The Palma Trophy Match was originally a match between the USA and Canada. Then the United Kingdom was added and now teams from around the world, with Austrailia, New Zealand and South Africa being the major other competitive teams.
It is shot at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. Teams of 16 shooters, 15 shots per range each, repeated on a second day. A real test of long range shooting.
Until the 60's it was shot with military rifles, with M14's supplied by the host Americans Team at Camp Perry being tha last, as I recall.
Then it changed to the host country suppling all teams with identical target rifles. After 20 years of that format it changed to bring your own rifle.
Just as car manufactures promote cars and better the breed through racing, some rifle manufactuers get involved with Palma rifles. In 1992 Ruger developed a target rifle and gave one to each member of the American Team. They used Ruger barrels instead of quality barrels (like Krieger or Obermyer). The result was the team lost valuable time and focus before realizing the rifle was a lost cause.
Canadians have long used a single shot Savage to build target rifles. A Canadian company, CIL, sold re-badged Savages as target rifles. These were built to a specifiction set by CIL. When Savage supplied the rifles with the wrong chamber (throat too long for the NATO round) CIL ordered a batch of Walther barrels, so each new purchase came as a Savage rifle with a spare barrel.
When I got involved with Savage I started to hound them about building a target rifle, based on a single shot action (for stiffness and easier bedding) My dream was to build the rifle without milling off the top of the receiver. I wanted a loading port on the side, like a Swing, Witchita or Musgrave, or even a Remington 788. At their request, I supplied pictures of target rifles with ports.
They started to build prototypes. First one for evaluation, then 20 and then production models. But because the way the machining equipment was set up, they could not skip milling off the top of the receiver. Subsequent steps of machining entered the receiver from the top.
Sales and reputation for accuracy climbed and they designed the new F class rifle and the F/TR, which, at last, used a loading port.
Savage is now building a new model Palma target rifle. I assume it will be released for general sale.
According to Doug Buell, of Team Savage, "We have had the Team rifles for 2 weeks now. In general, they are a noticeable bump up in quality over even the very good Savage Model 12 F-T/R.
The adjustable furniture on the stock is a particularly nice touch. The fit and finish are improved, both inside and out, specifically the bores are much improved. The accuracy is fantastic, we have been doing fireforming and general load workup for F-Class Nationals in a few weeks, and are finding out what loads the rifles like to consume.
Currently we are finding that they like both the Berger 155VLD's and the new 155.5's with .6-.75" 200 yard groups. My only grouse (and it's relatively minor) is the twist rate is merely a 1:13. I know the Palma shooters will like this, but I find myself yearning for a 1:12!"
The picture shows a scope and bi-pod, as the rifle is dressed for ammo testing. The barrel is .75" at the muzzle, and will be fitted with irion sights, front and back.
It is shot at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. Teams of 16 shooters, 15 shots per range each, repeated on a second day. A real test of long range shooting.
Until the 60's it was shot with military rifles, with M14's supplied by the host Americans Team at Camp Perry being tha last, as I recall.
Then it changed to the host country suppling all teams with identical target rifles. After 20 years of that format it changed to bring your own rifle.
Just as car manufactures promote cars and better the breed through racing, some rifle manufactuers get involved with Palma rifles. In 1992 Ruger developed a target rifle and gave one to each member of the American Team. They used Ruger barrels instead of quality barrels (like Krieger or Obermyer). The result was the team lost valuable time and focus before realizing the rifle was a lost cause.
Canadians have long used a single shot Savage to build target rifles. A Canadian company, CIL, sold re-badged Savages as target rifles. These were built to a specifiction set by CIL. When Savage supplied the rifles with the wrong chamber (throat too long for the NATO round) CIL ordered a batch of Walther barrels, so each new purchase came as a Savage rifle with a spare barrel.
When I got involved with Savage I started to hound them about building a target rifle, based on a single shot action (for stiffness and easier bedding) My dream was to build the rifle without milling off the top of the receiver. I wanted a loading port on the side, like a Swing, Witchita or Musgrave, or even a Remington 788. At their request, I supplied pictures of target rifles with ports.
They started to build prototypes. First one for evaluation, then 20 and then production models. But because the way the machining equipment was set up, they could not skip milling off the top of the receiver. Subsequent steps of machining entered the receiver from the top.
Sales and reputation for accuracy climbed and they designed the new F class rifle and the F/TR, which, at last, used a loading port.
Savage is now building a new model Palma target rifle. I assume it will be released for general sale.
According to Doug Buell, of Team Savage, "We have had the Team rifles for 2 weeks now. In general, they are a noticeable bump up in quality over even the very good Savage Model 12 F-T/R.
The adjustable furniture on the stock is a particularly nice touch. The fit and finish are improved, both inside and out, specifically the bores are much improved. The accuracy is fantastic, we have been doing fireforming and general load workup for F-Class Nationals in a few weeks, and are finding out what loads the rifles like to consume.
Currently we are finding that they like both the Berger 155VLD's and the new 155.5's with .6-.75" 200 yard groups. My only grouse (and it's relatively minor) is the twist rate is merely a 1:13. I know the Palma shooters will like this, but I find myself yearning for a 1:12!"
The picture shows a scope and bi-pod, as the rifle is dressed for ammo testing. The barrel is .75" at the muzzle, and will be fitted with irion sights, front and back.
Last edited:
