Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

[uracowman]

How many firings do you usually get out of the brass before you end up pitching it? I'm probably on my 7th or 8th firing on my brass, and there are no signs of case head separation or cracking on the necks. The ONLY thing I am noticing is that some of the primer pockets are feeling a little loose (primer requires very little pressure to insert when using the priming tool, but the primer cannot be seated by hand).

Current load: 44.6g of varget, 178 Amax, 2.267 OAL from the ogive

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uracowman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How many firings do you usually get out of the brass before you end up pitching it? I'm probably on my 7th or 8th firing on my brass, and there are no signs of case head separation or cracking on the necks. The ONLY thing I am noticing is that some of the primer pockets are feeling a little loose (primer requires very little pressure to insert when using the priming tool, but the primer cannot be seated by hand).

Current load: 44.6g of varget, 178 Amax, 2.267 OAL from the ogive </div></div>

I use Federal 308 brass in smaller batches and have at least 4-5 out of them. Federal has a reputation for being softer brass, so you're going to loosen up your primer pockets first, I'd imagine?

Shoot it, wear it out, recycle it...simple.

I've bought 1x FGMM before, for not a lot, but I wouldn't pay Lapua prices for it. It's decent brass while it's working.

Chris

 

[Oneteam]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

I use quite a bit of federal FGMM brass and the first thing to get "loose" is the primer pockets.I usually throw them out after 5 reloads, that means they have been fired 6 times.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

Ditto

 

[texastonk]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

I have a batch now thats on its 3rd reload. Had to throw away 3 pieces due to loose primer pocket. The primers went in with very little effort. They might have been ok, but I didnt think it was worth the try. I say us'em till their no good. Some will last longer than others.

 

[CajunAR]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

I've got a batch right now on it's 4th firing and everything still seems fine. I'm also shooting in a semi so it's alittle harder on the brass but thus far it's been my go to brass.

I did just buy some Lapua to give it a shot, but i have nothing but good things to say about the FGMM brass i've reloaded so far.

 

[uracowman]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

Are loose primer pockets a bad thing?

My definition of loose primer pockets are primers that are easy to seat with a priming tool, but CANNOT be seated by hand.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

I shoot some Federal Brass but about a grain less than your load with the same bullet. Primer pockets aren't loosening up and I get good accuracy.

I also get better case life from Winchester cases. The Fed's are for my "loose the brass" situations.

 

[kjh762]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

Have had good luck with Federal brass. Run 44.5 of Varget under a 175smk. Neck size only, had to full length after about every 5 reloads. Got about 12 reloads before primers loosened.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

I get about the same performance you do, and notice the primer pockets loosening. But, I anneal the necks.

Oddly, when I weighed the Federal GMM cases, they weighed about the same as the military cases...there wasn't a significant difference between match, or standard military cases either, although there was a tiny difference.

When I loaded all three cases with the same powder and bullet, they all performed the same over my chrono.

What I don't understand is that I had always heard that military cases are thicker/heavier than civilian cases. Perhaps Federal GMM is the exception.

I do note that the military case primer pockets do last much better than the Federal. I think that is a function of those cases being harder to begin with.


The Military match cases, haven't shown any loosening of primer pockets yet, and I read somewhere that those cases go through additional manufacturing procedures to make them that way.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Unknown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I get about the same performance you do, and notice the primer pockets loosening. But, I anneal the necks.

Oddly, when I weighed the Federal GMM cases, they weighed about the same as the military cases...there wasn't a significant difference between match, or standard military cases either, although there was a tiny difference.

When I loaded all three cases with the same powder and bullet, they all performed the same over my chrono.

What I don't understand is that I had always heard that military cases are thicker/heavier than civilian cases. Perhaps Federal GMM is the exception.

I do note that the military case primer pockets do last much better than the Federal. I think that is a function of those cases being h arder to begin with.


The Military match cases, haven't shown any loosening of primer pockets yet, and I read somewhere that those cases go through additional manufacturing procedures to make them that way. </div></div>

I've been reading lately that the new standard for LR .308 military ammo is the MK316 Mod 0. This is supposed to use the FGMM brass with some enhancements

Since this ammo is designed for the bolt actions, not machine guns such as the M-60, the brass doesn't need the extra wall thickness that the old 7.62X51 NATO had. Don't know if the "new stuff" is even crimped. Have also read that sometimes all the enhancement involves is some "work hardening" of the case head to ensure a tighter primer pocket.

Any "real" info on this would be appreciated as all mine is all "netfo".

 

[LineofDeparture]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

the LC brass i use for 308 and FGMM brass is almost identical in case capacity and i see almost identical results on the chrono. But yes the primer pockets loosen a bit after a few firings. I also anneal everything. Its good brass if you get it without much cost, but i wouldnt go out looking to buy it.. LC is pretty decent brass as well. Seems to last longer than the FGMM..

 

[M C]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

deadshot, yes thats the new nomenclature for what was known as m118lr. the only difference is the powder used. m118 lr used reloader 15 and the new stuff uses reloader 17. its less sensitive to temperature changes and i have seen and used some, there is NO difference in the brass or crimping/manufacturing process.
I use lc lr and it is on its fourth reload, its just like new as far as the pockets and everything goes. they are a little 'harder' than fgmm or fc brass, so we'll see how long they last. i have quite a bit of once fired lc brass i'd be willing to part with...

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M C</div><div class="ubbcode-body">deadshot, yes thats the new nomenclature for what was known as m118lr. the only difference is the powder used. m118 lr used reloader 15 and the new stuff uses reloader 17. </div></div>

I thought it was IMR 4064 in the "new stuff". Saw a sheet that listed the components posted on one forum or another. Supposedly 41.7 gr of IMR 4064 was the load.

Personally, I've tried the RL-17 in my .308 loads. I would judge it as OK but nothing special. Still prefer Varget, RL-15, or IMR 4064 for my .308 loads, depending on bullet weight and mood

 

[softcock]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

(my opinion) The Fed. Brass is pretty much like any other brass . The Primmer Pockets loosen-up depending how hot you run them . They last long time on 2600 fps. vel. . but if you torch them off @ 3000 fps . your only going to get 3, then throw them in the trash .
Fed. is lot thicker than Win. & maybe a bit thicker than Lapua but about the same heaviness as LC .308 . I can get good groups out the Fed. brass also but I will re-anneal them right off the bat after one or two firings .

It is thick like LC .308 but I think the LC is a little better quality I . I got about 1250 New LC .308 that I have squirreled away also for reloading someday on a new build .
Winchester .308 brass I think is about the best All-Around Brass for the buck-$ & reloading . but I will not turn my nose up at the Fed. Brass . You just have to take the extra time to learn it's differences from other Brass .
.

 

[softcock]

Re: Question for people who reload Federal .308 brass

There is a lot of false info on the FC floating around with people saying it is not accurate because it is different from Brass they usually use for reloading .
Pic .once fired FC brass .
annealed / full body sized / neck sized .335 / chamfered / stainless media washed .

Grabbed 5-cases from a big bag of FC brass ( today ) . went out and fired it threw Boltaction / 22" SS 11-27 twist barrel .
43.0 grn. reloader #15 / 175 grn. Sierra / OAL 2.850
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<span style="font-weight: bold">edit to add:</span>
changed neck-size from .336 to .335
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