I'll never do that again!

 I went to a match on the 26th and guess what I forgot?? My shooting jacket! I had just rearranged my room, and I didn't see my jacket by my dresser. I didn't remember it until I was setting my stuff out to shoot. I told my dad, and he told the match director. He found an old jacket ( like the one in this pic of me in December, before I got a nice custom one) that fit me. My jacket, my sling and the part that hooks the sling to the gun was all at home!! I was mad at myself for doing that, I will NEVER do that again. The padding in the left elbow was ----------- like that thin. My elbow hurt sooo bad after that match. Also, my eye was also too close to the sight (the part that I look through to see my target), because I had 2 minutes to tighten the sling to the right spot, and get in position. So, my sight and shooting glasses got all bloody, because it hit my above my eyebrow a few times. It hurt really bad!! I will never forget my jacket again!!!!!

 Hmm... not much going on this week. I have a match at Plantation (Bellingham) on the 26th, but thats about it =). So, I have to get my brass ready again, hopefully my brother will help clean them after I prep them! He helped clean a few this morning =).

  Well, I'm off to tan with my friend on her roof!!! Tootles!

Way back when (haha)...........

I am going to a mid-range match at Machias tomorrow. Above is a pic of me at my first mid-range match. It was at Machias in August of 2008. I was shooting F-class then, using a front and rear rest. This is how I shoot now, with a sling and iron sights =).

Out of my comfort zone...

    This morning I was invited to speak at the Rotary Club in Lynden. A friend of ours is a member there, and wanted me to tell the club what I'm doing. I told them about me going to Camp Perry Ohio in August, and other stuff about my shooting. I do not like to talk to an "audience". I felt so weird, especially because our (my family's) friend told me that I had to brag a little bit, I don't like to do that =).  But, it went very well.
 

What is Palma?

Here I am with one of my teammates (I'm in the back, he is in the front), with another teammate coaching us in a match.

Modern Palma has its roots firmly fixed to history beginning in 1876 as the "Great Centennial International Long Range Match". This Inaugural International Match had entries from the world over, including Ireland, Scotland, Canada and Australia. This first match was won by the United States, and with this victory came the now famous Palma Trophy. The Palma Trophy was designed by the renowned Tiffany's of New York. It was a full-size replica of a Roman Legion Standard and stood just over 7 1/2 feet tall. It was appointed in Bronze, with Silver and Gold inlay and on the banner was the legend, "In the name of the United States of America to the Riflemen of the World." Above the banner is the single word "Palma", Latin for palm tree used by Romans to signify victory. The original "Palma" trophy disappeared during a time when Palma matches were not being held. No one knows exactly when or how. Most believe it was misplaced while on display in the State War and Navy building around 1930.




Modern Palma has seen many firsts come to the shooting sports including the introduction of the canvas targets and the first range telephone communication in 1897. It was in 1901 when the match program began to change to resemble what our present program is now. In 1901 the distances of 800, 900 and 1000 yards became standard. However, the use of host country military rifles and eight to twenty man teams continued.



Palma competition continued steadily from 1876 until 1925 seeing the transition from muzzle loading to breech loading as well as the transition from black powder to smokeless. No competition occurred from the depression until August of 1966 when the matches were renovated at Camp Perry, Ohio. The teams had now been fixed to 16 firing members. However, the firearms and ammo were still provided by the host country. In 1966 that meant M1 Garands and Lake City 30-06 match ammo. Following Palma matches saw Winchester Model 70's, Lee-Enfields (converted to 7.62 NATO), and Sportco's (Australia) to name just a few.



Following the 1982 Palma Match in Canada, rifles were no longer provided by the host country. This has lead to a search for the "Perfect Palma Rifle". For years U.S. shooters used their National match course rifles -- not so in modern Palma. In 1992 the 30.06 was officially dropped as a legal Palma cartridge. This left only the 7.62 NATO as the world standard. While most "Match Rifles" are adequate to obtain good scores, today's modern Palma rifle is specialized and is built specifically around the Sierra 155 grain 30 cal. Palma bullet. This bullet has revolutionized Long Range Palma shooting, which is restricted to bullets not exceeding 155 grains, and the standard 7.62 NATO (.308 Win) cartridge. Single shot solid bottom actions such as the Remington 40X as well as specialized bench rest actions such as the Stolle and Hart have made strong inroads into Palma Long Range shooting. The British Swing, Paramount, and RPA 2000, all improvements on the same basic design over the years, are also good examples of predominant international actions used almost exclusively for Long Range competition.



The Palma match course is fired from distances of 800, 900, and 1000 yards. The NRA LR target is used at each distance and is also the standard target for international Palma team matches as well. The Palma individual match course is similar to the international Palma team match course. The only significant difference is the number of sighters allowed during the first stage (800 yards) of the individual matches, which varies from 2 to unlimited, depending on the match program. International team and individual Palma course of fire both provide for 2 sighters and 15 shots for record at 900 and 1000 yards. This requires the competitor to really understand their rifle zeros and be a student of the range and wind conditions.



The modern Palma Rifle is evolving, and has begun to resemble an International Small Bore Prone rifle. The Anschutz 1911 is a good example of how to describe the majority of modern Palma rifles at the 1995 World Championships in New Zealand; adjustable cheek pieces, butt plates and specialized prone stocks. The present international weight restriction is 6 kg (13.2 lbs) but is scheduled to be increased to 6.5 kg (14.3 lbs). While there is no weight limit on Palma rifles used for U.S. competition, those planning to compete in Canada or other countries should be aware of rifle weight restrictions. Trigger weights vary from country to country, therefore an adjustable trigger ranging from "Your" preferred minimum to up to 3 1/2 lbs would be recommended. Again as in the overall rifle weight, trigger weight is not an issue in the U.S. but International rules are more stringent and should be planned for. Barrels for the modern Palma rifle are similar to those of our National Match rifles. Palma barrels are long by most standards, averaging around 30" in length. Palma barrel contours are more tapered than many match rifles to keep the weight down. Twist rates from 1-11 through 1-14 work well, with bore and groove dimensions of .298 x .3065 through .300 x .3077 performing adequately. Ideal twists favor the slower 1 turn in 13 inches. Fortunately the Sierra 155 gr. bullet is very forgiving and performs in a variety of barrel twists and internal dimensions. In the past, the internal barrel dimensions played a role in determining the team's chances of winning. In years past military ball ammo of various types and origins were used in competition. It was customary to use tight bore (.297 x .3055) barrels. However, if the host country supplied .309 diameter bullets, accuracy suffered. Before the standard became the Sierra 155 gr. Palma bullet, matching the host country bullet to the Palma barrel was of the utmost importance. This has long been a problem going all the way back to 1903, when the U.S. team had their Krag-Jorgensen rifles fitted with special 8-groove, 1 in 8" twist barrels, made and fitted by the renowned barrel maker of that time, Mr. Harry M. Pope. The U.S. won by a large margin, but subsequently forfeited the match. As it turned out, most of the other teams also had "custom" barrels and the entire match was declared a no contest. This type of gamesmanship has been going on ever since. Like the America's Cup, the Palma match rules are made to keep everyone on a level playing field. However, as time marches on, rules are eclipsed by technology, and therefore, the rules are constantly changing.



There are many very accurate Palma loads for the .308 Winchester. This attests to the inherent accuracy of both the .308 Winchester and the Sierra 155 gr. bullet. Loads that give muzzle velocities of 2925 to 2950 FPS will insure that the bullet stays amply above the speed of sound when fired from 1000 yards.



The U.S. Palma team has traditionally been chosen through individual competition starting at Camp Perry 1 to 2 years prior to the actual Palma Match. Palma matches are typically on 3 to 4 year intervals. The team consists of 16 shooters and 2 alternates, 4 to 6 coaches, armorer, adjutant and team captain. Over the years the Palma team has had expert, master, and high master shooters. Many small-bore shooters have become excellent long rifle shooters because of the similarities of the sports. The Palma team experience is not limited to only a select group, but is available to anyone who dedicates themselves to building long range shooting skills. Representing the United States brings forth a special feeling of nationalism that could only be felt in similar international events such as the Olympics. Participating on the U.S. Palma team is an experience of a lifetime.

What every 13 year-old wants to do

     Yesterday, I had to neck and body size some of my brass. It didn't take too long because my brother cleaned off the case after I sized it (Thanks Nathaniel!!). I am going to a match soon, so I have to load my ammo. It isn't too bad, but I'm tired of it because we (My family and I) just had to prep and load 650+ rounds for May!! One day I loaded 99 rounds, it took so long! For this match, I only have to prep and load about 70 rounds =).

Hi everybody!

    My name is Brianna, I am 13 years old, and I LOVE to shoot match rifle! I am very competitive. I have been shooting with the irons for about a year.  Before I shot irons, I shot F-class & F-Open. I like shooting irons better though =). I shoot both mid-range & long-range with a .308 Palma rifle. I have shot 3 palma matches so far, the Arizona Championships in December 2009, the Washington Championships in May 2010, and the Oregon Regional Championships also in  May 2010.  I am on the Wa. State Junior Rifle team, the Bad Apples =).

  I also shoot smallbore. I enjoyed learning to shoot position in smallbore. It is a lot of fun!! I am working on getting my distinguished expert classification for that.

  My goal right now is to make it on the National Junior Palma Team called the Young Eagles. They are going to the World Championships in 2011. The World Championships are held every 4 years. This year, they are going to be in Australia.

  After the World Championships, I want to start shooting service rifle. I have only shot it one time before, but it was a lot of fun! I am just focusing on my goal right now, making the Young Eagles National Team.