TargetTalk

How To Improve Your Izhmash Biathlon Rifle

I think that the Izhmash Biathlon rifle is a great, accurate target rifle that can be improved dramatically with just a few accessories. This is what I have done to modify mine and my wife’s rifles -
The first thing I did to our rifles was polish the bores by firing Final Finish bore polishing ammo –

http://www.davidtubb.com/ff-kit-22-lr-rimfire-100-ct

I’ve used this product in .308 High Power rifles to good effect.

Next was to replace the outdated harness, cuff, handstop and prone sling with the far superior products at Altius Firearms -
http://www.altiusguns.com/category.php?category_id=26

You will need a Core Sport Rifle Cover too, as the supplied one with the Izhmash has no open bolt window -
http://www.altiusguns.com/category.php?category_id=26

I actually modified the T nut that comes with the Altius harness to fit into the existing harness mount on the Izhmash stock, using a file, hacksaw and some Emory cloth or sand paper.

I think the weakest part of the Izhmash after replacing those items are the sights. They are just too coarse and don’t have an adjustable iris.

I didn’t like the front sight picture, so I replaced it with an Anschutz. The Anschutz front sight I got is a 9735, size 1.8 - 4.3 . Now the sight picture is much tighter !!
http://www.championshooters.com/store/p ... 325&page=2

Next I replaced the rear iris. You can use any iris that does not have optical magnification ( color filters and polarization is ok ). The rear sight I got for my 55 year old eyes is a 9565 which works great -
http://www.championshooters.com/store/h ... n=0&page=2

My wife is using a 9510 - http://www.championshooters.com/store/p ... 325&page=1

There are several others. Champion’s Shooter Supply let me order several, try them, and send back the ones I didn’t want !!

Remember - adjustable rear irises with colored filters ( great for us older folks that have a hard time seeing the target ) and polorizers are legal, magnification is not !!

You will need to get the Altius front sight and rear sight Izhmash – Anschutz thread converters ( Altius also carries Anschutz sights ) -
http://www.altiusguns.com/category.php?category_id=27

Add a blinder from Altius if you want and you will have a great shooting rifle !!

Good shooting !! Craig Peer

After all that modifying, it would seem like it would be easier to buy the Anschutz right away. When all is said and done, I'll bet the cost would be pretty close the same.

Hi:
Most of the parts Craig1956 added to his Izhmash cost a few hundred bucks. He is still a long way from the price of an Anschutz even if he started with a new Izhmash.

We had Mt Guns install a new Anschutz barrel on our Izhmash when we bought last fall (it was below +15 for most of the winter in MN). With the new parts added by Craig, I would still have $1200. less in it than a new Anschutz.

George

Including buying my Izhmash in California from MT Guns, paying sales tax, paying an FFL $ 100.00 and paying $ 25.00 shipping on the rifle, and all those parts upgrades, I paid a total for my rifle of around at most $ 2200.00. An Anschutz Fortner is $ 3195.00, plus shipping, plus $ 100 for an FFL. And if I didn't like the stock front sight and rear iris that come on the Fortner stock, add $ 300.00 plus shipping for the ones I have now. That comes to $ 3,320.00 - $ 3,620.00 for the Anschutz.

And many people ( including some that sell and own Anschutz ) actually prefer the Izhmash stock for shooting.

I did just about the same thing to my 7-3 and actually haven't gotten around to putting the new harness on it and have found the old harness is OK for now. Also, my Izmash came with several rear apertures and I have found myself changing them out depending on how much light their is on that particular day. I prefer the smaller aperture but some days it's just to dark for my liking.

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. It's people like you who help educate other people and make the sport that much more interesting.

Shucks some of the URL's are not functioning since this was posted over a year ago. :(

Thanks - I fixed / updated the links so they should work now !

Craig,
I've got an Izhmash 7-3 I'm modifying to suit my needs. I am struggling to picture your rear/front sight setup. Can you post pictures?

Also has anyone found a bore guide for the Izhmash action? I'm struggling to find one commercially available.