Acronym help please: Palma?

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Gnomon

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I've been trying to figure out what Palma stands for, and so far what I've come up with is: Prone And Long-range Microscopic Aperature. Googling it is not helpful, nor is the NRA website (since Palma is their trademark).

Close?

Rob
 
Not an acronym. Refers to the original trophy, and an old tradition of palms (from palm tree) being awarded to victors.
 
Latin scholars, referring to the writings of the Roman orator, statesman, and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero, believe the word implies victory or honor or glory. The Romans often used the palm interchangeably with the laurel wreath as a symbol of victory. A second panel bore the words, "In the name of the United States of America to the riflemen of the world." The rest of the trophy is a baroque collation of scrollwork, fasces, friezes, and fringes. A great chain, holding discs to be engraved with the winner's names, was draped from both upper corners. It did not take long for both the trophy and the match to be referred to as The Palma.
 
Taken from http://www.palma.org/USA/basics.htm


History of the PALMA Trophy Match

The first PALMA Trophy Match was held on September 13-14, 1876 at Creedmoor Range, Long Island, New York, USA. Participants were Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. The United States won this competition. Since then, 27 official competitions have been held, plus three unofficial competitions. The United States has won 13 of the 27 competitions.

Countries that have participated through the years but not necessarily in every match are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Channel Islands, Continental Europe, East and Central Africa, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Kenya, Natal, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, West Germany, West Indies and the United States. Additionally, Cuba participated in one of the unofficial PALMA Matches.

Ranges that the matches have been conducted at are: Anzac (Australia), Bisley Camp (England), Bloemfontein (South Africa), Camp Perry (USA) Connaught (Canada), Rockcliffe (Canada ) Sea Girt (USA), Seddon Range (New Zealand) Whittington Center (USA).
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Spirit of the Competition

Once again, as the pageantry of the PALMA unfolds, nations will brave the trials and anxieties of another international competition. Newer competing nations will take an easier course to attend and participate for the experience. This is a safe goal because experience will be gained in large quantities.

However, the Australian, British, Canadians and New Zealanders trek to the competitions for one main purpose, to fairly claim victory and possession of the PALMA trophy. There is no solace here. You either win and experience the euphoria of glory and world victory or you lose and feel the agony of defeat. For these teams second place is not good enough. It is still only second to the victors. Not much glory in that.

The USA PALMA Team is proud to identify with competing for victory, understanding that if you somehow did not win, you must call up additional personal resource to stand proudly in good sportsmanship and congratulate those who just outperformed you. Then to analyze the reason for defeat and deepen your commitment and resolve to meet your competition in the future and go for it all. A champion never quits, a quitter never lasts to grow into a champion.
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Palma rifles...

The NRA defines the Palma rifle as one that is chambered for .308 Winchester (7.62 mm NATO), and has metallic sights. The NRA does not define any explicit weight for the rifle and sights or the trigger. However, the Palma rifle is regulated by an international standard (set by the Palma Council). This organization requires that the rifle weight no more than 6.5 Kg (about 14.3 lbs.), and the trigger must lift a weight of at least 1.5 Kg (about 3.2 lbs). Moreover, this group limits the available bullets to one: the 155 gr Sierra Match King Palma bullet. The U.S. NRA does not make any restriction.
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Courses of fire:

600 yard: Typically 600-yard matches (the beginning of long range) are fired with three twenty shot courses. Each course is allowed two sighters. Commonly the first would be an any sight match (remember I said the majority of the matches were metallic sight, not all), followed by two metallic sight matches. These are typically one-day events, and are conducted in Michigan at the Washtenaw Sportsman Club in Ypsilanti, Fort Custer in Battle Creek and at the Cadillac Sportsman's Club.

1000 yard: Typically a 1000-yard match is held at Camp Grayling, and occupies a two-day weekend. The typical course of fire is two any sight matches, and three metallic sight matches. All of the matches are twenty rounds and unlimited sighters. As indicated before all matches are fired prone.

Palma: The Palma course of fire is 15 shots at 800 yards, 15 shots at 900 yards, and 15 shots at 1000 yards. Unlimited sighters precede the 800-yard stage and the 900 and 1000-yard stages are allowed two sighters.
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"...Acronym help please: Palma?..." It's not an acronym. It's one of the many types of long range matches you can shoot, if you have the right equipment.
The DCRA has a form of it. Go here and read the 'Full Bore' rules. http://www.dcra.ca/events.htm
"...the Palma rifle..." Typically heavy barreled, single shot, .308 Win rifles using iron sights and 155 grain match bullets only.
 
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