the shooting history but maybe you guys can figure out what I like, in my price range and will be a good long lasting friend in the biathlon world.

FYI I am okay with used gear and rifles in good condition.
Craig1956
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:14 pm
Location: Sacramento CA

Post by Craig1956 »

I had come across Izhmash 7-4's (19'' barrels)
Those are good accurate adult sized biathlon rifles - I have one myself. They are very hard to find right now though.
Craig1956
Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:14 pm
Location: Sacramento CA

Post by Craig1956 »

The Eastern Sierra Armory rifles are an alternative right now.
crasher
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:23 pm
Location: MA

Post by crasher »

You can't go wrong if you can get a 7-4 for under $1000!

Are you doing summer or winter biathlon? Depending on the cost of the 7-2, it might not be so cheap after getting magazines, a new front sight, a new rear sight, biathlon stock, harness sling, and cuff for winter biathlon. If you are just doing summer, the 7-2 will work fine. Keep in mind that if the 7-2 is like the 7-3/7-4 not all sights will not fit.

I would second Eastern Sierra Armory if you are on a budget of around $1000.
Last edited by crasher on Mon Feb 17, 2014 10:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
crasher
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:23 pm
Location: MA

Post by crasher »

Here is a mixmaster Anschutz 54 repeater that could get you started.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =393190188

All you need to is get 3 more magazines, the hardware to mount the harness and sling. The cuff, sling and you are ready to race.
cordillera
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2013 11:54 pm
Location: Smithers, bc

Biathlon rifle

Post by cordillera »

For the price the savage with stocks from sierra armoury are excellent. My club has them all (lakefield, various anschutz, izhmash, Brno, etc). The savages are accurate and the new stocks from sierra are excellent. If you ever get exceptionally good and move into high competition then you could sell the savage and buy an anschutz.
RonBott
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:02 am
Location: Duluth, MN

Post by RonBott »

Your budget usually dictates what rifle you end up getting. If it's around $1,000 then the savage rifles from eastern sierra armory are ok. For $1500-$2000 you might be able to find an Izhmash 7-4. And of course an Anschutz is as good as it gets, but expect to pay around $3000, or a bit less if you can find a used one.
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