I've been using my Zastava 30-06 going on two years now and have had very good accuracy and on-game results using 180g Interlock SPs and BTSPs. Also a few 180g NBTs which have been just a fraction more accurate but perform much the same on game.
I recently happened on a 500-pack of 168g Hornady Zmax bullets. These are said to be the Amax 168 just with the green tip. I can't confirm that but they look EXACTLY the same except for the tip colour. Anyway they were very cheap so I bought them and was keen to see how they stack up against the reputable Interlock. I wanted to test the NBT against these two but it wasn't to be this time.
This time I used thoroughly soaked newspaper, about two feet of it.
I loaded two each of the 168 Zmax and 180 Interlock flat based SP. One of each was loaded to approximate impact velocity at 50y and 200y when launched at typical 30-06 speeds between which most of my shots occur. These were chronoed to check speeds.
I didn't expect the Zmax/Amax to hold up too well, but as its got a pretty good reputation on game I believed it would do a little better than a varmint bullet.
So to the results:
168g Zmax
Impact speed 2800fps
Penetration 10 inches
Retained wt 46g 27%
Diameter 0.729
168g Zmax
Impact speed 2525fps
Penetration 11.5 inches
Retained wt 125g 74%
Diameter 0.80
180g Interlock
Impact Speed 2650fps
Penetration 13.75 inches
Retained wt 125g 69%
Diameter 0.681
180g Interlock
Impact speed 2350fps
Penetration 14.25 inches
Retained wt 152g 84%
Diameter 0.739
I guess we can draw our own conclusions. The Zmax shed heaps of weight when it was going 2800fps. It expanded wide and penetrated least. But it did not behave like a target bullet or varmint bullet. It just behaved much like a normal GP soft hunting bullet. I'd liken this to the way Speer BTSP bullets perform when pushed hard.
The Zmax at the slower speed simulating 200y impact held up pretty good! Its an indication the bullet might be about perfect for the 308, or a mild loaded 30-06 or long range hunting with 30 magnums.
Quite pleased with it and as its very accurate in my rifle and I have about 480 remaining I am well set.
The Interlock performed about how I thought it would. A good solid hunting bullet and I've had great success with them.
As I said I intended to compare the 180g NBT in this test. I would expect it to perform much the same as the Interlock given what I've observed on game. I find the NBT just a tad more accurate though.
Regards,
Bob
I recently happened on a 500-pack of 168g Hornady Zmax bullets. These are said to be the Amax 168 just with the green tip. I can't confirm that but they look EXACTLY the same except for the tip colour. Anyway they were very cheap so I bought them and was keen to see how they stack up against the reputable Interlock. I wanted to test the NBT against these two but it wasn't to be this time.
This time I used thoroughly soaked newspaper, about two feet of it.
I loaded two each of the 168 Zmax and 180 Interlock flat based SP. One of each was loaded to approximate impact velocity at 50y and 200y when launched at typical 30-06 speeds between which most of my shots occur. These were chronoed to check speeds.
I didn't expect the Zmax/Amax to hold up too well, but as its got a pretty good reputation on game I believed it would do a little better than a varmint bullet.
So to the results:
168g Zmax
Impact speed 2800fps
Penetration 10 inches
Retained wt 46g 27%
Diameter 0.729
168g Zmax
Impact speed 2525fps
Penetration 11.5 inches
Retained wt 125g 74%
Diameter 0.80
180g Interlock
Impact Speed 2650fps
Penetration 13.75 inches
Retained wt 125g 69%
Diameter 0.681
180g Interlock
Impact speed 2350fps
Penetration 14.25 inches
Retained wt 152g 84%
Diameter 0.739
I guess we can draw our own conclusions. The Zmax shed heaps of weight when it was going 2800fps. It expanded wide and penetrated least. But it did not behave like a target bullet or varmint bullet. It just behaved much like a normal GP soft hunting bullet. I'd liken this to the way Speer BTSP bullets perform when pushed hard.
The Zmax at the slower speed simulating 200y impact held up pretty good! Its an indication the bullet might be about perfect for the 308, or a mild loaded 30-06 or long range hunting with 30 magnums.
Quite pleased with it and as its very accurate in my rifle and I have about 480 remaining I am well set.
The Interlock performed about how I thought it would. A good solid hunting bullet and I've had great success with them.
As I said I intended to compare the 180g NBT in this test. I would expect it to perform much the same as the Interlock given what I've observed on game. I find the NBT just a tad more accurate though.
Regards,
Bob
