50gr Zmax OFFICIAL Load Thread!!!

[Clopez]

Looking good!!


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[sagela]

Just to continue this most popular thread...
I get 3300'/s and 0.5MOA from two different Rem700s with Shilen 26" bbls, using just shy of max H335 over the 50Z-Max, and with a half grain more powder I get the same velocity/accuracy from two different
Mossberg MVPs with 24" bbls. I used 50Zs over TAC for 0.25MOA once (averaged 0.35-0.5) in a 24" Stag AR, but velocity was 2970'/s.
Disclaimer: I need perfect shooting conditions to get .5MOA and specifically must deal successfully with heat mirage off the barrels. I can't see through the fog like I used to. ;>)

Another note in favor of Z-Max's; back when I was using TAC in a 20" bbl'd Rem700 I got lucky and knocked 2 Prairie Dogs off the same mound @ a measured 420yds. Given the MV of that load in that rifle, my Zs were only traveling ~1900'/s upon impact but the PDs never heard the sound. They open fast!

I've shot one MT ranch so much I often find the jackets from my Zs lying on the ground. They are spread into a dead flat flower shape. When you try to skip one off a rock (not that I TRY, mind you) they upset and the lead basically disintegrates, but the jacket spins off into the air and whines like a TV ricochet.

When you bullseye the middle of 3 PDs lined up abreast, you occasionally get a triple kill. The concussion (?) from the hit takes out the other two dogs. I've checked this phenomenon several times - mussed fur, splattered in gore, but no visible damage on the other two, yet they're stone dead.

[CodySPowell]

Just to continue this most popular thread...
I get 3300'/s and 0.5MOA from two different Rem700s with Shilen 26" bbls, using just shy of max H335 over the 50Z-Max, and with a half grain more powder I get the same velocity/accuracy from two different
Mossberg MVPs with 24" bbls. I used 50Zs over TAC for 0.25MOA once (averaged 0.35-0.5) in a 24" Stag AR, but velocity was 2970'/s.
Disclaimer: I need perfect shooting conditions to get .5MOA and specifically must deal successfully with heat mirage off the barrels. I can't see through the fog like I used to. ;>)

Another note in favor of Z-Max's; back when I was using TAC in a 20" bbl'd Rem700 I got lucky and knocked 2 Prairie Dogs off the same mound @ a measured 420yds. Given the MV of that load in that rifle, my Zs were only traveling ~1900'/s upon impact but the PDs never heard the sound. They open fast!

I've shot one MT ranch so much I often find the jackets from my Zs lying on the ground. They are spread into a dead flat flower shape. When you try to skip one off a rock (not that I TRY, mind you) they upset and the lead basically disintegrates, but the jacket spins off into the air and whines like a TV ricochet.

When you bullseye the middle of 3 PDs lined up abreast, you occasionally get a triple kill. The concussion (?) from the hit takes out the other two dogs. I've checked this phenomenon several times - mussed fur, splattered in gore, but no visible damage on the other two, yet they're stone dead.

Expand

Wow! That's great info! I've had pretty darn good results even in a 16in barrel AR. I know the bullet and I are capable of better results so a barrel swap is in the future. But my goal is to find a bolt gun that will make those 50gr Zmax shine. I have an old Remington Score master .22 that was my Dad's that I cut my teeth on as a young buck. To this day its still the most accurate rifle I own. Made the ground squirrels run like mad when they saw that rifle coming! [emoji1]

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[Sgt Greybeard]

Just curious what combination of brass, primers and COL for those loads?

Just to continue this most popular thread...
I get 3300'/s and 0.5MOA from two different Rem700s with Shilen 26" bbls, using just shy of max H335 over the 50Z-Max, and with a half grain more powder I get the same velocity/accuracy from two different
Mossberg MVPs with 24" bbls. I used 50Zs over TAC for 0.25MOA once (averaged 0.35-0.5) in a 24" Stag AR, but velocity was 2970'/s.
Disclaimer: I need perfect shooting conditions to get .5MOA and specifically must deal successfully with heat mirage off the barrels. I can't see through the fog like I used to. ;>)

Another note in favor of Z-Max's; back when I was using TAC in a 20" bbl'd Rem700 I got lucky and knocked 2 Prairie Dogs off the same mound @ a measured 420yds. Given the MV of that load in that rifle, my Zs were only traveling ~1900'/s upon impact but the PDs never heard the sound. They open fast!

I've shot one MT ranch so much I often find the jackets from my Zs lying on the ground. They are spread into a dead flat flower shape. When you try to skip one off a rock (not that I TRY, mind you) they upset and the lead basically disintegrates, but the jacket spins off into the air and whines like a TV ricochet.

When you bullseye the middle of 3 PDs lined up abreast, you occasionally get a triple kill. The concussion (?) from the hit takes out the other two dogs. I've checked this phenomenon several times - mussed fur, splattered in gore, but no visible damage on the other two, yet they're stone dead.

Expand

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[sagela]

I know of 3 individual mossberg MVPs that hold way under 1moa with our Zs, my two Remmies (4 if you count the original bbls), 1 Stag and a Howa 1500 I let go despite loving it. All ya need is a decent bbl and Z-Maxs.

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[CodySPowell]

I know of 3 individual mossberg MVPs that hold way under 1moa with our Zs, my two Remmies (4 if you count the original bbls), 1 Stag and a Howa 1500 I let go despite loving it. All ya need is a decent bbl and Z-Maxs.

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Good to know! Thanks for the info.

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[Shane P]

Good to know! Thanks for the info.

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I've got a mvp I haven't shot the z's through yet but it is a straight shooter with just about everything I put through it.

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[denton]

that rifle u have is it one that takes ar mags ?

[sagela]

that rifle u have is it one that takes ar mags ?

Sorry, denton, I missed your post. The bolt guns I have which take AR mags are Rem700s in .223.
They started life as "Tacticals" but now have AR mag conversions, 26" Shilen barrels with brakes,
Bell and Carlson tactical stocks, Timney triggers and somewhat unique slings that allow me to carry
them like luggage... the sling rises OVER the rifle, doesn't droop under it, allowing it to 'dangle' from my straight
arm as I walk. They also have Weaver 4-20x50mm "Tactical" mildot scopes with 3" shades which make them
difficult to shoulder normally.
The Rem M788 in .22-250 has a DBM but only holds 3 rds.
The Savage 12 bench gun has a blind box. Load it 3 deep one at a time, and unload it by working the bolt.
However, it's so heavy I'm unlikely to ever carry it in the field and at the bench, even in prairie dog country,
I'll probably single feed it.

At the risk of sounding obsessive...I also have 2 Mossberg MVPs that accept AR mags and which have 24" barrels.
They were far less expensive and are just as accurate as the Remingtons.

I put over 14,000 handloaded 50 Zs through the first Remington's 20" hvy barrel and it would still pick off prairie dogs
at 300yds when I changed barrels. I had loaded it to about 2900'/s with TAC which is a few % below published max charge and
the factory barrel stood it nicely.

[JTram]

I have a MVP thin barrel version. If you don’t mind me asking what is the loading components for the accuracy that is being described. I have W 748 and IMR 4320 on hand for my 223s


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