Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by JimTom » 03 Jul 2018, 2:28 pm

G'day All

Anyone reloading their .223 using the 55gn ZMax?
Thinking about giving them a try.
User avatar
JimTom
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2130
Queensland

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by Stix » 03 Jul 2018, 4:19 pm

Do it...!!
Or the 50's... :thumbsup:
The man who knows everything, doesnt really know everything...he's just stopped learning...
Stix
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3675
South Australia

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by sungazer » 03 Jul 2018, 4:23 pm

Wasn't it the V maxs that have stopped production due to their tips melting over several hundred yards?
sungazer
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1525
Other

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by JimTom » 03 Jul 2018, 5:13 pm

I have heard about the melting issue mate but don't know any details of what velocity etc.
ZMax pretty cheap at the moment so reckon I'll give them a shot.
User avatar
JimTom
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2130
Queensland

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by sungazer » 03 Jul 2018, 5:43 pm

I think they may be cheap because of the melting tip issue. It looks like all the Vmaxs and Amaxs with the Derilin tip are affected depending on velocity. Given the 223 is a pretty high velocity if you want anything over 400 yrds it may be a problem. more google to be done.

I was looking at them too $129 or something for 1000
sungazer
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1525
Other

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by Roo farmer » 03 Jul 2018, 7:38 pm

sungazer wrote:I was looking at them too $129 or something for 1000


Where?
Roo farmer
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 107
South Australia

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Jul 2018, 7:44 pm

They hit things I am aiming at, I cannot tell if the tips are melting but accuracy is good so I am guessing not. They're about $90 for 500, I think that is pretty good for the quality of pill you get.
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3206
New South Wales

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by JimTom » 03 Jul 2018, 8:04 pm

Mate for $90/500 I don't think you can go wrong. That's bloody cheap by anyone's standards I think.
SCJ429 are you loading AR2208 with them? My rifle shoots 55gn nicely with either 2208 or 8208.
User avatar
JimTom
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2130
Queensland

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by Cooper » 03 Jul 2018, 8:18 pm

I was using them. But mainly use the 50gr now. Nothing wrong with the 55s. I bought some more the other day. At $90 per 500 you can't go wrong.
Cooper
Sergeant
Sergeant
 
Posts: 539
Victoria

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by JimTom » 03 Jul 2018, 8:19 pm

Thanks for the input fellas. Much appreciated.
User avatar
JimTom
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2130
Queensland

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by SCJ429 » 03 Jul 2018, 10:29 pm

I am using 8208 for a 223 and 2208 for a 22/250. The 1:14 twist in the 22/250 really suits the light pills and it shoots in the 0.2s. It has hit rabbits out to 400 metres and still does a heap of damage. I rate the ZMax up with the Sierra Blitz Kings which are fantastic as well but dearer.
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3206
New South Wales

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by JimTom » 04 Jul 2018, 5:35 am

Thanks mate. Will definitely give them a go.
User avatar
JimTom
Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
 
Posts: 2130
Queensland

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by marksman » 04 Jul 2018, 7:10 pm

I'm using them in my 22 dasher with great success on roo, foxes and rabbits
dont give a ****** if the tip melts they are working for me :drinks:
“If you do not read the newspapers you are uninformed. If you do read the newspapers you are misinformed”. Mark Twain
User avatar
marksman
Colonel
Colonel
 
Posts: 3660
Victoria

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by Barrettmr » 04 Jul 2018, 7:52 pm

I loaded up 5 50gr vmax with 25gr of 2206h just to see what would happen and they grouped 20mm on a gusty day. I will use them when my others have been used.
Cz 452 22 Redfield 2-7 x 32
Howa 1500 blue varmint 223 thumbhole vx1 3-9x40
Howa 1500 blue sporter 22/250 vx1 3-9x40
Howa 1500 blue ultralite 308 vx1 3-9x40
Howa Mini Action 7.62 x 39 Hawke 2-7
Barrettmr
Private
Private
 
Posts: 50
Queensland

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by SCJ429 » 04 Jul 2018, 8:47 pm

If anyone is having problems with their ZMax, please send me the 'defective' products and I will dispose of them for you free of charge.
SCJ429
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
 
Posts: 3206
New South Wales

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 09 Jul 2018, 12:46 pm

In addition to the above, if anyone has the "defective" but unfired 30cal 168g zmax please send them to me, happy to pay postage costs :lol:
Sergeant Hartman
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
 
Posts: 1722
Victoria

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by MJW380 » 12 Jul 2018, 8:19 pm

Are V and Z max the same bullets just different colour tips? Had a 1-12 twist tikka t3 lite, ladder test was ridiculous, everything from 23-26gr of 2206h was half inch or better at 100, that’s with the 55gn pill
MJW380
Private
Private
 
Posts: 94
New South Wales

Re: Anyone still using 55gn ZMax for their .223

Post by Bills Shed » 12 Jul 2018, 9:51 pm

MJW380 wrote:Are V and Z max the same bullets just different colour tips? Had a 1-12 twist tikka t3 lite, ladder test was ridiculous, everything from 23-26gr of 2206h was half inch or better at 100, that’s with the 55gn pill


Not just you. That is just about the same recipe that just seems to work. Me, Rem 700, 24.5gn of 2206 and anything 52-55g. It just works.

Bill
Swaging your own projectiles is the ultimate in flexibility.
Bills Shed
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 433
Tasmania


Back to top
 
Return to Reloading ammunition