I discovered a couple of ziplock bags of once fired federal brass for my 300 WSM and 22-250, I know it's not nosler or lapua brass but given the present climate beggars can't be choosers when it comes to reloading components. Is federal brass any better or worse than Remington or Winchester brass when it comes to reloading? I'm going to use it for target practice and use the Nosler and Norma brass for hunting to make it last longer.
Thoughts on Federal Brass
- Thread starter tecumseh
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,312
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I've used a lot of Federal brass. Some condemn it as soft; that has not been my experience. It serves me well and I do not hesitate to use it.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,815
I use a lot of it with my .308 Win loads, the Federal Gold Medal brass.
By calling it "soft" all I mean is that the primer pockets tend to open up faster than other brass, using max or near-max loads.
The brass case itself tends to be thicker, heavier walled than Winchester for example. Might have to slightly adjust a maximum load to compensate for smaller internal volume.
Is it good brass, capable of working well in high quality ammo? You bet! I'll continue using it, and getting good results.
Guy
By calling it "soft" all I mean is that the primer pockets tend to open up faster than other brass, using max or near-max loads.
The brass case itself tends to be thicker, heavier walled than Winchester for example. Might have to slightly adjust a maximum load to compensate for smaller internal volume.
Is it good brass, capable of working well in high quality ammo? You bet! I'll continue using it, and getting good results.
Guy
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,312
- 5,975
Your point is valid, Guy. However, I seldom run my loads hot, so I have less trouble with the primer pockets enlarging.
CatskillCrawler
Handloader
- Jul 30, 2011
- 1,205
- 4
Guy Miner":3216b2tj said:
This has been my experience with Federal brass as well. I get 3-5 working loads out of them before the primer pockets loosen beyond tolerance. I have shot some 7-8 times out of my .270Win using 130gr bullets at ~2835fps and their primer pockets are tight.
- Thread starter
- #9
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,159
- 8,408
Federal makes good brass. If I am not mistaken, Federal makes some brass for Nosler. 
JD338
JD338
Glad to hear this about Federal brass as I bought 100pcs from Midsouth for my 7mmRem.Mag. I would have bought some more,but they got bought out. I'll buy some more when ever they get some in later. I used to use Federal brass years ago for my 7mmMauser and I liked it. Ya'll have a good day.
7mm's Forever and a 30 cal. will "Slam Dunk Um"
7mm's Forever and a 30 cal. will "Slam Dunk Um"
As others have said, I've had good luck reloading my FGMM 308 brass. I don't have enough data yet to speak to longevity, but it's shot extremely well.
As to their pistol brass, I'm less impressed. I bought up cases of the Federal 9mm at walmart, as the ammo was only a few bucks more than a bag of 100 cases. After turning that ammo into happiness, smoke and brass, I started reloading it.
I load a mild charge of N320 with a 124g CMJ bullet and a Federal primer. The Federal brass after 2-3 reloads, already had a few pieces showing up cracks and had to be discarded. The magpul brass is still going strong with the same number of reloads.
My sample size is small enough, that it may just be a statistical anomaly. Heck, I try to clean my area of the range around me before I shoot, and it's possible I had someone else's overused brass show up in my pile as well, although it's unlikely.
As to their pistol brass, I'm less impressed. I bought up cases of the Federal 9mm at walmart, as the ammo was only a few bucks more than a bag of 100 cases. After turning that ammo into happiness, smoke and brass, I started reloading it.
I load a mild charge of N320 with a 124g CMJ bullet and a Federal primer. The Federal brass after 2-3 reloads, already had a few pieces showing up cracks and had to be discarded. The magpul brass is still going strong with the same number of reloads.
My sample size is small enough, that it may just be a statistical anomaly. Heck, I try to clean my area of the range around me before I shoot, and it's possible I had someone else's overused brass show up in my pile as well, although it's unlikely.
Wincheringen
Handloader
- Jan 10, 2012
- 931
- 1
I would not go out of my way to buy it. I much prefer Remington and Winchester for bottleneck rifle brass and Starline for pistol and straight wall rifle.
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
- 1,602
- 0
JD338, the truth comes out. Lol. I have had very accurate loads with it in 7mag and 308.
Sas874runner
Handloader
- Oct 10, 2012
- 476
- 2
Quite possible but now that nosler has merged with ssa it could all be made by them from now on. It will be interesting to see what kind of ammuntion becomes availabe.JD338":1uopbn2p said:Federal makes good brass. If I am not mistaken, Federal makes some brass for Nosler.
JD338
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
Silver State makes all their own brass for all of their military and AR ammunition related business.
crash0ride
Beginner
- Jun 5, 2011
- 37
- 0
I got a buddy who has a ton of once fired Federal for 300 Winnie. My loads are on the hotter side and I had great results with Winchester but that is not available so I might try some Federal.
Who makes Nosler brass? I bought a box last year and some of the primer pockets got loose after a load or two in my 30-06. Had to toss about 15/50
Who makes Nosler brass? I bought a box last year and some of the primer pockets got loose after a load or two in my 30-06. Had to toss about 15/50
Antelope_Sniper
Handloader
- Jan 25, 2008
- 2,618
- 0
I like max loads, so I'm one of those guys that doesn't like Fed brass.
In .223 I've found it so soft that when I tried to trim it the case mouths would tear rather then cut.....
It's certainly not my first choice.....
In .223 I've found it so soft that when I tried to trim it the case mouths would tear rather then cut.....
It's certainly not my first choice.....
crash0ride
Beginner
- Jun 5, 2011
- 37
- 0
Antelope_Sniper":329ioofv said:
Denver eh?
