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Range Report Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

I think its funny for the novelty factor. I have a buddy that's a fan of that stuff, might buy him a box of 223 for a gag Christmas gift.

Good on them for taking advantage of a decent marketing strategy.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Looks like a good marketing strategy based on this generations obsession with zombies...have at it but I do like TAP ammo too so who am I to judge.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Thats cool and I wouldn't mind having a box to display in my gun room. But...I wish they would get caught up on other stuff that is on back order. I have had some Hornady amnmo on back order since mid August and still waiting.

Hope the damn zombies don't get here too quick!! No telling when it will actually be avialable.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Ordered 223 and 12 ga as novelties. Going to give one of each to my brother too. Availability on Midsouth, where you can pre order, stated they would be avail Nov for 223 and Dec for 12 ga.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

I have to agree with Top. I thought it funny at first and then with all the issues that hornady has been having with certain cartridges. I think I will not be using them for much of anything anymore. I take my shooting a bit too seriously I guess.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

First off, I think the whole zombie movement is rather ghey, and typically I hate how zombies and AR-15s so often get associated with one another. If I was to believe in this whole "zombie culture", I might as well believe in the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus. I bought this ammo to review based solely on the fact that the Hornady 55gr. Vmax is easily one of my all time favorite types of ammo for precision/accuracy.

Let's get the neat marketing stuff outta the way first,

<span style="font-weight: bold"> FIRST PART: </span> <span style="font-weight: bold">Hornady's marketing/labeling.....</span>

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<span style="font-weight: bold"> SECOND PART: </span> <span style="font-weight: bold">Comparing the individual components....Hornady 55gr. Vmax VS. Hornady 55gr. Zmax</span>


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*** Please note that this isn't the exact same ammo as the 55gr. Vmax loading, to my wonderful surprise these Zmax rounds actually have cannelures. So apparently they added the cannelures since this was "Zombie" ammo. I still wouldn't ever rely on it for HD/PD, but its still nice to see.

So if I'm not mistaken, this addition to the Hornady 55gr. Zmax makes it essentially the exact same ammo as the Hornady 55gr. TAP, instead of the exact same ammo as the Hornady 55gr. Vmax.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<span style="font-weight: bold">PART THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold"> Accuracy Evaluation....
</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Hornady 55gr. Zmax</span>
STAY TUNED.........
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Nice write-up trident1982...love the pics. I use a lot of Hornady products and like the 60Gr TAP ammo so I figured this had to be close but as you indicate, it shows the cannelures for the bullet. Did you happen to weigh the powder or find any other similarities between the VMAX and Zombie loads?
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

I think theres' a sense of humor here, and honestly, having one does nothing to detract from my high opinion of Hornady's products. Marketing hyps aside, the stuff I've bought works, period.

Zombies? Hell, I dunno; but like they say, ya gotta be in it to win it...
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

I think the term 'Zombie' is derrogatory, and that using it so freely could lead to otherwise unproductive members of post-society being stigmatized. I therefore propose that we call them 'Undead-Americans.'
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As the whole Z-Max ammo thing, I have mixed feelings about it being such an unqualified 'good idea'.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Just put a scope on my 300blk with a Zombie reticle. It's a round circle about as big as a head. Just center the
zombie's head and squeeze the trigger. So far it works well with my zombie dummies. Gonna have to try some of this ammo. See how it expands on rotting flesh.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think the term 'Zombie' is derrogatory, and that using it so freely could lead to otherwise unproductive members of post-society being stigmatized. I therefore propose that we call them 'Undead-Americans.'
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</div></div>

That is funny man!
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

picked up two boxes the other night at academy ,, i like the 168gr hornady puts out .308 that is ,, any how this was the only 168gr they had on the shelf , so the box means nothing to me ill get them out to the range this weekend and see how they perform

my sps is 20" 1-12 , i think its 1-12 so im sure it will shoot way diff than my 700p 24" 1-10

any how neat box yes diff yes shoot the same i pray they do !
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

I think Zombie fodder can be improved.

The post-revolutionary naval ordinance piece referred to as chain shot made major strides in the task of dismasting opposing vessels.

I propose a 'Zombie-Optimized Bolo Round', where three or more simple buckshot pellets on a combined tether would form the 'Zombie Decapitation Option'; and yes, I firmly believe the cervical/spinal shot should be the optimal POI.

Otherwise, for general premptive sparring in the mid-range arena, I have carefully configured my Zombie Attrition Implement. It consists of a Norinco SKS, restocked with the Choate Dragunov Stock featuring the accuracy wedge bedding improvement device, a B-Square gas tube Scout Mount, and a Tasco Pro-Point Dot non-magnification optical aiming device. An ample stock of Tulammo 7.62x39 FMJ rounds, suitibly encapsulated in ten-round strippers, completes the Zombie Attrition Ensemble.

For greater precision, specifically aimed at defeating the more determined and aware boarders at maximum distance; the Savage Scout Rifle, refitted with a conventional optical mounting scheme and a Tasco VAR624X42M MilDot Varmint/Target Scope, and handloaded 110gr V-Max ordinance should enable more explosive disruption of the selected undead. Alternatively, Hornady 125gr TAP training ammo can be issued.

This highly specialized combined Close-In/Mid-Range defensive weapons system (unofficially termed 'the GeeFrackinWhiz') is usually issued to the Designated Zombie Dispatcher Team (or DeeZedDeeTed, or -Fred, should Ted be otherwise engaged...)(say that <span style="font-style: italic">all</span> really fast three times if you can...), which is especially trained for such duties.

We have such matters already well in hand in these here parts.

Greg
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Just a marketing stunt to make some cash and it really works. Hell watch the amc series Walking Dead. They dont have any Zmax bullets and do most of there killing with a crossbow.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nfoley</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pretty sure the 308 168 grain zmax is boat tail. Same BC as 168 amax. </div></div>

I ment the zmax ,, dont think itsa boat tail

they do group well, shot 40 rds and they did great ,, dont know about double the price they where 29.95 at academy

any how
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trident1982</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="font-weight: bold">PART THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold"> Accuracy Evaluation....
</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Hornady 55gr. Zmax</span>
STAY TUNED......... </div></div>

How did it go?
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

this is the 168g zmax at 100yrds

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3 and 5 group shots , scope adjusted for point of impact

sorry a couple strays ,, i moved the scope the wrong way lol o well
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: redirt78</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trident1982</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <span style="font-weight: bold">PART THREE:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold"> Accuracy Evaluation....
</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Hornady 55gr. Zmax</span>
STAY TUNED......... </div></div>

How did it go? </div></div>

My apologies brother...I recently got a MWS and haven't yet taken the .223 zmax out yet to shoot it. I will be taking it out asap.

It looks like the .308 stuff shoots really well according to the poster above...great shooting:)
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

No worries, I figured you'd probably stretch it out to something like 600 yards and have some gun porn to go with it. That was the main reason I posted.

That are some nice groups h2447
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Its brilliant marketing. I bought a nice amount to give as christmas presents this year and errr... keep some for myself. The boxes should be pretty cool 100 years from now. Future society will think that "early" humans had a real zombie problem.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
128830163575157666.jpg
</div></div> the caption needs to be - I can jump higher than you can
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Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

JSTARSZ...sorry brother I didn't weigh the powders as I don't have a scale, I'm not a reloader unfortunately.

I just bought some more Zmax to test out...it's some pretty looking stuff for sure.
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Hornady .308 168gr. Zmax </span>

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Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Sorry it took me a minute to finally get the accuracy evals done, no surprises here, very comparable to the normal Hornady .223 vmax/.308 amax loads. I can say that the .223 Zmax is slightly less accurate than the normal 55gr. vmax as you will see below....no more than .25" +/- @ 100yds. The cannelure on the ZMax variety more than likely is the culprit for this difference considering all else is the same between the two.

<span style="font-weight: bold">The .223 and .308 test vehicles are shown below....</span>

MWS...Rock 16" CL 1/10 .308....NXSc 2.5-10x24....KAC 2stage match

MRP SPR...Rock 18" 5R SS 1/7 5.56...NXSc 2.5-10x32...GA SD-E
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<span style="font-weight: bold">.223 ZMax results </span>in comparison with an accuracy eval. of the 55gr. Vmax. Same exact test vehicle was used for both.

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<span style="font-weight: bold">.223 Vmax results</span>
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<span style="font-weight: bold">.308 ZMax results...</span> Note the two groups to left equal a total of 10rds...I just was joking around w/ a Molon 3rd. special.

target78.jpg
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Damn that is an awesome combo you got there sir!

I only buy HK handguns, and that suppressor besides being awesome performance wise just flows perfectly with the HK slide and overall form.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

I'm a little behind as I just caught wind of this and my first thought was how stupid this is. I don't mind a joke but Hornady did everyone a disservice with this stunt.

It makes the shooting community look like childish paranoid idiots holed up in their parents basements waiting for a zombie apocalypse. They must have done their marketing research with sample groups from Arfcom and airsoft forums. God only knows how much money they dumped into this joke, money that could have gone to their customers in the form of a genuinely new bullet or in the form of better rebates for their "get loaded" promotion, hell, anything that would be of real value to the end user of their products.

It also irritates me that, at times, it's near impossible to get certain components, like 178 A-max bullets, but they have time and resources to waste on developing the marketing campaign, changing to a green tip, and reworking their product packaging, all for a gimmick.

Hornady makes a great product, but this is a black eye for them and I hope it fades away very soon.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

Talked to a Hornady Rep the other day about the bad Superformance that i had sent back in and after agreeing to have them replace the bad boxes i sent in we talked about the 308 168gr ZMAX. I was told that the ZMAX is exactly the same as the 168 AMAX Match with the exception of the different color tip. FWIW.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 5x5GUY</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm a little behind as I just caught wind of this and my first thought was how stupid this is. I don't mind a joke but Hornady did everyone a disservice with this stunt.

It makes the shooting community look like childish paranoid idiots holed up in their parents basements waiting for a zombie apocalypse. They must have done their marketing research with sample groups from Arfcom and airsoft forums. God only knows how much money they dumped into this joke, money that could have gone to their customers in the form of a genuinely new bullet or in the form of better rebates for their "get loaded" promotion, hell, anything that would be of real value to the end user of their products.

It also irritates me that, at times, it's near impossible to get certain components, like 178 A-max bullets, but they have time and resources to waste on developing the marketing campaign, changing to a green tip, and reworking their product packaging, all for a gimmick.

Hornady makes a great product, but this is a black eye for them and I hope it fades away very soon. </div></div>

That's an awful lot of outrage over a product that has evidently proven to be a stroke of marketing genius.

Hornady's principal objective as a business is to make profits for their ownership; if this gimmick (because that's exactly what this is) generates greater revenues and bigger profits for them, then GREAT. Those increased revenues/profits will help provide "real value to the end user of their products" in the form of increased manufacturing capacity, new bullet designs, etc.

I won't be buying any Z-Max ammo or components, but I'm certainly not going to be butthurt about Hornady riding the zombie wave in popular culture to fatten their bottom line.

Capitalism, how does it work?
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dieselgeek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got some from a secret sniper thing we did online.
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Love the knock at HK's photo douches.
 
Re: Hornady Z- Max (Zombie) Ammunition

What is it with HK owners that makes them want to load ammunition in their magazines backwards?
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<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dieselgeek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got some from a secret sniper thing we did online.
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