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.
what kind of guns do they use in the olympics
. 22 Long Rifle