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

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.
71EAD5A4-5827-47A0-A28D-2427BC483D73.png
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 H1000205 Berger FPSChange
732,726-
73.32,7326
73.62,7397
73.92,75819
74.22,79133
74.52,769(22)
74.82,7712
75.12,768(3)
75.42,81244
75.72,82816
762,8368
76.3
76.62,85115
76.92,86514
77.22,87611
77.52,88711
77.82,89710
78.12,895(2)
78.42,91116
78.72,99180
792,985(6)
79.33,02237
79.63,0308
79.93,0311

1631983555343.png
 
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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 H1000215 Berger FPSChange
73.92,823-
74.22,83613
74.52,813(23)
74.82,83522
75.12,819(16)
75.42,85233
75.72,86715
762,867-
76.32,863(4)
76.62,8663
76.92,88923
77.22,90213
77.52,9042
77.82,9084
78.12,91911
78.42,9223
78.72,93412
792,9417

1631984309572.png


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

Charge H1000215 Berger FPSChange
75.7​
2,867-
76​
2,867-
76.3​
2,863(4)
76.6​
2,8663
Max2,867
Min2,863
Average2,866

Or here:
Charge H1000215 Berger FPSChange
77.2​
2,902-
77.5​
2,9042
77.8​
2,9084
Max2,908
Min2,902
Average2,905
 
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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.
2205FE60-0D38-4B2E-96E4-3E95126D4F61.png
 
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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.
5F466245-784E-4895-9E5B-78D0519B6DA6.jpeg


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."
08FCEA72-79A8-45BF-BB00-EBD8EE858153.jpeg


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.

34C8FF4C-A940-4D4D-8783-FDFA84A09A19.jpeg


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.

A3B2E508-168F-4EF6-AAF8-5916D9D1A51B.jpeg
 
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