International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA)
International association for the fullbore target rifle shooting sports of Palma and F-Class
- 1999 Palma and Individual Long Range World Championship 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
- July 2003 – ICFRA was formally founded
- 2011 International Long-range Target Rifle Match held in Australia won by Great Britain
- 2015 International Long-range Target Rifle Match held in the U.S. won by Great Britain
Palma
- fullbore rifle discipline
- shot with iron sighted rifles
- Shot prone
- supported with a sling (no bipods or rests are permitted)
- at ranges from 300 to 1000 yards
- International competitions
- only two permitted calibers .223 Remington or .308 Winchester
About ICFRA
The International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA) is the world governing body for fullbore target rifle shooting, covering iron-sighted Target Rifle (known as Palma rifle in the United States) and the scoped F-Class disciplines. Both are long range events fired at 300 to 1,000 yards or 300 to 900 meters. ICFRA runs the program of World Championships and works to standardize competition rules for Target Rifle and F-Class worldwide. Its membership includes full, affiliated and observer national associations, with the USA among the full members. World Long Range Championships for Target Rifle and F-Class are each held every four years, staggered two years apart, and the winning Target Rifle team receives the Palma Trophy.
The Palma match itself dates to 1876, when the United States won the first contest at Creedmoor, New York, against teams from Ireland and Scotland. Under ICFRA rules, Target Rifle competitors fire bolt-action rifles in .308 Winchester or .223 Remington with bullets under 156 and 91 grains respectively, so results turn on wind reading and marksmanship more than equipment. F-Class, started in Canada by George “Farky” Farquharson, allows telescopic sights and rests and has become one of the fastest growing long range disciplines. For American shooters, ICFRA events connect domestic Palma and F-Class matches to a long tradition of international team competition.
Key Facts
- 1876: The first Palma match is shot at Creedmoor, New York, and won by the United States.
- 1999: At the Palma and Individual Long Range World Championship in South Africa, representatives of 14 countries form a steering committee to succeed the Palma Council.
- July 2003: ICFRA is formally founded; the 2003 Palma match at Bisley is the first with official world team championship status.
- 2015: Great Britain wins the Palma match at Camp Perry, Ohio.
- 2024: Australia wins the Palma match in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
- 2026: The F-Class World Championships are held at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley, Great Britain.
Sources
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