Palma Alliance 2018
- Thread starter mgunderson
- Start date
Kind of reminds me of Novatian and Cyprian.
That’s where we got the idea!
Long ago in a land far, far away, I was ridiculed and looked upon with disdain by a group of Palma Snobs at the local range because I did not fire the Holy Grail of "official" bullets in my very first Palma Match (where I utterly destroyed them by 25 points). The next Palma my Paramount was in front using 180gr Wayne's Whistlers by only a mere 10 points. The #2155 of the day held little appeal for me (1995) other than for 600yd events, where I used it exclusively. They shot pretty danged well for that purpose however.
Fast forward to Camp Perry in '97 where the 1999 team tryouts were being held. A switch was made just prior to that event using the SIE #2155 (aka, Barbie Bullet...aka Copper Sail). Think I ended up 6th in the Tompkins Agg just prior to the tryout using the #2155's and irons in all events. It really didn't take much to get adjusted to them because I rarely touch the sight once I center up in my firing parameter, preferring to have patience to wait out conditions using the old "you crank the knob and you will lose" philosophy. Was sold on 2155's ever since that day because I knew that if I didn't REALLY learn them well, my personal goals could not be met.
My #2155 scores equaled the highest 1000yd/Palma scores I'd ever fired using those 180 VLD's, but the X-counts were actually higher using the little Barbie Bullet.
Not long after that timeframe, I witnessed the MWPC get won by a shooter using the #2155 with irons in all events (he may have done it twice). The same for the Tomkins Agg at Perry...some young shooter named Fox won the whole shooting match with those 155's and irons.
Now, does a big bullet really yield a distinct advantage over the 155's? Well, simply look at F-TR class results. There's a lot to be said for 185, 200 and 215gr low drag bullets. A Palma shooter using them "can" have an advantage under the right conditions. But, they don't allow them in International rules. The only people that should worry about using the 155gr pills are those smart enough to recognize that they had better learn them if their goal is a medal or two under those specific rules or if they ever have a desire to coach shooters running 155's. Otherwise, shoot whatever floats your boat.
Fast forward to Camp Perry in '97 where the 1999 team tryouts were being held. A switch was made just prior to that event using the SIE #2155 (aka, Barbie Bullet...aka Copper Sail). Think I ended up 6th in the Tompkins Agg just prior to the tryout using the #2155's and irons in all events. It really didn't take much to get adjusted to them because I rarely touch the sight once I center up in my firing parameter, preferring to have patience to wait out conditions using the old "you crank the knob and you will lose" philosophy. Was sold on 2155's ever since that day because I knew that if I didn't REALLY learn them well, my personal goals could not be met.
My #2155 scores equaled the highest 1000yd/Palma scores I'd ever fired using those 180 VLD's, but the X-counts were actually higher using the little Barbie Bullet.
Not long after that timeframe, I witnessed the MWPC get won by a shooter using the #2155 with irons in all events (he may have done it twice). The same for the Tomkins Agg at Perry...some young shooter named Fox won the whole shooting match with those 155's and irons.
Now, does a big bullet really yield a distinct advantage over the 155's? Well, simply look at F-TR class results. There's a lot to be said for 185, 200 and 215gr low drag bullets. A Palma shooter using them "can" have an advantage under the right conditions. But, they don't allow them in International rules. The only people that should worry about using the 155gr pills are those smart enough to recognize that they had better learn them if their goal is a medal or two under those specific rules or if they ever have a desire to coach shooters running 155's. Otherwise, shoot whatever floats your boat.
Interesting story. I bought my Palma rifle in the mid 1990's, from which time I have exclusively used 155's. Prior to that, I had used 190's beyond 600 yards, and 168's from 600 yards and in. To be perfectly honest, I enjoy shooting the Palma rifle and 155's more than any of the other .308 bullets I have have shot prior to them. I have found the the advantage to the 155's, over the 190's, to be that the reduced recoil allows for a better follow-thru, and faster re-acquisition of the target. Granted the heavier bullets are less sensitive to wind related drift, but the 155's can be driven a bit faster. For now, any bullet can be used for Palma shooting in the US, however, US fullbore rules still require 155's, as do international rules, as you mentioned. All in all, I like the 155's, and will continue to use them as long as I am able to shoot slung up. I would also argue that if one wants to play in the Palma game, one should play by the Palma rules, and that would include using 155 grain bullets.
John
Russ,
I’ve been saving #69 for you since day 1! .If you’re serious, send me your mailing address.[/QUOTE]
I Did this for 5 years from 2010 till 2015... Its time to play with other stuff. Your a little late to the game for me... sorry. Best of Luck to you and the guys. I will continue to support you in your endevour however I can... Of course you already know that.
I’ve been saving #69 for you since day 1! .If you’re serious, send me your mailing address.[/QUOTE]
I Did this for 5 years from 2010 till 2015... Its time to play with other stuff. Your a little late to the game for me... sorry. Best of Luck to you and the guys. I will continue to support you in your endevour however I can... Of course you already know that.
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Sure sounds like Mitch LOL.
Erud keeps telling me this is not the easy path.
What about 300m matches?
Sounds like fullbore to me...155's, all the way!
My sights won't go down far enough for me to shoot less than 800 yards. Once I get a adjustable front sight, I'll shoot mid-range/fullbore with 155's.
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