cheap biathlon alternative....

For those who like shooting in the snow

Moderators: pilkguns, m1963, Craig1956

mike@nds
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2015 11:32 am

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by mike@nds »

There are some Zastava LB22 rifles available now. For $202 at R&R Arms.

http://www.rrarms.com/ci-zastava-lb22sa ... -mags.html

They are a light sporter type rifle and would require quite a bit of work to get to a usable level.

However, the one we have is reasonably accurate and I'm going to make a heavier stock for it.

It does not have a left side extractor so I had some failures to eject because I didn't work the bolt smartly. But it has potential.

I'll post up a video of me shooting it after I do some editing

https://youtu.be/3A6nr2vWZvU
sk8z27
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:34 pm

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by sk8z27 »

So I've come across this rifle. How does this compare and is this something that I can drop into an ESA stock? Is this a good price? I've seen some similar at three times this price.

http://www.cdnnsports.com/izhmash-biath ... hqgZflVikp
pcw
Posts: 133
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:20 pm

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by pcw »

That is the same action as the Izzy biathlon rifles. I think the barrel may be shorter. As you can see it has no sights and the dovetail is a slightly different size than the Anschutz. The front sight is more of a problem than the rear and you should be able to find ways to make it work either through Altius Guns or Nordic Marksman. ESA inlets their stocks for the Izzy, but I don't know if the action screws on the biathlon basic are the same. Contact them.
Cheers, PCW
crasher
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2011 9:23 pm
Location: MA

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by crasher »

sk8z27 wrote:So I've come across this rifle. How does this compare and is this something that I can drop into an ESA stock? Is this a good price? I've seen some similar at three times this price.

http://www.cdnnsports.com/izhmash-biath ... hqgZflVikp
It won't drop in per say. You will have to hog out the front for the barrel and trigger guard for it to fit. But once you remove material, the action screws line up without any issues.
sk8z27
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:34 pm

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by sk8z27 »

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIFSS

So, today I'm looking for a .380 bolt action on the clearanc rifle rack at Cabela's and I find this rifle sitting there. It's the Savage MK II FSS, with open sights. I was just wondering if this would transform into a decent biathlon rifle. It's too light as it sits with a synthetic stock at about 5.5 lbs, but with a new stock, possibly one from Eastern Sierra would this work? I assume it would drop into another stock too if not an ESA, but wonder about adding peep sights. Would this require gunsmithing to drill and tap any holes? Does the stainless barrel make it any harder, no pun intended. It's selling for $140 which seems like a pretty good deal as a standalone target rifle to go plinking with if it's not worth the transformation.
jsjac
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:48 pm

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by jsjac »

I found this on RFC. It is left handed ?

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/vb ... &id=142378
sk8z27
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:34 pm

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by sk8z27 »

so, i found this stock. i finally got around to doing my first biathlon race. my assumption is for club competition i don't see the point in getting a rifle more then $500, but realistically don't think I'll get what i need under $100. I thought about a couple options. One was the Savage Mark II TR here http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIITR, but would have to add sites. i'm not sure if this rifle is threaded for peep sites or would have to get it machined, costing more money.

My second option is this one that someone posted earlier, and what I've had my eye on for quite some time. I would also be looking to add this Boyds stock and of course have to fit a harness to it, but don't anticipate it being too difficult.
I just don't see the point in buying a competition specific rifle and spending over $3000 for just a few club races. Any thoughts on this setup or any other problems or snags I could anticipate to modify this. I'd have to research it more, but so far I read the stock should pair up with no additional hardware or tinkering. I'm hoping it's just a bolt on stock like they advertise.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/MARKIIFVT
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/29817 ... d-laminate
Attachments
savage boyd stock.jpg
savage boyd stock.jpg (41.14 KiB) Viewed 32685 times
savage mk ii fvt.png
savage mk ii TR.png
Darren
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Oct 12, 2019 12:08 am
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by Darren »

The issc spa is a straight pull as well.
I also think theres a em332a which is a norinco or scorpio that has mag holders in the stock but not straight pull.
User avatar
conradin
Posts: 1999
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:18 am
Location: Basement.

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by conradin »

I highly recommend the Izh 7/*. It never let me down. .
Hamster
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:18 pm
Location: Vancouver BC

Re: cheap biathlon alternative....

Post by Hamster »

Does anyone have experience or thoughts on potential of the ISSC SPA straight pull rifle for a niece starting biathlon? I'm asking for a relative (not into biathlon myself). It's available new for CDN$300 (or $330 with carbon barrel) here. 11 mm dovetail on receiver so adding rear sight is easy. Maybe a clamp on for the front, or have a dovetail machined in. I see a favourable review for accuracy here from a credible fellow Canadian: https://www.huntinggearguy.com/rimfire/ ... ll-review/ I have never seen one in the flesh.
Post Reply