by Rod_outbak » 29 Jan 2019, 3:01 pm
Depends on what you term as 'success'...
The 168gn Zmax's are a re-badged Amax, so really designed for target work, though I'd hate to be standing in front of one.
The BC on them is fairly high (0.475), so they have respectable ballistics.
Looking at the design, they have a solid copper jacket along the length of the projectile, so likely will do less damage than a varmint or hunting projectile.
I have sighted my Rem 700 in with them, and I think I've nailed a few grasshoppers with them, but I dont think I've actually nailed anything suitable for the style/weight of projectile.
When I had finished sighting the rifle in, I was shooting the base of a small corkwood tree (~8 inches across??), to use up the last 10 rounds of that batch. Tree was maybe 150 metres distant.
As I fired off round number 6, I was wondering if the rounds were landing on target.
As I wondered that, the tree topples over, so I guess that answered the question...
They wouldnt be my first choice for nailing deer, as I dont think I could be certain of how they'd perform when they hit.
But then; I dont shoot any deer; my usual targets are small furry animals, grasshoppers, pigs, dogs, and the occasional feral bull.
And the few of these that have been on the receiving end of a 168 Zmax have died violently..
If I was wanting to nail feral bulls, I'd be happy to place one of these rounds into Mr Bully's cranium.
Most of my .308 loads are made up with either 125gn SST's or 150Gn Nosler Ballistic Tips, as I do sod-all time shooting targets.
However, I keep ~50 barnes 165gn T-TSX (Bullphukker specials), and another 50 168gn Z-Max's on the shelf; in case I get the need for something heavier...
I would point out, though, that the Hornady 150Gn SST can be bought for about 3 cents per projectile more, and might be a better performing hunting pill?
[Thats IF you are mostly hunting with them??]
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