International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations

The International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA) is the international association for the fullbore rifle shooting sports of Target Rifle ('TR') (in the USA 'Palma' Rifle) and F-Class, which are long range competitions shot at distances between 300 and 900 meters or 300 to 1,000 yards depending on the range.[1] F-Class shooters often shoot concurrently with the world's long-range TR shooters and use the same targets, except that the F-Class target has an extra ring half the diameter of the smallest in use for TR. ICFRA manages the programme of World Championships and other major matches for Fullbore Rifle and seeks to standardize the competition rules for TR and F-Class around the world.[2] In competitions, wind reading skills are important. In order to hit their targets competitors must sense wind direction and speed and adjust their sights accordingly by applying knowledge and experience about wind's effect on the Trajectory of the bullet. World Long-Range Rifle Team and Individual Championships for both TR and F-Class are hosted every four years alternately two years apart. The winner of the World Long Range TR Team Championship is awarded the Palma trophy.

International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations
SportFullbore rifle
Jurisdiction International
Membership12 full members,
20 affiliated members,
2 observer members
AbbreviationICFRA
FoundedJuly 2003 (July 2003)
Official website
icfra.com

History

Formation of ICFRA

Starting at the 1999 Palma and Individual Long Range World Championship in South Africa, representatives of 14 countries met and a formed a steering committee to form the foundation of an international organization to become the successor of the Palma Council.[3] ICFRA was formally founded in July 2003 and the management of the Palma Match and the other Target Rifle World Championship events is vested in its World Championship Committee as successor to the Palma Council; and management of F-Class World Championships is vested in it F-Class Committee. The Palma Match shot in 2003 was the first to have the formal status of World Team Championship.

The Palma Match

The Palma Trophy

Palma competition dates from 1876, featuring long-range rifle shooting out to 1,000 yards. The first Palma Match was contested by teams from the U.S., Australia, Canada, Scotland and Ireland (with muzzle-loading rifles at that time). The Match is the world's second-oldest International Team Match, behind only the America's Cup. The matches continued to the late 1920s, and the trophy was eventually lost in Washington DC around the outbreak of WW2. The match was revived in the modern era in 1966 in Canada, and continues between teams from around the world. The bolt action rifles are to ICFRA TR specification (either .308 WIN or .223 REM are allowed) and fire Match Grade ammunition using a 155 or 90 grain bullet respectively using micrometer aperture (iron) sights.[4] The last two International Long-range Target Rifle World Championships were held in the U.S. in 2015 and New Zealand in 2019, when the Palma Trophy was won by Great Britain (2015) and Australia (2019).[5] The Reference contains a history of all results of the Palma Match since its inception. The modern Palma Match requires Teams of 16 Firers occupying 4 Targets: together with 4 Target Wind Coaches, Captain, Manager, Main Wind Coach and 2 Reserves a full strength Palma 'Squad' is 25 persons.

F-Class

F-Class was started in Canada by the late George "Farky" Farquharson after whom the class is named.[6] In the United States, J.J. Conway is considered the "grandfather of F-Class".[7]

Equipment classes

Target Rifle (Palma)

In Palma-style competitions only iron-sighted rifles are permitted, and competitors may use slings and special clothing to increase stability.

Target Rifle is a fullbore rifle discipline shot with iron-sighted rifles at ranges from 300 to 1000 yards or metric equivalents. .[8] Shooting is conducted prone with the rifle supported with an adjustable sling comprising a cuff for the upper arm and an adjustable strap connected to the rifle's forend.[9] Special shooting jackets are permitted, which can increase the stability of the shooter, reduce movement of the firearm due to pulse, help with consistent recoil management and provide padding for the elbows against the ground. Because of the tension of the sling and the weight of the rifle, it is common to use a padded shooting glove in the support hand for comfort. No bipods or rests are permitted. Minimum trigger pull weight is 500 grams (approximately 1.1 lbs). The total weight of the rifle is unlimited. The rifle must be chambered for either the unmodified .308 Winchester/ 7.62×51mm or .223 Remington/ 5.56×45mm cartridge cases. Bullet weight for .308 Win must be less than 156 grains (10 grams) (typically 155 grain bullets are used), and less than 91 grains (5.8 grams) for .223 Rem (typically 80 or 90 grain bullets are used). The type of rear sights used in TR shooting are dubbed "iron sights" or "aperture sights".[10] to distinguish them from telescopic sights or "Riflescopes". The sights move in the vertical and horizontal planes in fixed increments of (typically) 1/4 Minutes of Angle (MOA): as a rule of thumb, moving the sight by 1 MOA moves the impact of the shots by 1 inch (25mm) per hundred yards distance of the target from the rifle. Sights with finer increments (1/8 MOA) or coarser (1/2 MOA) are to be found, but are less commonly seen on iron-sighted full bore target rifles. Shooters may use a foresight lens of no greater magnification of +0.5 dioptre (Focal Length 2M) and a single corrective lens or variable dioptre not exceeding 1.5x magnification in the rearsight. The US Palma Rifle differs little from the Target Rifle specification except in so far as the trigger pull does not have a minimum weight and the chamber specification is 7.62x51mm NATO and 5.56x45mm NATO. US competitions designated 'Palma' often allow bullets heavier than 155 grain: the World Championship Palma Match does not. In addition, US competitions often have a section for service rifles of the appropriate calibre and sighting.

F-Class

In F-Class, telescopic sights, rear bags, and either a bipod or front rest is permitted. The nearest shooter has a bipod, the next one a pedestal rest

F-Class is a rapidly growing variant of Fullbore Target Rifle which permits optical telescopic sights and shooting rests such as a pedestal rest or a bipod at the front of the rifle and a tightly packed sandbag at the rear of the rifle. Competitions are fired at distances from 300 to 1000 yards and, recognising the inherent increase in accuracy of supported rifles, the center of the target has an extra scoring ring which is half the size of the smallest one used in traditional Target Rifle shooting and each ring scores one point less than it does for Target Rifle. Competitors can choose to compete in one of the two classes F(Open) or F/TR:

  • F-Open (Open Class): All rifle calibres up to 8 mm (0.31 in) may be used, along with a scope, and one can choose between using front rest and rear bag, or a bipod/ backpack, also with a rear bag. The weight limit including optics is 10 kg (22 lb).[11]
  • F/TR ("F-Target Rifle"), : A restricted class permitting a scope, bipod/ backpack and rear bag (no front rest), but the rifle has to be of either calibre .223 Remington or .308 Winchester and the bullet may be of any weight. In addition, the weight limit (including optics) for the rifle is 8.25 kg (18.2 lb).[11] The designation '-Target Rifle' reflects the original intention that it would appeal to elderly or less physically able TR shooters who wished to remain in the sport while using their original equipment.


Ammunition

The reason for limiting bullet weights in the fullbore discipline of Target Rifle is to level the playing field and make the competition about physical and wind reading skills instead of about equipment.[12] Lighter bullets usually have a lower ballistic coefficient and are therefore more susceptible to wind drift. .308 Winchester/ 7.62×51mm is limited to a maximum bullet weight of 156 grains (ca. 10 grams), which can be seen as a little bit on the light side for the .308 calibre in long range shooting. .223 Rem/ 5.56×45mm is limited to a maximum bullet weight of 91 grains (ca 5.8 grams), which can be seen as a little on the heavy side for the calibre, thus increasing the long range potential of the otherwise "inferior" .223 calibre compared to the .308. Suprisingly, the little .223 does just a well as a .308, but it is difficult to find a load and a rifle that will shoot competitively, because of the precision there needs to be.

The F-Class Open has no limitations on bullet weight, as long as the calibre is 8mm or less. Note that some ICFRA member associations may have additional national competition classes with other calibre and equipment restrictions; notably a maximum calibre of .35" (8.89mm) in the USA.

Other equipment and accessories

All competitors are allowed to use a spotting scope while shooting. The most important use of the spotting scope is reading the wind by watching mirage downrange, which is easier with higher magnification. Scopes with powers between 30 and 50× and a lens diameter of 50 mm or larger are commonly used.[9] When shooting at paper targets, another common use of the spotting scope is to spot for the scoring disks which are placed onto the targets by range personnel to indicate the score of the shot just fired and its location. The use of scoring disks is not necessary when using electronic targets.

All competitors may use a shooting mat for padding and insulation against the ground.

Match format

The Palma Match course of fire consists of 3 yardages – 800, 900 and 1000 yards or Metric alternatives – with two sighting shots and fifteen shots to count at each. This format is reflected in the courses of fire for the actual Palma Match, the TR Individual Long Range World Championship and the 4 F-Class World Championships (F(O) and F/TR, Individual and Team). In the Team Matches the course is fired twice over two successive days: for the Individual TR Championship three times plus a 'final'- an additional 15 shots at 1000 yards for the top 10 scorers to date. F-Class Individual comprises two Palma Courses followed by 2 shoots of 20 shots at 1000 yards. Domestic Palma Championships may consist of two or three Palma courses. Another course of fire commonly used has yardages at 600 yards and 1000 yards, with 15- or 20-shot strings at each distance.

Most ICFRA Members also provide National Championships and lesser events comprising both long range and short range shoots. The pre-eminent competition is HM the Queen's Prize shot annually at Bisley in the UK, with versions being shot in many Commonwealth Countries. For this, following a qualifying shoot, competitors shoot 10 shots at each of 300, 500 and 600 yards, followed by 15 at 900 and 1000 yards for the top 100 scorers after the short ranges. Fullbore Target Rifle also features in the Commonwealth Games shooting events with both Individual and Pairs events using the Queens Prize format.

Distances and targets

ICFRA competitions can be held in either a short range or long range format (or, typically, both), with distances either in the imperial yards or the metric meters. F-Class shoots at the same targets as Target Rifle, but with the extra ring as described above. The scoring is based on points, with the object to place shots as close to the center or "Bull" as possible.[6] While short range is shot at a different target size for each of the distances, long range is shot at the one and same target for all three distances (800, 900 & 1000 yards). The 'bullseye' is the second smallest ring on the relevant target: the smallest ring is used for breaking tied scores and is designated the 'Vee-Bull' (in the USA the 'X'): for the two or more equal bullseye-based scores that with the highest number of Vee-bulls is superior. The ICFRA bullseye counts 5 points, the US Palma bullseye 10 points making the maximum scores for 10 shots 50 (10-Vee) (ICFRA) or 100 (10-X) in the USA. Thus, 50 with 6 Vees ("50.6") is superior to 49 with 8 Vees ("49.8").

The imperial short range distances are:

  • 300 yd (274.32 m)
  • 500 yd (457.2 m)
  • 600 yd (548.64 m).

The metric short range distances are:

  • 300 m
  • 500 m
  • 600 m.

Long range is shot between 700 m to 1000 yds (914.4 m).

(image missing)
Long Range Target
700 m-1000 yd
Aiming Mark 1120 mm
Extra inner ring
(F-Class only)
128 mm
V-Bull 255 mm
Bull 510 mm
Inner 815 mm
Magpie 1120 mm
Outer 1830 mm

World Champions

The World Long-Range Rifle Team Championships is hosted every four years, where the winning team is awarded the Palma trophy. Prior to 2003 and the foundation of ICFRA, the Palma Match did not confer the title World Champions to the winners, but ICFRA has recognised the Individual World Champions since 1992 inclusive. Below is list of previous Palma winners: the full lists of World Champions Team and Individual for TR and F-Class is to be found on the ICFRA Website.[13] In addition there are World Championship Team Matches for Veterans (60 and over), 21-25 Age Group and Under-21. These are multi-range Matches not shot over the Palma course of fire.

Palma Match team event

Overall
Year Gold Silver Bronze Venue
1876  United States  Ireland  Scotland Creedmoor, USA
1877  United States  Great Britain - Creedmoor, USA
1901  Canada  United States - Sea Girt, USA
1902  Great Britain  United States  Canada Rockliffe, Canada
1903  United States  Great Britain  Canada Bisley, UK
1907  United States  Canada  Australia Rockliffe, Canada
1912  United States  Canada - Rockliffe, Canada
1913  United States  Argentina  Canada Camp Perry, USA
1928  United States  Cuba - Camp Perry, USA
1966  United States  Canada - Camp Perry, USA
1967  Canada  Great Britain  United States Connaught, Canada
1968  United States  Canada - Camp Perry, USA
1969  United States  Great Britain  Canada Connaught, Canada
1970  Great Britain  United States  Canada Bisley, UK
1971  United States  Great Britain  Canada Camp Perry, USA
1972  Canada  United States - Connaught, Canada
1973  United States  Canada - Camp Perry, USA
1974  South Africa  United States  Rhodesia Bloemfontein, South Africa
1976  United States  South Africa  Great Britain Camp Perry, USA
1979  Australia  New Zealand  United States Trentham, New Zealand
1982  Canada  Australia  New Zealand Connaught, Canada
1985  United States  Great Britain  Australia Bisley, UK
1988  Australia  Great Britain  New Zealand Sydney, Australia
1992  Great Britain  Canada  New Zealand Raton, New Mexico
1995  Great Britain  United States  New Zealand Trentham, New Zealand
1999  South Africa  Great Britain  New Zealand Bloemfontein, South Africa
2003  Great Britain  United States  South Africa Bisley, UK
2007  Great Britain  South Africa  Australia Ottawa, Canada
2011  Great Britain  South Africa  United States Brisbane, Australia
2015  Great Britain  United States  South Africa Camp Perry, USA
2019  Australia  Great Britain  United States Seddon Range, New Zealand
2023 South Africa

Individual Long Range world Championships

The following categories are awarded:

  • Overall
  • Veterans (over 60 years)
  • Age 21-25 years
  • Age under 21 years

in addition there are special prizes for:-

  • Super Veteran (over 70 years)
  • Highest Female shooter: Fullbore Rifle is gender-blind, recognising that female shooters can, and frequently do, outscore their male colleagues. See 2003 Overall Individual below for example.
Overall
Year Gold Silver Bronze Venue
1992 TA Ringer A St G Tucker D Coleman Raton, New Mexico, United States
1995 TA Ringer DC Calvert E Pintard Trentham, New Zealand
1999 DV Enslin SR Dunstall Ms N Zinmaster Bloemfontein, South Africa
2003 (Miss) SJ Gallacher J Pugsley Lt N Ball National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2007 DC Luckman M Collings (Mrs) N Zinmaster-Mayo Connaught, Canada
2011 R Jeens A du Toit DC Luckman Brisbane, Australia
2015 B Emms N Ball M Pozzebon Camp Perry, Ohio, United States
2019 S Negus M Bailey DC Luckman Trentham, New Zealand
Veteran
Year Gold Silver Bronze Venue
2003 EE Stigant National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2007 TJ Whitaker Connaught, Canada
2011 TJ Whitaker Brisbane, Australia
2015 David Tubb Camp Perry, Ohio, United States
2019 MI Buchanan Trentham, New Zealand
2023 South Africa
Under 25 year
Year Gold Silver Bronze Venue
2003 R Stewart National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2007 P Seebohm Connaught, Canada
2011 A du Toit Brisbane, Australia
2015 Jack Alexander Camp Perry, Ohio, United States
2019 C Schwebel Trentham, New Zealand
Under 21 years
Year Gold Silver Bronze Venue
2003 PRD Stock National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2007 DA Richardson Connaught, Canada
2011 No championship held
2015 Waylon Burbach Camp Perry, Ohio, United States
2019 L Rettmer Trentham, New Zealand

Individual F-Class

Overall
Year Class Gold Silver Bronze Venue
2002 W Scholze L Bartholome R Crone Connaught, Canada
2005 MW Tompkins L Bartholome S Ahrens Bloemfontein, South Africa
2009 Open G Costello D Parr G Taylor National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2009 F-TR R Simmonds G Barnard S Pate National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2013 Open K Adams M Lobert B Mead NRA Whittington Center, Raton, New Mexico, United States
2013 F-TR N Taylor R Simmonds D Buell NRA Whittington Center, Raton, New Mexico, United States
2017 Open R Davies P Sandie A Pohl Connaught, Canada
2017 Open - U25 R Ireland J West M Bramley Connaught, Canada
2017 F-TR D Rodgers K Chou B Litz Connaught, Canada
2017 FTR - U25 M Fitzpatrick S McSparron C McSparron Connaught, Canada
2021 Open Bloemfontein, South Africa
2021 F-TR Bloemfontein, South Africa
2025 Open National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain
2025 F-TR National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain

See also

References

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