I have a box of .243 Federal power shock that I shot several years ago and I saved the brass. While priming after tumbling and sizing, I noticed that 4 of them had slight ejector marks on the heads. The primers were flat but not cratered and I don't remember having stiff bolt lift. Could factory ammo really be loaded that hot? That was the first box of ammo I fired through the rifle. Is Federal brass known to be softer than others?
Ejector marks on factory ammo?
- Thread starter desertcj
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,502
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The only factory ammunition I ever had that was hot all bore the Federal label. They make some amazingly accurate loads, and they make some that are clearly tickling the dragon's tail. Consequently, those hot loads were for several different chamberings. I discovered this when using factory fodder while breaking in customers' rifles.
HeathSexton
Handloader
- May 12, 2006
- 1,209
- 41
I shot some Federal Premium 85gr Sierra Gamekings from my 22" Savage years back and for a 10 shot string they were all 3300fps+. They shot very accurate but were a tad warm. 
- Thread starter
- #4
Yes...federal is about the softest ammo out there and seeing the slightest hint of ejector marks wouldn't scare me. Also being it was virgin brass its possible it did a little more chamber "fireforming" and moved back towards your bolt face a little more aggressively.
It usually doesn't take much to expand federal primer pockets so if they were good and tight I would also chalk that up to not having excessive pressure.
It usually doesn't take much to expand federal primer pockets so if they were good and tight I would also chalk that up to not having excessive pressure.
I had that happen with federal 270 wsm ammo, but the ejector marks were very deep and I also had stiff bolt lift. It also caused brass to shave off in my chamber which led to chambering issues. I thought there was something wrong with my rifle for a few months until I shone a flashlight into the chamber and saw all the shavings.
I've seen factory wsm ammo do some crazy speeds. I was at the range one day and a guy showed up w/a 270 wsm w/factory ammo. We ran a couple rounds over my chrono and the speeds out of his 24" barrel were right on top of what I felt were Max loads in my 270 wby w/26" barrel.
I just don't hardly shoot anything anymore w/o my chrono. Its amazing what you'll see......whether severe anemia or near nucleor performance. And a chrono might tell you why a gun doesnt like certain ammo. This fall I took a buddies rem 280 to the range w/factory rem ammo. It had been shooting terrible.....I found 100 fps speed swings in the ammo....so my trip was pretty inconclusive....might not be a problem with the gun at all.
For the cost of a chrono it just "completes" or certainly sheds a bright light on the whole ordeal of a range trip.
I just don't hardly shoot anything anymore w/o my chrono. Its amazing what you'll see......whether severe anemia or near nucleor performance. And a chrono might tell you why a gun doesnt like certain ammo. This fall I took a buddies rem 280 to the range w/factory rem ammo. It had been shooting terrible.....I found 100 fps speed swings in the ammo....so my trip was pretty inconclusive....might not be a problem with the gun at all.
For the cost of a chrono it just "completes" or certainly sheds a bright light on the whole ordeal of a range trip.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,836
- 6,312
Years ago had some .308 Winchester brand match ammo, 168 grain stuff, that was HOT.
Printed great groups. Stiff bolt on each shot. Finally had to tap open the bolt with a plastic headed mallet... That was the end of shooting that stuff! This was from my Rem 700, a pretty doggone strong action. Still had the factory barrel with very generous throat at that point too. I think I've got the rest of that box of ammo around here somewhere. Probably at least 12 rounds left. Anyone want to try it? :twisted:
And Weatherby factory ammo is often loaded right up to the max velocity. Sometimes hotter than the advertised velocity. I haven't however, heard of it giving any problem in Weatherby rifles. Perhaps because of their "free bore" or generous throat?
Guy
Printed great groups. Stiff bolt on each shot. Finally had to tap open the bolt with a plastic headed mallet... That was the end of shooting that stuff! This was from my Rem 700, a pretty doggone strong action. Still had the factory barrel with very generous throat at that point too. I think I've got the rest of that box of ammo around here somewhere. Probably at least 12 rounds left. Anyone want to try it? :twisted:
And Weatherby factory ammo is often loaded right up to the max velocity. Sometimes hotter than the advertised velocity. I haven't however, heard of it giving any problem in Weatherby rifles. Perhaps because of their "free bore" or generous throat?
Guy
You're right about the weatherby throat Guy. I think "most" other brands build a throat into their wby chamberings but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way mine didn't have it. Years ago a friend had 2 custom 300 wby built....one w/freebore and the other was supposed to be a "match" set up. We found a mild to medium load the freebore rifle liked.....I downloaded three grains from there and the first case in the non freebore rifle blew a primer. I think that load was only a grain or maybe two over published starting loads...ouch....another lesson in reloading!
