They Start ‘Em Young in Norway…
Shooting is hugely popular in Norway. Each summer, the Norwegian National Rifle Championship draws 4,000-6,000 participants — an amazing number considering the population of Norway totals just 4.9 million. In Norway, as in Finland (home of Lapua), kids often get started in competitive shooting as early as age 6. In this video, you’ll see four Norwegian kids, Torje (age 8), Anders (age 7), Tonje (age 9), and Mari (age 15) trying out an Izhmash Biathlon rifle.
You’ll be impressed by the steady shooting skills of the youngsters, particularly 8-year-old Torje. He’s a future champion in the making we think.
Here’s another video with 15-year-old Mari, showing her rock-solid form with an Olympic-grade Izmash, using a quick-release arm sling. Note how steady she holds the rifle. This girl can shoot!
The rifles in the videos are both toggle-bolt Izhmash Biathlon guns, made in Russia. Like the German Fortner straight-pull action (used by Anschütz), the Izhmash toggle bolt action allows extremely rapid bolt-cycling. Shooters can quickly eject and reload without disturbing their shooting position or sight picture. The rifle in the first video sold in the USA last year for about $1560.00. That sounds expensive, but it is half the price of an Anschütz Fortner biathlon rifle. Check with AltiusGuns.com for current pricing and availability. The Izhmash Biathlon is offered in two models, the Biathlon 7-4 for adult men and the more compact Biathlon 7-3 for women and juniors. FYI, while the Izhmash 7-3 and 7-4 have not been imported in recent months, MT Guns still has a few LEFT-HAND model 7-4 Biathlon rifles in inventory. Southpaws, if you want one, call MT Guns at (805) 680-0201 before they’re all gone.
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“Derived from the German Fortner action”- not really. They are totally different.
Geoffrey–point made. But some people feel the two actions are more the same in their overall function than they are different. And most folks watching the operation of the actions at arms length would have trouble telling the difference. If you talk to the Germans (and I have), they’ll tell you, in no uncertain terms, that the Izmatch toggle was inspired by the Fortner, but the Russians came up with a modified design that’s cheaper to produce.
I guess Norwegians don’t believe in eyepro.
MT Guns has the Izhmash Biathlon 7-3 and 7-4 in stock.
Call Mac at 805 720-7720.
RBD
Izhmash Biathlon also make a sporter model. Same hammer forged barrel, same action only in a sporter stock and more that $1000 cheaper.
I’ve had one for a couple of years for rabbit hunting.
Out of the box it put five bullets (target quality ammo) into the same hole at 50 yards, twice. I was sighting in and testing ammo. Got the target with two, one hole groups on it.
The best trigger on any .22 I have ever used. A true target trigger
For a close up of the action and the amazing crown, plus a mini review go to http://www.rpgfirearms.com.au/IZHMASH%20.22.htm
Cheers.
hallo from Greece please do you know how can i find prices about izhmash rifle in Norway im interesting also for used rifles thank you vassili stergiou
Mari has a classic prone position. Very elegant. Although, I somehow doubt the quality of her NPA, based on what little time she takes to set up her position. Might be good enough for the biathlon target.
More interesting is that the DFS, has more than 160,000 active shooters in Norway!
DFS: our NRA.
The Danish, Finnish and Swedish DFS has around the same numbers.
All use the Sauer 200STR rifle.