I have loaded a few hundred Fed .308 up to 4 loads now. No change in primer pockets and very accurate ammo. I see no problems with the brass either, use a lot of it in .44 mag as well. It definitely has less capacity than some other common makes (I can easily fit 3 grains more in Win brass)
Opinions of Federal Brass
- Thread starter OldSavage
- Start date
- Location
- Saskatchewan
One thing that too many people ignore is that Federal brass tends to be heavier ( thicker) than other brands. that translates to less internal volume, and more pressure with the same powder charge as other, thinner brass. My Federal .308 loads typically require a grain or so less powder to achieve the same velocity as loads in Winchester cases for instance.
Federal brass is also a little on the "soft" side. Not terribly soft, but a little. Combine those factors with people who don't work up loads for each type of brass and the Federal stuff doesn't last long. Pressures are too high, primer pockets open, and the brass life is short.
If you load appropriate loads in Federal brass it is perfectly OK.
Federal brass is also a little on the "soft" side. Not terribly soft, but a little. Combine those factors with people who don't work up loads for each type of brass and the Federal stuff doesn't last long. Pressures are too high, primer pockets open, and the brass life is short.
If you load appropriate loads in Federal brass it is perfectly OK.
Roughly get 4-5 loads out of 303 Brit federal brass. Cases are neck sized and using reduced loads with cast bullets. Brass held up well but alas you can push the primers in with your fingers. 223 is about 2-3 firings before the pockets loosen. Pistol brass seems to be holding up find at 6-7 firings. Use Winchester brass in everything else.
I was doing up a few batches of brass for spring. don't normally use federal but I have four bags of it for my 338 fed. the other new brass I did was win and remignton. the federal was the most uniform of the three brands. it didn't require trimming, primer pockets were very uniform and minimal inner flash hole burrs to clean up. hope I get a few firing out of it.
