The Vostoks were not based on the Mosin action. The original biathlon rifles used by the Soviets were basically acurized service rifles which were true Mosins. The action used on the MTs13 was developed in the very early 1950s and this action was used a basis for BI 7.62 action which was developed in the late fifties or early sixties. The MTs-13 is a single shot rifle and the BI series are stripper clip loaded into a Nagant magazine (The part of the Mosin Nagant he actually designed).
At that point in time Biathlon was shot out to a distance of 250 meters during a 20 km ski race. The 6.5 mm version was used later because of reduced recoil and excellent accuracy. In 1978 biathlon became a small bore event (.22) at 50 meters and production was stopped.


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This is the 6.5 x54R version

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Details of the action

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Vertical view. Note the stripper clip slots.

Joe

 

thanks for the great photos mr. jleiper

I have read about these; did biathlon for years.
Always wished to shoot biathlon with a high powered rifle.
Where did you find this one?

I guess the Finns too make a variation of "x54r" cartridges, but the 7.62x54r has always done well,,, there are many here that would agree, a lifetime of shooting, study, variation.

 

If anyone is interested, I have a partial box of the 6.5x54R "Vostok" cartridges.

 

If anyone is interested, I have a partial box of the 6.5x54R "Vostok" cartridges.

 

PM sent
Joe