Palma won't be dying over a bullet rule that allows for maximum participation. That makes no sense at all. I was NEVER skeered of somebody shooting big booolits in the slightest. The last person that I knew of that won the Palma at Perry was shooting SIE 200's and that was back in the very early 90's. Why get on a high horse over a non-issue?
Is Palma D.O.A.?
- Thread starter farmergreg
- Start date
Palma won't be dying over a bullet rule that allows for maximum participation. That makes no sense at all. I was NEVER skeered of somebody shooting big booolits in the slightest. The last person that I knew of that won the Palma at Perry was shooting SIE 200's and that was back in the very early 90's. Why get on a high horse over a non-issue?
Effendude, they pulled bullets several times from each shooter at the 2003 Palma Team Tryouts at Camp Butner. They were checking to insure that each shooter had indeed loaded the #2155's.
No skin off my butt. However, I always went through a lot of effort to load my ammo. It's like watching your child die
No skin off my butt. However, I always went through a lot of effort to load my ammo. It's like watching your child die
Yes, I have "some experience" now. I am 43 years old and am going into my 12th year of competitive shooting. I have shot exactly 216 days of shooting matches since 2013, 188 of which were prone-only matches. I have another 40 days of matches remaining on my calendar for 2018. I don't believe that there are many people who have shot more matches than I have in that time frame. If you have, I'll buy you a beer.
Also yes, I am "all hyped up about Palma Palma Palma". I get that that was supposed to be some kind of back-handed insult, but I'm fine with that characterization. I love the game. I believe that there should be a weight limit, and so do many other Palma shooters.
There is no reason for any match director to do anything beyond what they already do. Chambers are not checked under current Palma rules to confirm that competitors are shooting "unmodified" .308 or .223 cartridges, nor do they need to be. If people want to cheat, they will cheat - regardless of what the rules are. Most will not. You disagree, and I am fine with that. This is my hobby, I'll decide what my concerns should be.
Do you think I don't do anything to try to get people interested in shooting Palma? Or that I try to prevent people who show up with a 24" match rifle and 200 grain bullets from shooting a Palma match? I think you might have me confused with someone else.
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The reference to Palma dying was a response to Rifle Woman's post stating: "The quicker Palma, in its present configuration, dies the better, IMO."
When asked what she didn't like about the game, the bullet weight limit was the only answer she provided. Since the rule she doesn't like has never actually existed, I am wondering if she still wants the sport to die over it.
I bow in utter reverence of your perceived experience.
That said, bullet snobs don't cut it with me, never have and never will. I have never sneered my nose down upon ANY shooter that came to the line TO SHOOT THE GAME, no matter what projectile they decided to shoot and I certainly never went to the line feeling that they somehow had some mystical advantage. Wind strategy and the discipline/patience to execute a plan wins out over bullet size most every time. Most of the national records were set with 155's and several still exist by shooters running the lowly 2155's.
In the real world, those using big bullets only hurt themselves when they are restricted to shooting in countries that force a <156gr rule. How many of those big bullet shooters REALLY have a chance of ever shooting there in individual competition to begin with? Right...near next to none. Does it really affect the performance of the "US Team Effort" if they stink up the range using 155's Internationally? Not in the slightest. If they actually make the team, they need not worry about 155's because all they are is a shooting platform.
In light of the above and to quote a very ugly woman "What difference does it make"?
That said, bullet snobs don't cut it with me, never have and never will. I have never sneered my nose down upon ANY shooter that came to the line TO SHOOT THE GAME, no matter what projectile they decided to shoot and I certainly never went to the line feeling that they somehow had some mystical advantage. Wind strategy and the discipline/patience to execute a plan wins out over bullet size most every time. Most of the national records were set with 155's and several still exist by shooters running the lowly 2155's.
In the real world, those using big bullets only hurt themselves when they are restricted to shooting in countries that force a <156gr rule. How many of those big bullet shooters REALLY have a chance of ever shooting there in individual competition to begin with? Right...near next to none. Does it really affect the performance of the "US Team Effort" if they stink up the range using 155's Internationally? Not in the slightest. If they actually make the team, they need not worry about 155's because all they are is a shooting platform.
In light of the above and to quote a very ugly woman "What difference does it make"?
Also, I can assure you that getting the bullet rule changed is not my life's work. I have an opinion about it, and I submitted a rule change proposal to the NRA. It was rejected. I might make some changes to it and submit it again later. That's the extent of it. I only shoot 155's, as I am not interested in gaining any competitive advantage. So, the rule doesn't affect me anyways. I'll keep shooting either way, and the world will keep on turning...
Hengehold
Silver $$ Contributor
I may be among the minority here but I do not see highpower junior programs as a measure for possible growth for Palma/LR/XTC competition. I am a product of one. At age 19 I started shooting as a junior about 15 years ago. It is VERY rare for me to see any of my former fellow junior shooters at a match now. The Gallagher sisters are a great case in point.
New shooter programs such as CMP reduced course matches and 50ft indoor smallbore programs were my introduction to competitive shooting and that seemed like the best sustainable model for bringing in future prospects.
Now that service rifles are moving to optics that could change some of the spillover from one sport to the other.
-Trevor
New shooter programs such as CMP reduced course matches and 50ft indoor smallbore programs were my introduction to competitive shooting and that seemed like the best sustainable model for bringing in future prospects.
Now that service rifles are moving to optics that could change some of the spillover from one sport to the other.
-Trevor
It requires a little patience. Those juniors of 15 years ago are just now getting their lives straightened out to the point where they have the time, assets and desire to make a possible comeback. Those 2 girls are clearly an exception and have little to prove or even possibly have new goals they need to meet. It would not surprise me to see them back one day however. Once it's in your blood....
Speaking for myself, chasing the elusive double-breasted mattress-thrasher became a much higher priority than Smallbore after 1970. Did not pick up a service rifle until 1988 once the needs of Mister Happy were fully satisfied. Once all of that was out of my system, the fish began calling to me and they continue to beckon my attention.
I think what has had a larger impact on the current adult Highpower/Palma numbers is when smallbore programs were decimated by the OSHA rulings on lead by shutting down so many rifle ranges in the 70's. From that point and onward through the 1980's, we are missing a lot of folks that never had rifle competition instilled in their blood.
Speaking for myself, chasing the elusive double-breasted mattress-thrasher became a much higher priority than Smallbore after 1970. Did not pick up a service rifle until 1988 once the needs of Mister Happy were fully satisfied. Once all of that was out of my system, the fish began calling to me and they continue to beckon my attention.
I think what has had a larger impact on the current adult Highpower/Palma numbers is when smallbore programs were decimated by the OSHA rulings on lead by shutting down so many rifle ranges in the 70's. From that point and onward through the 1980's, we are missing a lot of folks that never had rifle competition instilled in their blood.
When I started high school in the 70's. Our school had a small bore team. There were bullet traps along the wall of the wrestling room. Then in 78 the school started a massive remodel and additions. The gym was increased and the wrestling room got eliminated along with the small bore team.
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