Norway’s recruitment system is bringing a revolution to biathlon—according to biathlon expert Ola Lunde, this is an unprecedented development.

Biathlon switched to small-caliber rifles in 1978, but today’s biathlon rifles bear little resemblance to those from that era. So, what has changed in biathlon weaponry?

Norwegian biathletes have always been at the forefront of the sport’s evolution and equipment innovations. Leading the charge now is 23-year-old Martin Uldal, whose innovations are being copied by World Cup veterans. The rookie from Birkenes IL is making his World Cup debut this week, and biathlon expert Ola Lunde believes that his rifle modifications are among the best he has ever seen.

“Everything is faster—shooting times have decreased, and hit percentages are at least as good as before. The level we saw at the January test race in Antholz was unprecedented. Shooting in under 20 seconds while standing, something we once thought impossible, has become achievable in recent years. Uldal is delivering standing series in under 16 seconds, and the evolution continues,” Lunde told Langrenn.com.

Lunde has followed biathlon his entire life—as a former athlete, national team coach, and for decades as an expert commentator for NRK. This year’s Biathlon World Championships mark his 26th as a commentator.

Revolution in Biathlon Rifles

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) has specific requirements for biathlon rifles, including a minimum weight of 3.5 kg and a rule that athletes must carry the rifle barrel-up. This limits what can be changed about the weapon itself.

When biathletes first switched to small-caliber rifles, they used a traditional bolt-action mechanism. However, in the mid-1980s, Anschütz introduced the Fortner action. This mechanism allows athletes to reload by simply pulling back with their fingers and pushing forward with their thumb—an innovation that was a game-changer. “Since then, though, very little has changed in the rifle’s core mechanics,” says Lunde.

“Having a rifle with sufficient accuracy is crucial in biathlon. But the minimum weight rule is necessary. The rifle could be made lighter, but I think the regulation is fine as it is—otherwise, it could become too light and unstable,” Lunde adds.

However, some rifle components have been redesigned.

“There are several new sighting options. We’ve tried to make them smaller to reduce wind resistance. The French even developed airplane-wing-shaped sights for the 2022 Olympics,” says Lunde.

Since the Fortner revolution in the 1980s, the biggest advancements have happened outside the rifle’s barrel and mechanism. The rest of the rifle—especially the stock—has undergone massive changes. “Athletes used to use simple wooden stocks, but now every biathlete has a custom-fitted stock. Norwegians mainly use laminated wood to prevent the stock from being affected by moisture,” Lunde explains.

Uldal Sets the Trend

Nearly all Norwegian biathletes have custom wooden stocks. Some have experimented with stocks made from Kevlar and other composite materials. Now, 3D-printed solutions are emerging, and Uldal has made significant strides in this area—allowing him to shoot faster than almost all established World Cup stars.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Martin Uldal started designing a custom stock using 3D modeling to reduce his shooting range time. The result? A resounding YES—it worked.

Uldal can now complete a standing shooting bout in 12 seconds—loading the magazine, firing five shots, and leaving the range. By comparison, top World Cup shooters like Emilien Jacquelin, Tarjei Bø, and Johannes Thingnes Bø take around 16 seconds for the same task.

“Younger athletes are often the most enthusiastic. Martin Uldal is one of those who experiment a lot, using 3D printing. The most important part is the grip, which keeps the rifle steady, and 3D printing is commonly used there,” says Lunde.

“Uldal has also made a special modification to the front of the stock, making it narrower to reduce air resistance further.”

Influencing Established Elite Athletes

Norway’s rising star, making a serious impact in his debut World Cup season, has already begun influencing established World Cup athletes.

“Uldal has started a small revolution with what we call the ‘standing drill’—how he takes the rifle down, what he does from the moment he arrives at the range to when he leaves. He’s setting a trend,” Lunde states.

Even Sturla Holm Lægreid is copying Uldal. Simon Eder, a long-time shooting drill pioneer, is discussing Uldal’s techniques with him and his coach. “Uldal is a role model—highly creative and always trying new solutions.”

Optimizing Every Detail

Lunde also points out other rifle modifications, including special plates used in the prone position to increase the distance from the left hand to the barrel.

The pistol grip and reloading mechanism have been tailored for a seamless, ergonomic fit to ensure smooth range work. Significant effort has gone into optimizing the stock where the rifle rests on the shoulder.

“Some athletes have a small hook on top to ensure consistent positioning in prone shooting. There’s also an adjustable hook on the bottom for standing shooting. It can be raised or lowered as needed. (Eirik) Kvalfoss was the first to introduce this around 1990,” says Lunde.

Kvalfoss also introduced the biathlon rifle harness, which has remained mostly unchanged but is now more flexible and comfortable.

“The harness also catches wind when standing, so it needs to be as flexible as possible while still providing support for carrying the rifle,” Lunde adds.

He also mentions Ole Einar Bjørndalen:
“Bjørndalen was always looking to develop his rifle—modifying the pistol grip, magazine placement, and even being the first to use an adjustable stock,” Lunde explains.

“All these details can add up to a fraction of a second advantage—small gains that can be decisive at the highest level of international biathlon.”

Magazine and Reloading Optimization

Continuous improvements have been made in optimizing magazine placement and spare rounds. Norwegian biathletes have led the way in these refinements.

“In recent years, there’s been a focus on placing magazines as close as possible to minimize movement when reloading and keeping spare relay rounds within quick reach,” says Lunde.

He’s surprised that some of the world’s top biathletes haven’t adopted these practices.

“We still see some athletes putting their rifles down to reload spare rounds. Norway stopped doing that in the World Cup back in 2005—now they reload directly. Yet, even top athletes like Quentin Fillon Maillet still take their rifles off to reload. It’s surprising that some don’t follow the most efficient approach,” Lunde remarks.

Around 2005, Norway also introduced a Kevlar coating on rifle barrels, slightly reducing barrel vibrations and improving accuracy. While not universally adopted, Norway and Sweden both use this method.

However, not all innovations pass the IBU’s approval process. Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen recently tested a near-internal magazine placement, but it was rejected by the IBU. “When reloading, the magazine must be physically removed,” Lunde explains.

Balancing Equipment and Training

Not every biathlete is passionate about tinkering with their rifle or testing new setups. Moreover, equipment changes don’t always translate to better biathlon results.

“Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen has used the same stock for seven or eight years. The same goes for Johannes and Tarjei Bø. And when Johannes changed his stock before the 2021 season, it backfired—so before 2022, he switched back, and everything clicked again,” Lunde says.

“You shouldn’t spend too much time on equipment adjustments. Training and shooting focus must also be prioritized.”

Read more: Wright on target: Campbell Wright wins double silver at IBU World Championships