.308 168gn Z Max

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.308 168gn Z Max

Post by JimTom » 29 Jan 2019, 1:11 pm

Anyone using these with any success?
Have noticed they have been on special for a while now.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post 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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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 29 Jan 2019, 3:20 pm

Very good review mr rod. I hear they do good for target work.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by JimTom » 29 Jan 2019, 3:44 pm

Yeah thanks mate. Appreciate you taking the time to go into that amount of detail. I would be using them for pigs mate, getting towards the end of my 178ELDX stock and looking for something to use next.
The Z Max for $195/500 is what got my attention.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by SCJ429 » 29 Jan 2019, 4:56 pm

I found this bullet accurate and very frangable. I have had good results on pigs, goats and deer up to 100 kilos.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by marksman » 29 Jan 2019, 5:09 pm

I've shattered a couple of sambar, reds and fallow with them, they work :thumbsup:
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by Rod_outbak » 29 Jan 2019, 5:14 pm

If you could buy them in boxes smaller than 500, I'd suggest buying a hundred Zmax's and seeing if they work as you hope.
If you want to trial the Zmax, I can send you 50 or 100.
I think I still have 850 or so of them on the shelf; not liekly to be using them in quantity any time soon...
PM me if you want; easy to throw a bag of them in the post.


I'd suggest doing something similar with the 150Gn SST's; buy a trial box. Given they are priced at the same for 100 as 1000 (~42 cents per projectile), you could trial them without breaking the bank.

At 39 cents a projectile, the Zmax pills are appealing, but not sure if they are going to slow up much when transiting Mr Porkey..
Pretty darned certain they will land where you pointed them, though.

Reason I'm suggesting the SST's, is I've been using the 125SST's a lot the past 6 months. A few pigs at over 150 metres, as well as a lot of grasshoppers at varying distances. The 125's are sudden death, and seem to be pretty reliable/predictable out to ~400 metres. Likely further, but that's about the max end of my skill set in the dark arts.. I have loaded up a batch of 150SST's for the Rem 700, but am yet to get time to trial them.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by JimTom » 29 Jan 2019, 5:31 pm

Mate thanks for the offer but I just happened to get a few 168 Z Max to try today. Will give them a run at the next opportunity.
Sounds promising, hope the shoot ok.
Mate will also grab some 150 SST next time I am at LGS to try as well mate on your recommendation.
Thanks everyone for your input. Sincerely appreciated.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by SCJ429 » 29 Jan 2019, 5:48 pm

The ZMax cost 40c and the cheapest I can get SST is 70c. The SST work well when they hit but I have found them finicky to get them to shoot. If anything I think the ZMax more frangible than the inaccurate SST but if you are up for a challenge give the SST a try.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by Rod_outbak » 29 Jan 2019, 6:39 pm

Zmax for 39 cents, and the 150 SST for 41.5 cents each.
The 165 SST's are up around 70 cents each.

I have found the 125SST's to be pretty darned accurate; hence my suggestion.

If others have found the Zmax to do a decent job on impact, then happy days.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by SCJ429 » 29 Jan 2019, 9:07 pm

I did not know they were on special but when they are at the normal price I would use an Amax or ELDX in preferences. a Zmax would still be my choice even if the SST stay at this low price, better BC, just as explosive and accurate. I have never used a 125 SST but the 150 and 165 drove me nuts trying to get a load.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 29 Jan 2019, 9:08 pm

Just got back from a successful farm trip i can say with all confidence that the 168gr zmax is a great hunting round average if your chasing mwwat retention but for ferals they are great.

Ps i purchased roughly 3000 of these a few months ago great bit of kit.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by SCJ429 » 29 Jan 2019, 9:14 pm

What were you shooting with them.?
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by JimTom » 29 Jan 2019, 9:32 pm

SCJ429 wrote:I did not know they were on special but when they are at the normal price I would use an Amax or ELDX in preferences. a Zmax would still be my choice even if the SST stay at this low price, better BC, just as explosive and accurate. I have never used a 125 SST but the 150 and 165 drove me nuts trying to get a load.



Mate I got a box of 165gn SST amd also struggled to get a decent load. Average at the absolute best. Ended up with the 178 ELD X and they go really well.
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 29 Jan 2019, 9:39 pm

SCJ429 wrote:What were you shooting with them.?


Roos "with tags"
Foxes
Pigs although not this time
Anything really
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by in2anity » 30 Jan 2019, 7:39 am

AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:What were you shooting with them.?

Roos "with tags"

If you're mainly dropping roos, the 308w is way too much gun. The novelty wears off pretty quickly - been there done that, I went back to something smaller. 400ft/lbs is plenty for roos. Just sayin. :drinks:
At what point does lack of maintenance become patina?
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Re: .308 168gn Z Max

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 31 Jan 2019, 7:15 pm

in2anity wrote:
AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:What were you shooting with them.?

Roos "with tags"

If you're mainly dropping roos, the 308w is way too much gun. The novelty wears off pretty quickly - been there done that, I went back to something smaller. 400ft/lbs is plenty for roos. Just sayin. :drinks:


Love the 308 i ise it for the first day or so till the novelty wears off once they get shy i have a 223 set up for those longer shots. And a 17hmr for the same thing.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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