Twist is 1 in 11.
Sako Powerhead Blade
- Thread starter Donkey Basher
- Start date
skernaghan9844
Active Member
my 308 is 1:11 to. I was shooting 165grs gecos and they did really well with a similar MV to yours. 120grs should go a bit faster and expand better
If what I've been told from experience of a couple of people I trust is the case then I don't think it'll be necessary to go lighter than 162gn
skernaghan9844
Active Member
There’s only one way to find out and see how it works. The research I found was that a copper projectile is normally lighter than a lead projectile. I normally fire 165gr lead from my 308 but I’ll be trying 120gr as it’ll shoot faster and it’ll optimise full expansion
Polar Lynx
Well-Known Member
IMO Blade (308) is not suitable for roe <100 m and too much damage to boar (meat) as these most often are shot at close distances. Find Lapua Naturalis much more suitable.
Blade is ok/good for anything further than 100 m.
Blade is ok/good for anything further than 100 m.
That's good. Try Hornady ammo.Average muzzle velocity is circa 50fps less than published factory speed
Never mind the environment, barrel stuff. They just don't put in enough powder. TBF Sako are not bad in this respect. Hornady were 2900fps on the box 120gr 65CM and 2780 on the chrony from a 24" barrel. Poor.
Isn't that too slow? 2600 fps at the muzzle doesn't give you a lot of range where the velocity is high enough to give really good terminal performance. (As opposed to manufacturers claims). The Blade does seem to expand better than others specifically the TTSX. I can't say I have noticed much difference in practice, both are much poorer than lead.
skernaghan9844
Active Member
I put my data into a ballistics computer for my 6.5CM in 20 inch and I could get around 230m with 2000fps on impact with 2600fps on the chrono. I know it’s not a super long range but I wouldn’t want to be shooting much further anyway.
I’ll be running the data through QL this weekend so will see what down range velocity I get - need to be able to use them to 300 yards reliably. Have OBTs so will see what I can get loading my own.
Danny Fireblade
Well-Known Member
I use 130gn TTSX and push these at 3100fps MV. I took a fallow buck at 350m the other day, it went around 10m before going down, certainly can’t fault the TTSX at distance
skernaghan9844
Active Member
What calibre was that and what length is your barrel?
Are those hand loads or factory?
Did the bullet penetrate?
Are those hand loads or factory?
Did the bullet penetrate?
Danny Fireblade
Well-Known Member
.308, 20” barrel and through with a good exit showing the bullet deformed as it should.
Handloaded, not factory.
Handloaded, not factory.
skernaghan9844
Active Member
Danny Fireblade
Well-Known Member
Vhit N530 which is unfortunately discontinued now but fortunately I stocked up before it was
skernaghan9844
Active Member
What powder will you try next?Vhit N530 which is unfortunately discontinued now but fortunately I stocked up before it was
It there a similar powder with Vhit?
Danny Fireblade
Well-Known Member
I have enough powder for a few thousand rounds so don't need to look yet 
Field tested the factory ammo yesterday evening.
Fallow pricket unaware of shooter - bang, flop, kicked legs a few times & end ex.
Fallow buck aware of shooter - shot forward 2-3 yards & collapsed, end ex.
No concerns or worries about lack of expansion or performance, perfectly happy to use them at the sort of ranges I’ve been using standard lead core bullets.
Fallow pricket unaware of shooter - bang, flop, kicked legs a few times & end ex.
Fallow buck aware of shooter - shot forward 2-3 yards & collapsed, end ex.
No concerns or worries about lack of expansion or performance, perfectly happy to use them at the sort of ranges I’ve been using standard lead core bullets.
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I tested a few different ronds last week after lopping 4" off my barrel to 18". Hornady, Norman and my usual Super hammerhead all about 180ft/sec short of box figure, but 162grn Blades were only 50 or 60 short. I was quite impressed. Grouped maybe slightly bigger than my usual.
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That's pretty much bang on the average MV I got from shooting 10 rounds of factory 162gn over a chrono - 2626fps.
I have not shot the sako blades but i have a mate who shoots very high numbers of big reds with them with 243 in 80 grain i think , he rates them as very good . Mainly on the hill so not all close up
I just Run 100 grn tTSX now in a 6.5 mm , Brilliant ! I have a fair amount of lead bullets but i just want to use the tTSX . Had an issue with the 120 version the bullet did not expand as much ( the beast still died though ) . Another nice thing is i can run the 100 grain in the 260 rem ( 6.5mm) and it doesn't do too much damage /mess of the carcass. Dont take this as a promise though because i dont get to shoot a lot of them
I just Run 100 grn tTSX now in a 6.5 mm , Brilliant ! I have a fair amount of lead bullets but i just want to use the tTSX . Had an issue with the 120 version the bullet did not expand as much ( the beast still died though ) . Another nice thing is i can run the 100 grain in the 260 rem ( 6.5mm) and it doesn't do too much damage /mess of the carcass. Dont take this as a promise though because i dont get to shoot a lot of them
Taken a while but this is the three shot group with the 162gn Powerhead blades at 100 yards - measured using the ‘ontarget’ app at 0.467moa
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