Federal brass

[Gm weatherby man]

Noticed cabelas has federal brass, always had problem getting in years past, gave up trying. Is their brass still good or going the way of Winchester brass, any opinions ?

 

[Guy Miner]

I've long used Federal Gold Medal brass for some of my .308 loads.

Although it makes high quality ammo capable of fine accuracy, I've noticed that the primer pockets tend to open up faster than other brass, particularly Winchester. The Federal stuff is thicker and softer than the Winchester cases.

Guy

 

[DrMike]

Federal has a well-earned reputation of having softer brass than most others. That isn't altogether bad, however. I really like their brass. As Guy notes, the primer pockets will open somewhat faster, so it is less tolerant of excessive pressure. Nevertheless, it is good brass. I just picked up several packs of Federal brass in 338 Federal, but I haven't had opportunity to load them yet. I may pick some up in 300 WSM this next week, just to have.

 

[Too Tall]

I take it you don't like Winchester brass?
Federal makes Nosler brass.

 

[DrMike]

Nosler brass was made by Norma; as far as I know, that is still the case. If Federal is now manufacturing Nosler brass, it will be produced to requirements established by Nosler and to meet their own standards. Each manufacturer produces brass to a particular standard for their own purposes; and to meet a market demand, they will price their product to appeal to the niche they are addressing.

 

[338 Ultra]

Nosler brass was made by Norma; as far as I know, that is still the case. If Federal is now manufacturing Nosler brass, it will be produced to requirements established by Nosler and to meet their own standards. Each manufacturer produces brass to a particular standard for their own purposes; and to meet a market demand, they will price their product to appeal to the niche they are addressing.

Same thing I heard as well from a couple of people who are much more experienced that me when it comes to shooting and reloading. I have used norma in the past when I could find it and it was excellent. Have used some federal in the past and was not happy with it's softness. I found Rem brass to be my limit for softness and used to prefer Winchester but now Win is having serious QC issues or that it the case I have seen over the last 2-3 years. Have solved the brass problem though on my end Switching over to all nosler when I can get my hands on it for the calibers I shoot. It does last longer and is more uniform than any of the other domestic brass I have tried. My shooting friends say I am a bit touched in the head for spending " that much money" on brass, but in retrospect with the time I save in case prep and culling the others and the increase in case life I am money ahead. I have seen an increase in accuracy for group size just to add icing on the cake.

 

[SJB358]

Nosler brass was made by Norma; as far as I know, that is still the case. If Federal is now manufacturing Nosler brass, it will be produced to requirements established by Nosler and to meet their own standards. Each manufacturer produces brass to a particular standard for their own purposes; and to meet a market demand, they will price their product to appeal to the niche they are addressing.

Same thing I heard as well from a couple of people who are much more experienced that me when it comes to shooting and reloading. I have used norma in the past when I could find it and it was excellent. Have used some federal in the past and was not happy with it's softness. I found Rem brass to be my limit for softness and used to prefer Winchester but now Win is having serious QC issues or that it the case I have seen over the last 2-3 years. Have solved the brass problem though on my end Switching over to all nosler when I can get my hands on it for the calibers I shoot. It does last longer and is more uniform than any of the other domestic brass I have tried. My shooting friends say I am a bit touched in the head for spending " that much money" on brass, but in retrospect with the time I save in case prep and culling the others and the increase in case life I am money ahead. I have seen an increase in accuracy for group size just to add icing on the cake.

I couldn't have said it any better. Nosler brass is premo brass to me, lasts longer, require little to no prep and has been ultra consistent for me. If I can buy it as 2nds, I am all over it. You just can't beat it for the price. Scotty

 

[efw]

Federal makes Nosler brass.

Early on that was my understanding as well; sounds like that may have changed.

I've never loaded much Federal brass personally, but always assumed it'd just be Remchester (which I don't consider to be a bad thing). I just got into the habit of buying Remington 90% of the time, and Winchester the rest. Never had a problem w/ either. Have heard from many, many sources that Fed is soft, and my buddy who bought Nosler custom brass very early on when it came out said that while the specs were amazingly consistent the primer pockets opened up fast. Not saying that means it was made by Federal or that it is bad, just what I was told by a good friend.

I've got some range pick-up Federal '06 brass I've formed to 338-06 and am going to prep (anneal, trim, VLD chamfer, and debur) in prep for reception of my 338-06 AI barrel in a month or so. I'll let y'all know how it holds up...

Eventually I'll likely pick up some Lapua...

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I've had very poor luck with Federal brass.
Very inconsistant weight when sorting.
Very soft, to the point it didn't even want to trim properly.
Very short life. I've had once fired federal factory loads not take a primer.

It's not my favorite.