Z-Max bullets

[Damon555]

Got home from work and there were a couple of packages waiting for me. One contained a TC Encore Pro Hunter 28" 204 Ruger barrel, a scope base for said barrel and 400 pieces of 204 brass. The other contained the much anticipated Z-Max bullets. They appear to be exactly the same as their V-Max counterparts. I ordered 1000 223 40 grainers and 1000 204 32 grainers. I sure hope the 32 grain 204 bullets shoot in my rifles. I took a chance on them but considering the fact that I've never had a V-max bullet that was an accuracy dog in any rifle (except for the .20 cal 40 grainers that wouldn't stabilize in my 12 twist Remington) I'd say the odds are in my favor. Now I just need to get a couple powders suitable for the 204.....

For your viewing pleasure....here are the Z-Max bullets next to their respective V-Max bullets (20 cal on the left)

And the interesting looking packaging.

 

[kingmt]

Is there a difference other then the color of the tip? I don't get the point.

Congardulations on the 204 & your long waited bullets.

 

[Damon555]

Is there a difference other then the color of the tip? I don't get the point.

Congardulations on the 204 & your long waited bullets.

The hornady CSR said they were the same except for the tip color.

The only reason I bought them is the fact that they were on sale.

500 20 cal bullets for $54 and just $58 for the 224's.

They were quite a bit cheaper than the regular V-maxes.....

 

[kingmt]

Now I see the point. I like cheap. Are they still on sale & where did you get them.

 

[CMV]

All I've seen is "backorder" or "not available" for 55 gr .224. Grafs had some 40 gr yesterday showing available.

 

[Damon555]

They seem to be on backorder again....they were when I first ordered them. I waited 2 weeks which was no big deal. I wasn't in a hurry.

 

[snuffy]

Take a look at uncle nicks post over on TFL;

Unclenick
Staff

Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,341

The V-max uses a match grade jacket formed by a conventional cup and core process. The Z-max jacket is formed by a plating process, so it's less expensive. I don't know from personal experience how well that's working for them, but Hornady values its reputation for offering the best accuracy for the dollar, so it is probably pretty good. Like the V-max, it will be an explosively expanding bullet for small varmints and not intended to penetrate larger game than that very well.

For powder data, because this powder is relatively new, the distributor, Hodgdon, is still the only source I know of. For a Speer 55 grain soft point seated to 2.130" COL in a Winchester case with a WSR primer, they list 23.9 grains to start and 25.9 grains maximum. Use that starting load with your bullet choice and work up while watching for pressure signs.

 

[ssyoumans]

I like the economy of the 500 round boxes. Only some VMaxs were available in 250 round boxes for around $37.

 

[sean eady]

Unless I am reading it wrong does his box not say "match grade jacket design" ? I think its a little disturbing if they are in fact a plated bullet and it does not specifically tell you so in its specs. Would that not change how this round would be loaded ?

 

[snuffy]

From the Hornady website;

Be prepared for Zombiegeddon...
when VARMINTS ATTACK!

Just in Case… Get Loaded with Z-MAX™ Bullets and PREPARE to "Mist"ify Zombie Varmints!

Explosive Hornady® performance comes in every Z-Max™ bullet specifically designed to vaporize zombie varmints.
Ultra-flat trajectories send mangy menaces to the varmint graveyard.
Combined with AMP™ jacket technology, the Z-Max™ bullet is built to...MAKE DEAD PERMANENT!

Apparently "AMP jacket technology" is a plating process. So what? The federal fusion rifle bullet,(made by speer for federal), the gold dot speer and now the deep curl bullets are allPLATED, bullets.

Forget what you HEARD about common plated handgun bullets loosing their jackets above a certain velocity. I think it's an entirely different process of plating. It actually resembles a bonding process.

In fact Speer calls their deep curl rifle bullets are "bonded". Tests I've done prove that without a shadow of a doubt.

 

[Damon555]

From the Hornady website;



Apparently "AMP jacket technology" is a plating process. So what? The federal fusion rifle bullet,(made by speer for federal), the gold dot speer and now the deep curl bullets are allPLATED, bullets.

Forget what you HEARD about common plated handgun bullets loosing their jackets above a certain velocity. I think it's an entirely different process of plating. It actually resembles a bonding process.

In fact Speer calls their deep curl rifle bullets are "bonded". Tests I've done prove that without a shadow of a doubt.

It does state that on the box......Just like the V-Max bullets.



Obviously there is no velocity restriction considering how fast these things are moving.