Biathlon rifle?

[crunchiespg]

I'm thinking of getting a biathlon rifle. Initially just for fun, but intend to get involved in biathlon next winter.

Apart from the obvious difference in the anschutz fortner sprint and the heavy barrel models in barrel weight, are there any other differences?
Which one is preferable?
Thanks

 

[Blastattack]

I'm thinking of getting a biathlon rifle. Initially just for fun, but intend to get involved in biathlon next winter.

Apart from the obvious difference in the anschutz fortner sprint and the heavy barrel models in barrel weight, are there any other differences?
Which one is preferable?
Thanks

I would think the lighter barrels would be preferable; you are trying to shoot the thing off-hand after-all. However, spending $3000+ seems a little excessive for something you're just thinking of getting into. But it's your money in the end.

 

[crunchiespg]

I would think the lighter barrels would be preferable; you are trying to shoot the thing off-hand after-all. However, spending $3000+ seems a little excessive for something you're just thinking of getting into. But it's your money in the end.

You only live once. And the anschutz rifles are truly remarkable. It will be a pleasure to shoot recreationally too.

 

[Jabol]

I don't know enough but I noticed some biathlon athletes do put barrel weights on the barrels to balance it better, which of course increases the barrel weight, so I would just start off with a heavier barrel. Unless you are thinking of getting involved in the sport and you are a scrawny little guy, it may be a tad too heavy for ya if especially if you are going to lug it along with you while doing cross country skiing free style.

 

[762shooter]

The Izhmash is a good rifle at a lot less money than an Anschutz. It comes as a complete package, nothing extra to buy at around $2000.

 

[Jabol]

The Izhmash is a good rifle at a lot less money than an Anschutz. It comes as a complete package, nothing extra to buy at around $2000.

Sounds like biathlon is not the issue here but the 1827 Anschutz Fortner in itself. Costs twice as much as Izhmash but it is more than twice the rifle Izhmash is. Fit and finish is phenomenal, I have one in Bear stock. It's where engineering met art.

 

[Nordic Marksman]

Sprint vs. Heavy Barrel

The only difference in these 2 rifles is the weight of the barrel. Everything else is identical.
300 grams heavier (spread over the length of the barrel). Both rifles are equal in terms of accuracy.

With any of these rifles you get what you pay for. Izhmash is totally different in many many ways.
There really isn't any comparison between the two.

 

[tacfoley]

You might like to 'test the waters' first by ski-ing around the landscape with a Browning T-bolt on a sling. I KNOW it's not a biathlon rifle, but it might just save you coughing up a whale of hard-earned $$$$$$, and has a not-too-dissimilar feel in the cocking action. Getting rid of your $3000 rifle when you find you might have over-reached yourself is going to hurt, since the market is VERY small, new OR second-hand. Try and find a used one and see for yourself.

tac

 

[sillymike]

I was going to suggest you have a look at a biathlon air rifle... easier to train with, at least as fat setting up a range... Then I realized that they are just as $$ are the 22lr version.

 

[crunchiespg]

You might like to 'test the waters' first by ski-ing around the landscape with a Browning T-bolt on a sling. I KNOW it's not a biathlon rifle, but it might just save you coughing up a whale of hard-earned $$$$$$, and has a not-too-dissimilar feel in the cocking action. Getting rid of your $3000 rifle when you find you might have over-reached yourself is going to hurt, since the market is VERY small, new OR second-hand. Try and find a used one and see for yourself.

tac

Funnily enough I've just been offered a used one. And purely as a great shooting rifle it would be a keeper.

I was going to suggest you have a look at a biathlon air rifle... easier to train with, at least as fat setting up a range... Then I realized that they are just as $$ are the 22lr version.

Yeh air rifles are not cheap, plus the kit needed to charge the cylinder.

 

[sillymike]

A Gehmann pump will set you back a few hundred $$, but you'll quickly recover the cost. Match grade pellets are still way cheaper than match grade ammunition.

 

[silverfoxdj]

tagged..

 

[762shooter]

The only difference in these 2 rifles is the weight of the barrel. Everything else is identical.
300 grams heavier (spread over the length of the barrel). Both rifles are equal in terms of accuracy.

With any of these rifles you get what you pay for. Izhmash is totally different in many many ways.
There really isn't any comparison between the two.

Not intending to be rude or anything, but as an Anschutz dealer you do have an axe to grind.

In my opinion, yes the Fortners are great rifles but for someone getting into the sport the Izhmash at less than half the cost (all necessary accessories included) makes way more sense. Until a competitor is at the level of a provincial team the Fortner isn't going to make any difference.

Also, from first hand experience I can say that if you buy an Izhmash and feel you need a Fortner at some point it is easy to sell an Izhmash for close to purchase price because their are always newbies to the sport looking for them.

 

[crunchiespg]

Not intending to be rude or anything, but as an Anschutz dealer you do have an axe to grind.

In my opinion, yes the Fortners are great rifles but for someone getting into the sport the Izhmash at less than half the cost (all necessary accessories included) makes way more sense. Until a competitor is at the level of a provincial team the Fortner isn't going to make any difference.

He sells izhmash too.
I'm interested in the anschutz just because it's a great rifle as I'm interested as it's a biathlon rifle. I love anschutz rifles I've owned before.

 

[icedragonmx]

Watch videos of people moving the action of a Izhmash then one of a Anschutz. That should show you how much difference there is.

As far as the T-bolt, I owned one and it is not even in the same league as the Anschutz (not even close). If you have the funds get the 1827F. It is the best by far. Worth every penny for the Fortner action! Cycling the action barely moves your sight picture. T-bolt takes you right off target (great light, fast action 22lr but not in the 1827F league)

Get one! Its worth it (New 1827F owner here)

 

[jimbo]

I looked at both versions before deciding to go with the Sprint as I prefer the weight closer to my body when standing. As it turned out, Nordic Marksman only had that version available. While I am no biathlete, I recently took up cross country skiing again after a 15 year hiatus as a form of recreational fitness that is a little easier on an old knee injury. The 1827F is an absolute joy to shoot, and phenomenally accurate.

In addition to the 1827F, I recently picked up a used 1417 and while it serves a different purpose, I'm finding that I'm taking the 1827F out more and more instead, outside its designated purpose simply because it's such a pleasure to shoot.

While the 1827F is definitely much less sleek, heavier, and more difficult to carry than the 1417, the confidence that comes with shooting it more than makes up for it. Get one! You won't be disappointed.

 

[crunchiespg]

I looked at both versions before deciding to go with the Sprint as I prefer the weight closer to my body when standing. As it turned out, Nordic Marksman only had that version available. While I am no biathlete, I recently took up cross country skiing again after a 15 year hiatus as a form of recreational fitness that is a little easier on an old knee injury. The 1827F is an absolute joy to shoot, and phenomenally accurate.

In addition to the 1827F, I recently picked up a used 1417 and while it serves a different purpose, I'm finding that I'm taking the 1827F out more and more instead, outside its designated purpose simply because it's such a pleasure to shoot.

While the 1827F is definitely much less sleek, heavier, and more difficult to carry than the 1417, the confidence that comes with shooting it more than makes up for it. Get one! You won't be disappointed.

Lol, I know you bought a 1417! It was me who sold it to you!
How's it shoot?

 

[jimbo]

Yeah, that was supposed to be an inside joke! It shoots very well - I put a 3-9x36 Swaro on it and even with CCI STD velocity it does one hole out to 25m. I'm heading to the range again Monday to try RWS R50 at 50 & 100 m, and am awaiting the arrival of some Lapua Midas+ from Nordic Marksman. Extraction is sometimes iffy but there is an easy fix I found on Sniperhide that I hope to take care of this weekend. The trigger is very good but pales in comparison to the 1827F, as there is a fair bit of vibration from the firing pin release. It's not that the 1417 is bad, on the contrary, it's an excellent rifle, it's just the 1827F is that much better - probably the nicest trigger I've ever fired.

Like I said, I'm no biathlete, but the 1827 gives me an excuse to to get out and get some exercise while combining it with a little shooting. Here in SW Ontario where it's flat as a pancake, there are no biathlon events unless you head north, past Toronto, or into northern Michigan, which for me is a little closer. There's a few informal events in Michigan that I'm thinking of trying next year once I'm in a little better shape (my skiing is so bad right now I'd just embarrass myself, especially with such a cool rifle on my back).

 

[crunchiespg]

Yeah, that was supposed to be an inside joke! It shoots very well - I put a 3-9x36 Swaro on it and even with CCI STD velocity it does one hole out to 25m. I'm heading to the range again Monday to try RWS R50 at 50 & 100 m, and am awaiting the arrival of some Lapua Midas+ from Nordic Marksman. Extraction is sometimes iffy but there is an easy fix I found on Sniperhide that I hope to take care of this weekend. The trigger is very good but pales in comparison to the 1827F, as there is a fair bit of vibration from the firing pin release. It's not that the 1417 is bad, on the contrary, it's an excellent rifle, it's just the 1827F is that much better - probably the nicest trigger I've ever fired.

Like I said, I'm no biathlete, but the 1827 gives me an excuse to to get out and get some exercise while combining it with a little shooting. Here in SW Ontario where it's flat as a pancake, there are no biathlon events unless you head north, past Toronto, or into northern Michigan, which for me is a little closer. There's a few informal events in Michigan that I'm thinking of trying next year once I'm in a little better shape (my skiing is so bad right now I'd just embarrass myself, especially with such a cool rifle on my back).

Nice. If I get the 1827 I think I'll have to shoot some gophers with it just to say I did.

Do you skate or classic ski?

 

[Jabol]

... especially with such a cool rifle on my back).

jimbo, do show pics of your cool rifle.
I have 1827F in Bear stock and it is such a great and well balanced set up. I bought barreled action with heavy barrel and the stock both separately. Stock was slightly used but was already pillar bedded. At this point it is unlikely that I would do any more involved biathlon, I bought it purely for the rifle alone: Fortner straight pull action and Anschutz quality. Absolute joy to shoot. If anyone is in the market for priemium quality rifle and like this kind of set up (and has the $$$ means), regardless if you plan to do or not to do biathlon, I highly recommend this rifle.

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