<P> The competitions from 1958 to 1965 used high - power centerfire cartridges , such as the . 30 - 06 Springfield and the 7.62 × 51mm NATO , before the . 22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge was standardized in 1978 . The ammunition was carried in a belt worn around the competitor 's waist . The sole event was the men 's 20 kilometres ( 12 mi ) individual , encompassing four separate ranges and firing distances of 100 metres ( 330 ft ) , 150 metres ( 490 ft ) , 200 metres ( 660 ft ) , and 250 metres ( 820 ft ) . The target distance was reduced to 150 metres ( 490 ft ) with the addition of the relay in 1966 . The shooting range was further reduced to 50 metres ( 160 ft ) in 1978 with the mechanical targets making their debut at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid . </P>
<P> The competitions from 1958 to 1965 used high - power centerfire cartridges , such as the . 30 - 06 Springfield and the 7.62 × 51mm NATO , before the . 22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge was standardized in 1978 . The ammunition was carried in a belt worn around the competitor 's waist . The sole event was the men 's 20 kilometres ( 12 mi ) individual , encompassing four separate ranges and firing distances of 100 metres ( 330 ft ) , 150 metres ( 490 ft ) , 200 metres ( 660 ft ) , and 250 metres ( 820 ft ) . The target distance was reduced to 150 metres ( 490 ft ) with the addition of the relay in 1966 . The shooting range was further reduced to 50 metres ( 160 ft ) in 1978 with the mechanical targets making their debut at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid . </P>
what kind of guns do they use in the olympics
what kind of guns do they use in the olympics
. 22 Long Rifle
. 22 Long Rifle