NSAA Kincaid Park Biathlon Range - Course Basics - Nordic Skiing ...
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NSAA Kincaid Park
Biathlon Range
Course Basics
This document contains information that you will be required to know prior to
your access to use the Kincaid Biathlon Range and its facilities.
What is the sport of Biathlon? It is a combination of skiing and riflery.
Competitors ski a given course and then must shoot at five targets in
both prone and offhand (standing) position.
History: Biathlon was first called military patrol in 1924 and was first,
and introduced as, an Olympic sport in 1960. At that time, it was a
men’s only competition with a women’s division beginning in 1992.
Rifles were bolt action and had iron sights (no scopes) chambered in
calibers like 30-06 and 7.62 NATO and the target distances were 100
to 250 meters. Targets increased in size as the distance increased.
Black and white photos from Alaska State Library. Army Signal Corps Photo collection and Artic Winter
games, USA Biathlon Team 1959
Rev. Feb. 2021 1 of 8
Today the standard rifle is chambered in 22 long rifle. The
bullet weight is 40 grains and is of a standard velocity (1181
fps).
Note! Other ammunition types such as HV, hollow points,
and jacketed are not permitted as they will damage the targeting
system. Only magazines that are designed to hold 5 rounds are
permitted. The rifle is still a bolt action and has only iron sights. The
weight of the rifle must be at least 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs.) and the trigger pull
of 500 g (1.1lb). Both of which are tested for at the beginning of
competitions.
The shooting distance if fixed at 50
meters and the targets are 11.5cm for
offhand(standing) and 4.5cm for prone.
The rifle is fully adjustable to fit each individual’s body metrics.
Review the graphic below of a German Anschutz rifle to learn the
different parts and pieces that make up a standard biathlon rifle:
Rev. Feb. 2021 2 of 8
Firearm Safety Rules
1. Always point the muzzle of the rifle in a safe direction.
2. Always keep the action open (bolt to the rear) and the rifle
unloaded until ready to use.
3. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
4. Always treat a rifle as if it were loaded until proven otherwise.
5. Always be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.
6. Give verbal confirmation when taking control of a rifle and
check that the bolt is open and the chamber is clear.
7. Never accept a firearm unless you know the chamber is clear
and you understand its operation. (don’t know, ask)
8. Never aim or fire the rifle unless on the range or a specified
practice area.
Range Procedure Fundamentals
1. Keep your rifle bolt open unless the rifle is on your back or you
are in position and ready to shoot
2. Do not take your rifle off before you are at the shooting point
3. Don’t load you rifle until you are in position with the rifle
pointed in the direction of the target. (down range)
4. Never race with a loaded rifle. That is a live round in the
chamber or in an inserted magazine.
5. On the command Cease Fire, immediately stop shooting and
unload your rifle. (open bolt and remove magazine) Listen for
further instructions.
6. Unless the range has been declared ‘HOT’ by the Range
Safety Officer in charge, rifle should be in the rack or properly
harnessed on your back.
7. If you should need t move to another shooting point the rifle
must be completely unloaded (includes removing loaded
magazine) and properly harness on your back before
departing current shooting point.
Rev. Feb. 2021 3 of 8
8. Always come to a complete stop before harnessing or
un=harnessing your rifle. (arriving at a shooting point or the
gun rack)
9. Never handle a rifle when someone is down range.
10. When dry firing only point the muzzle in a safe direction. (see
Safety rule #5)
11. If you see an unsafe act, bring it to the attention of the
individual involved and/or a range official.
12. Store your rifle and ammunition separately out of reach of the
public.
13. Check the barrel and the action of your rifle before using it.
14. No horseplay on the range.
15. Do not leave your rifle unattended in a public area.
16. It is NSAA policy that the rifle bolt is to be open (bolt handle
completely to the rear) once the rifle is removed from it’s
carrying case or taken of the competitors’ back. This includes
anytime the rifle is left unattended in the rifle rack or lying on
the ground or snow the bolt must be open (USBA strongly
encourages the use of a rifle cover at all times other than in
competition.) Competitors not abiding by the rule during
competitions will be reported to the Chief of Range.
17. Rifle must be unloaded after each shooting bout (practice or
competition) – that is, no round may be left in the chamber or
in the inserted magazine. At the end of training, athletes must
perform a safety check before leaving the shooting range by
opening the bolt and removing the inserted magazine.
Athletes must also remove all ammunition from both the stock
and all the magazines before leaving the shooting range.
Rev. Feb. 2021 4 of 8
This is an open action.
This is open and clear
because the bolt is
back, magazine is
removed, and
chamber is empty.
This is an example of a
properly harness rifle.
Harness riding on both
shoulders.
Rev. Feb. 2021 5 of 8
Range Commands
Range is open or ‘HOT’
Athletes may take their rifle from the rack and approach the firing
line to begin shooting. This command can only be given by the RSO
in charge.
Cease Fire
All shooters must IMMEDIATELY stop shooting, open the bolt and
remove the magazine. Following the instruction of the RSO in
charge you may be instructed to harness you rifle or place it in the
rack. This command can be given by anyone who observes an
unsafe firearm practice on the range.
Other Safety Precautions
Sound Protection
Athletes concerned about hearing loss associated with firearms use
are encouraged to wear hearing protection as long as it does not
impede the athlete’s ability to hear range commands.
Lead Exposure
Minimize lead exposure by washing your hands in cold water. (not
hot or alcohol handwipes) Never put fingers or glove in your moth
after handling ammo or firearms.
Firearm cleaning
Always check that the rifle chamber is clear with the magazine
removed before cleaning
Function check
Always check for proper function before operating a firearm. (don’t
know, ASK!)
Rev. Feb. 2021 6 of 8Kincaid Biathlon Range
Operations and Use
The Municipality of Anchorage owns the range and NSAA is
responsible for its operation and upkeep. The target system is a
HORA 2000E. This is the same target system you will see in most of the
Olympic Biathlon races.
Things that are require for you to use the range:
1. You must have completed a NSAA safety/orientation class.
a. Why do we have a safety class? Each shooting sport has
its own set of rules. Each range has its unique operation
procedures.
2. Must have a current USBA individual membership. This is your
insurance and runs from Oct to Oct. Bring your card with you.
(The supporter does not apply as it is a donation)
3. Must have current range fees payable to NSAA. This helps
cover the cost of maintaining the range, paint, special target
paper, target system repairs, rifle maintenance and building
upkeep. The fee can be a summer or year-round and does
offer family discounts. This also gives you the use of a club rifle
from our vault when you come out to the range. Bring your
card with you.
When you come to the range you should identify the RSO in
charge, find out current status of the range and sign in on the
range log. After practice is over you need to add a round
count to you name on the sign in log. If you used a club rifle
we also ask you to add that information to the rifle board on
the inside of the vault door. This will aid us and you on when to
clean the rifle.
Rev. Feb. 2021 7 of 8Other considerations
Are you left handed? Are you right or left dominate eye? These
are things we would need to know to match you up to a rifle.
How to check your eye dominance:
1. Extend your arms in front of you with your palms facing
away.
2. Bring your hands together, forming a small hole by crossing
the thumbs and forefingers.
3. Choose a small object about 15-20 feet away from you. With
both eyes open, focus on the object as you look through the
small hole.
4. Close one eye and then the other. When you close one eye,
the object will be stationary. When you close the other eye,
the object should disappear from the hole or jump to one
side.
5. If the object does not move when you cover one eye, then
that eye is dominant. The eye that sees the object and does
not move is the dominant eye.
How to use the biathlon sights.
The sights consist of a front and rear sight.
The front sight is typically an open circle
and the rear sight is a small hole. When
you align the front, rear, and target you
should see something like this. This front
sight assembly show the snow cover in
the open, or, ready to shot position. The
rear sight also has a snow cover.
When using a Izhmash club rifle for dry fire
practice be sure to remove the magazine.
This will prevent the firing pin from breaking.
Check with the RSO if you are using
another make of rifle.
Rev. Feb. 2021 8 of 8You can also read
