Custom RPA 2000 Palma F-Class .308 Win 30″ Single Shot Target Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,426.01
LSB#: LSB260529RM004
Make: RPA / Custom Build
Model: RPA 2000 Palma / F-Class Target Rifle
Serial Number: 42053
Year of Manufacture: Unknown / Modern
Caliber: .308 Winchester
Action Type: Right Handed Bolt Action, Single Shot
Markings: The right side of the action is marked “RPA 2000”, “ENGLAND”, and “4 2053”. The lower right side is marked “O.K. WEBER EUGENE OR”.
Barrel Length: 30″ stainless steel Shilen barrel. According to the accompanying build sheet, the barrel has a 1:10″ twist and has been fired fewer than 300 rounds.
Sights / Optics: The top of the action is fitted with a 20 MOA Picatinny-style rail. There is a front sight mounting base at the muzzle. The rifle comes with its adjustable W. Germany W. Gehmann D75 Karlsruhe diopter front sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece laminated wood competition stock with a broad flat-bottomed vented forend, sculpted near-vertical pistol grip, raised straight comb, and fully adjustable aluminum buttplate. The stock shows scattered light handling marks and minor compressions. There are no notable chips or cracks. Overall, the stock rates in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless / Plum-Brown / Black
Finish Originality: This is a custom-built competition rifle utilizing an RPA 2000 action, Shilen barrel, and laminated target stock and is not a factory-original rifle configuration.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains an attractive, well-preserved appearance with light handling and operational wear. The stainless barrel remains bright with minor surface marks. The action retains the great majority of its plum-brown finished surface with scattered light marks. The black rail and aluminum hardware show light use. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good to Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Two stage trigger. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet all your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with an accompanying specification/build sheet and two fired 100-yard targets marked “.308 155 Palma” and “Prone w/ Sling”. The build sheet identifies the rifle as a Palma / F-Class rifle and lists the RPA 2000 action, laminated stock, 20 MOA rail, fully adjustable buttplate, two-stage trigger, and 30″ 1:10″ twist Shilen barrel.
Our Assessment: This is a highly specialized long-range competition rifle built around the British RPA 2000 single-shot action. The heavy 30″ Shilen barrel, laminated prone-style target stock, adjustable buttplate, two-stage trigger, aperture-sight provisions, and 20 MOA optics rail make this a purpose-built precision rifle configured for Palma-style and F-Class shooting rather than conventional sporting use.
The accompanying paperwork attributes the build to Skip Epp, described therein as a member of the U.S. Palma Team and a machinist for Hewlett-Packard, and states that fewer than 300 rounds have been fired through the Shilen barrel. The accompanying 100-yard targets are marked for .308 Winchester with 155-grain Palma ammunition and prone sling shooting, and display notably tight shot clusters. With its excellent 10/10 bore, properly functioning action, quality competition components, and interesting documented competition background, this is an appealing rifle for the serious long-range shooter or collector of purpose-built match rifles. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! – L.S.