History - Tryout Procedure - Details of the Match. Brief History:

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1 MINI-PALMA TEAM History - Tryout Procedure - Details of the Match Brief History: The "Mini-Palma Match" is a friendly international long range prone competition between the New England States and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. The "Match" was started about 35 years ago by the famous Vermont rifleman and gunsmith Creighton Audette and Canadian Al Much. The location alternates annually between countries. The idea was to promote the shooting sports, camaraderie, and sportsmanship through competition. Original teams consisted of 10 shooters with coaches on each side. The match program was that of the host country. In the beginning the Canadians were issued IVI 7.62 ball ammo by the government. They did not reload then and built rifles to shoot that ammo. We reloaded ammo to fit our rifles. So our rifles didn't shoot their ammo very well and their rifles didn't shoot our hand loads either. There was a lot of rifle borrowing going on in the early days. A while ago they stopped shooting the government supplied ammo and discovered reloading. Equipment has leveled out over time and now we all complain about the price of bullets and powder. After the match the host team puts on a jacket and tie awards banquet. We enjoy a few drinks, a good meal, and jab each other about the day's events. Then the trophies are presented. There are traveling trophies for the winning team and the high shooter. We would then exchange simple gifts, a club pin or hat, some homemade jam or maple syrup. Everyone looked forward to the gifts, it put a personal touch to the event. Over time the gifts got a little out of hand and a hiatus was put on the giving. I hope we get back to the basic gift exchange this year to restore the tradition. We regularly bring our wives/husbands along and make a little vacation out of the event. Originally, there was only one high power rifle discipline. Today there are several, across the course (the original), mid-range, long range, and international full bore. To that add TRO/F-TR/F-Class. A few years ago at the request of the Canadians the team makeup was changed. We now have 8 sling/ iron sight shooters and 4 TRO/F-TR/F-Class shooters. I guess we have to keep up with the times. 1

2 A separate match is often shot before or after the Mini-Palma Match. This year the Canadians will host the event in Nova Scotia (Sept. 7th ) and will have their Atlantic Championship the same weekend ( Sept. 5th & 6th ) - an opportunity to get two additional days of shooting and some good zeros. I guess Creighton and Al had a good idea. We've had some super shoots, great experiences, and made some wonderful friends. I hope you'll consider joining us. It's much more than just a match. 2 TRYOUT PROCESS: With the match being early in September, and the big events at Camp Perry stretching well into August, we plan to have a team selected by the end of July. We've tried several methods of team selection. For several years, selection was made from a single shoot off or from a few designated matches. Later you submitted your best three 600 yard scores. This year we're going to try something a little different, a two part tryout. We are going to combine your ranking in two matches - one of your choice (the first part) and one mandatory (the second part). Your ranking in a match will be based on where you place in the match. Using the ranking system (a descending point system) instead of scores has proven to make up for different match conditions, and provide a fair comparison of shooter's abilities. * One slot on each squad (sling & F-class) will be reserved for a new team member. The tryouts also act as fund raisers. The host team is responsible for running the match and providing the banquet/award ceremony, a cost of between $1, and $2, In 2016 that responsibility will be ours. Fund raising has to begin now. Your $5.00 tryout fees in conjunction with the generosity of the High Power directors, Bruce Brown at Nashua and Charlie Trickett at Reading, who hold benefit matches for us, are our only source of funds. Every five dollar tryout fee is important to the team. **Let me start with the second part first. On July 12th at Cheshire County Fish & Game Club, Inc. we are going to have a shoot off. All competitors seeking a spot on the team will have to attend. This is the first time all shooters will be at one match and meet each other. The importance of this stage is to set up a competitive situation among all participants. It's required so competitors will have to perform under the pressure of match conditions. No do over, this one counts just like the team match in Canada. We will shoot three 20 round 600 yard matches both sling and F-class. You must use.308 or.223 in this match because that's what we have to shoot in

3 Canada. There will be a $5.00 tryout fee in addition to the regular fees charged by the range. ($25.00 match fee + $20.00 pit service if available) You will be assigned a number representing your placement (ranking) among tryout shooters in the match. Not all competitors shooting on the 12th will be trying out for the team. I will use a descending numerical ranking of 15 points (or higher if more than 15 shooters compete) for the high shooter, 14 points for second place, down to 1 point for the fifteenth placed shooter. This system will be employed for both sling and F-class competitors. This ranking will be added to the highest ranking of the matches you submitted prior to July 12th. **The first part of the tryout gives you some flexibility. You get to choose which match or matches held anywhere to compete in. You can shoot as many mid-range or long range matches as you want using the same ranking system and use your highest ranking to add to the mandatory match ranking. This ranking will be made using all competitors since only a few may be trying out for the team. You must use either a.308 or.223 in the match - you're on your honor. For a score to be considered, you must fill out the notification form (download from this document) and include a $5.00 fee prior to firing the match. If I am (or Larry Racine or Larry Piazza) at the match, I'll collect it before the first shot. You can give the match director a sealed stamped envelope addressed to me with the form and fee prior to the beginning of the match and ask him to drop it in the mail. You don't get to buy a lottery ticket after the numbers are drawn and you will have to select matches before you shoot them. Remember your $5.00 tryout fee is important to the program. You have to let me know where to find the match results so I can determine your ranking. If you notify me after the match is fired I will not consider that match as part of your tryout. I will maintain a spread sheet with all submitted rankings for all competitors. At the conclusion of the July 12th match, I hope to be able to post a list of all competitors final rankings. Positions on the team will be offered to the first 8 sling shooters and to the first 4 F-class shooters. One spot on each squad will be reserved for a new shooter. Should all 8 and 4 places be filled with previous team members, the 8th and 4th spots will be offered to the highest ranking new shooters. If any offers for team positions are declined the next shooter on the list will be offered that spot. I will continue down the list until the team slots are filled. Should team positions remain unfilled when the list is exhausted, they will be filled by invitation. 3

4 In addition to the team members, I would like to have at least one alternate for both sling and F-class. Alternates will be able to shoot in the Atlantic Championship and help out for the Mini-Palma Match. Competitors not making the team will be able to travel to Canada and compete in the Atlantic Championship and get a taste of international competition. MATCH DETAILS: Now that you've made the team or decided to travel with us to shoot the Atlantic Championship, there are some important thing to be aware of and do. I will assume that you never traveled to Canada with firearms. You must have the following: 1. US passport If you don't already have one, apply early-90 days or more be sure to allow sufficient time. If you already have a passport, make sure it won't expire before your return. 2. Declaration of firearms ownership from US customs Stop at US customs before entering into Canada and go in and tell them you have firearms to declare. Do not bring firearms into customs. You can bring in the serial number and descript They will usually come out to your vehicle to check serial numbers and fill out the form. This is a must. You may not get your rifle into Canada or back into the US without it. It is wise to declare any valuables so you can get them back into the US without paying tax. Custom's form # 4457 (060992) 3. Canadian non-resident firearms declaration form Proceed to Canadian customs and tell them you have firearms to declare. Do not bring firearms inside. They will come out to check. Do not bring handguns or semi-automatic rifles into Canada. The form can be downloaded and filled out but we had to fill one out in front of them. Have your US declaration form with you. They charge a fee ($25.00 Canadian) for the permit. You are supposed to keep this permit with you at all times 4. Copy of Atlantic Championship match program We will obtain a copy of their match program for you to prove you are going to a shooting match. I don't believe this is required, but nice to have. 5. Separate firearms and ammo storage Keep your rifles and ammo separate. Try to keep everything out of sight and locked up. 4

5 The match: Things are done a little differently in Canada. They have a 5 point target instead of 10 points and a "V" ring instead of an "X" ring. The "V" is worth 5 points and called a "V Bull", 5 ring called "Bull", 4 ring called "Inner", 3 ring called "Outer", and 2 ring called "Magpie". For the Mini-Palma team match, we will fire three 15 round matches with two convertible sighters. Convertible sighters can be used as record shots. You can use both sighters or the second sighter but not the first sighter alone. Each team will divide into two or three squads with assigned coaches, and shoot on assigned targets. Teams will be allowed a block time to complete each match, with time management the responsibility of each squad. Each shooter will complete his string before the next shooter takes his point. Shooters will be responsible for the elevation of each shot and the coach responsible for the windage. Teams must provide score keepers for the other team. Shooters usually take turns with this if we do not have alternates or volunteers to score. They like to take a lunch break - they make some great chili. For the Atlantic Championship, two shooters will be assigned to each firing point. You exchange score cards and will pair fire. You are allowed 45 seconds per shot and alternate shots with your partner. He will keep your score and you will keep his. Convertible sighters are allowed. When the match is complete, you may not leave the mound until you clear each other's rifle and then have the line officer check both rifles again. You may not bring carts or stools up on the line. Most shooters use a small range bag to carry the necessities to the line. They do not want communication between shooters to be compromised by equipment. I will post a match program from the Canadians as soon as I get it. My objective is to get more shooters involved in this match. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We will make every effort to make your participation possible. Peter De Santis Home: Court Street Cell: Keene, NH americandesignhomes@gmail.com Larry Racine Work: Suburban Acres Home: N. Swanzey, NH lpracine@myfairpoint.net Larry Piazza Cell: Central Square lcp@scotchcove.com Keene, NH Palma is an NRA registered trademark 5

6 MINI-PALMA TEAM TRYOUT NOTIFICATION Name: Address: Phone: Are you a previous "Mini-Palma " team member? Yes No Match Date: Match description: Match location: Match Director: Match results location: Comments: 6