Federal Brass

[Ruger007]

I recently got a 270 WSM. I decided to buy some loaded ammunition so I can sight it in and get some brass for my reloads. Took me a while to get 100 brass. A mixture in multiples of 20 of Federal, Federal nickel plated, and Winchester nickel.

So I sized, trimmed and tumbled.

Tonight I go to make some reloads.

I am 0/40 on getting a primer to seat in the Federal brass. Primers just fall out.

The nickel plated and Winchester are just fine.

I have used Federal pistol brass that seems to go forever. But this rifle brass is just plain garbage!

Never seen it this bad.

 

[Munkey1973]

I've reloaded Federal for 223 Rem in the past with reasonable success. I bought the bulk ammo and shot it. To reload it I had to first swage with an RCBS swagging die.

It lasted 7 reloads before I had to throw them in the smelting pot (they were bit in the hot zone for powder charge).

In my case, the pockets were fine and still holding a primer, however, they were warped on the base (head stamp).

 

[DANS40X]

OP,
Thank ATK for your JUNK Federal brass,& it's not just WSM brass that is JUNK.

hint-
ATK also ran Blount Industries,Speer & RCBS into the ground......also.

 

[B]

It's softer than most, hardly junk though unless you can't help but run your loads at absolute max.

 

[Ruger007]

I would call the stuff I got junk. Didn't even get to reload. Junk after the first firing!

 

[a j cave]

Contact Fed and see what they do.

 

[rokoro]

I have had a number of Win headstamped WSM brass that had loose primer pockets after the first firing. It seems WSM ammo was loaded to very high pressures to try to achieve claimed velocities. Best option is to buy new empty brass and work up SAFE loads.

 

[remington jim]

FEDERAL Factory 338 RUM loads ! Could NOT use the brass as the primers can be PUSHED in with my finger after the factory Firing ! RJ

 

[just having some fun]

some of the WSM or Magnum category are just hard on brass

 

[mmcintyre1220]

Federal brass gives me the best results in 223, 308, 30-06, 30-30 and 6.5 creed. Its far from junk IMO

 

[maynard]

As a competitive shooter I usually buy my brass a few hundred at a time. If someone was to offer me free Federal brass I would pass on the offer.

 

[big bear]

Size once/reload/fire/discard

Free once fired Federal brass is great for reloading plinking ammo Load once, fire, then the scrap bucket. No problemo

 

[migrant hunter]

I've had no problem with it in several different calibers, but I won't even pick up federal. 223 at the range, as it's too hard to seat primers in.

 

[Ariu]

I had similar experience with win brass on a 300wsm. Split necks and loose primer pockets after the first shot (factory loads)
I thought there is smth wrong with my tikkas chamber, but no, brass performed OK with mild reloads.
As mention before, those wsm loads are loaded hot hot from factory.

 

[remington jim]

I've had no problem with it in several different calibers, but I won't even pick up federal. 223 at the range, as it's too hard to seat primers in.

I just Cleaned - resized and primed 40 FC 223 brass with CCIBR4 primers and ALL was Good ! Lucky I Guess - RJ

 

[Eagleye]

With the exception of 30-30 and some pistol cases, I avoid using Federal brass.

It is soft, and shows pressure signs at relatively low pressures. Most primer pockets
are oversize by the 3rd firing. I do not normally shoot any factory ammo, so any
Federal cases that come into my possession by accident end up in the brass bin, to
be recycled.

My B.I.L. has a 300 WSM, and factory Federal ammo fired in his rifle leaves distinct
ejector pin hole marks on the head of the cases. You can seat a primer in those fired
cases with your thumb. Not a great product, IMHO. Dave.