SAKO S20 - 300 Win Mag. Info on "cartridge+" meaning

[martinakl]

Are you getting the 3 port, or the new 4 port "match?" The match is considerably bigger in all dimensions but is one heck of a comp!

The 4 port. I emailed them and they said the only difference is that it's longer. I emailed because I saw a post where I thought someone compared them (regular hellfire vs Hellfire Match) side-by-side and the "Match" was bigger (Diameter and length). Probably comparable in size to their sidewinder. If it's that big, a plan B will be in order. It would look ridiculous on this barrel profile.

 

[badthirtyone]

The match is a big dude, I personally thought it'd look almost comical on some of my hunting barrels. That's why I ended up going with the 3 ports on the hunting profile barrels. I'll take some shots of them both here in a bit, but the match is definitely larger in length and diameter.

 

[badthirtyone]

I'll measure them if you'd like. There is definitely a difference.

The "match" version is insanely effective, though, so don't be put off from using it. It's just a pig of a brake!

 

[martinakl]

View attachment 294615
View attachment 294616
I'll measure them if you'd like. There is definitely a difference.

The "match" version is insanely effective, though, so don't be put off from using it. It's just a pig of a brake!

Oh wow. I'd say that is for sure larger. I guess I'll just roll with it. If I can spot my shots, that's really what matters.

 

[badthirtyone]

The 4 port match comp is a "ground-up" redesign. That is to say that they took all of their lessons learned from the sidewinder and original Hellfire 3 port and dramatically expounded on them. It is a new and different animal all together.

The original 3 port is great, the newly designed 4 port is phenomenal. Differential ports, angles, exit heights. It works wonders to allow for tracking a shot.

 

[martinakl]

Area 419 "Match" Brake installed.
Their stuff is just a work of art. Fit, finish, and packaging is just top notch.

I do prefer the looks of a blended brake. That said, It's not so bad. Or, maybe I expected it to look worse? Looks better than the TBAC brake.

 

[Nomosendero]

I am looking forward to the range report!

 

[martinakl]

Area 419 Hellfire Match quick review:
Amazing brake. Reduced recoil, reduced muzzle jump. The rifle really did calm way down with this brake vs. the TBAC brake.

205 Berger Elite Hunter
~3.59" COAL (just barely fits in magazine)
H1000
Perterson 300 Win Mag Long Brass (virgin)
Federal 215 Primer
Notes:
73gr-78.4 were from first range trip
78.7gr-79.9 were loaded at a different time. Shot today, after a good barrel scrub after the 1st range trip. 4x low charge fouler's through barrel before I started tracking.
*Big jump in FPS for only .3 grain increase (78.4 to 78.7) Trip one to trip two cutoff. Thinking the first batch had more dry neck lube?

Charge H1000	205 Berger FPS	Change
73	2,726	-
73.3	2,732	6
73.6	2,739	7
73.9	2,758	19
74.2	2,791	33
74.5	2,769	(22)
74.8	2,771	2
75.1	2,768	(3)
75.4	2,812	44
75.7	2,828	16
76	2,836	8
76.3
76.6	2,851	15
76.9	2,865	14
77.2	2,876	11
77.5	2,887	11
77.8	2,897	10
78.1	2,895	(2)
78.4	2,911	16
78.7	2,991	80
79	2,985	(6)
79.3	3,022	37
79.6	3,030	8
79.9	3,031	1

 

[martinakl]

215 Berger Hybrid
~3.59" COAL (just barely fits in magazine)
H1000
Perterson 300 Win Mag Long Brass (virgin)
Federal 215 Primer
*These were all loaded at same time and shot today.

Charge H1000	215 Berger FPS	Change
73.9	2,823	-
74.2	2,836	13
74.5	2,813	(23)
74.8	2,835	22
75.1	2,819	(16)
75.4	2,852	33
75.7	2,867	15
76	2,867	-
76.3	2,863	(4)
76.6	2,866	3
76.9	2,889	23
77.2	2,902	13
77.5	2,904	2
77.8	2,908	4
78.1	2,919	11
78.4	2,922	3
78.7	2,934	12
79	2,941	7

This looks like a good place to focus.
*The barrel is only 24"

Charge H1000	215 Berger FPS	Change
75.7​	2,867	-
76​	2,867	-
76.3​	2,863	(4)
76.6​	2,866	3
Max	2,867
Min	2,863
Average	2,866

Or here:

Charge H1000	215 Berger FPS	Change
77.2​	2,902	-
77.5​	2,904	2
77.8​	2,908	4
Max	2,908
Min	2,902
Average	2,905

 

[badthirtyone]

Great and detailed report. Interesting findings.

One other quick question/note, I think that you said in an earlier post that you had verified that this actually has a 10 twist, rather than the 11 that was advertised, right?

 

[martinakl]

Great and detailed report. Interesting findings.

One other quick question/note, I think that you said in an earlier post that you had verified that this actually has a 10 twist, rather than the 11 that was advertised, right?

I used a cleaning rod to measure the twist rate. It came in at 1:10 multiple times. If you go to build a S20 on SAKO's site, it says it's 1:10. The new, 2021 Tikka 300 Win models are now 1:10.

Inside the barrel is labeled "300 WM 10." the barrel marking is what made me research further and try the cleaning rod trick. Not 100% sure the "10" is the twist rate marking but it seems plausible?

I'll have to find a load and go long to confirm no drop in BC from advertised. Or, keyhole's in targets at extended ranges.

I'm also going to try some 230gr Hybrid OTM's through it next outing. I'll also be testing Retumbo, N568 & N570, Ramshot LRT.

 

[Nomosendero]

What about group sizes, sorry if I missed it!

 

[martinakl]

What about group sizes, sorry if I missed it!

I haven't shot for groups per se. I have not done any seating depth testing. I am just loading to magazine length and looking for max charges.

Full disclosure. I'm not the best shooter out there and haven't been shooting much in recent history. These images represent the two range trips I've taken this year. I am NOT a 1/2 MOA shooter right now. Maybe MOA if I'm shooting for groups.

Here's loads 1-10 for the 205's (shot 5/29/2021). Pretty impressive group (shots 1 - 9) for 2.4 grains is change in charge weights. The wind was very still for this part. Shot 10 opened it up but that's also when the wind started blowing me and the target around.

These are less impressive (loads 11 -19, shot 5/19/2021). By this point, the wind was at least 20mph sustained and gusting above 30mph. I had dirt blowing into my eyes and I was eating dirt by this point and not on my "A game."

This is the 5 I shot today of the 205's, looking for pressure signs. I'm planning or retesting the 205's from 76.9 - 79.9. I think I may have needed to foul the barrel just a little more. Shots 1-3 are right at MOA and 4 & 5 aren't bad. I kind of wonder if #3 was a flyer.

This is loads 8 - 18 of the 215's (#1, 2 & 7 are a different point of aim). After further review, I think 11, 12, & 13 are where I'll focus more effort.

 

[martinakl]

This is the method I'm following right now (long video)