Does it rank way low on the preference chart? Have a bunch from federal gold medal but I rarely see anyone talking about loading with it.
Federal Brass
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Re: Federal Brass
If you have it load it.
It's H2O case capacity is close to Lapua in my rifle.
I'm on the 6th fire on one batch with the primer pockets still tight and no signs of separation.
Although annealing after about the 3rd or 4th fire is a good idea or you'll start to see your groups spread out.
Good Luck.
If you have it load it.
It's H2O case capacity is close to Lapua in my rifle.
I'm on the 6th fire on one batch with the primer pockets still tight and no signs of separation.
Although annealing after about the 3rd or 4th fire is a good idea or you'll start to see your groups spread out.
Good Luck.
Re: Federal Brass
I would use the brass if you have it, I wouldn't buy it new though. From what I have experienced, at least with 300 WSM cases, is that the federal brass has less case capacity than the rest and the primer pockets to get loose on SOME of the brass, but for the most part the primer pockets are fine.
I would use the brass if you have it, I wouldn't buy it new though. From what I have experienced, at least with 300 WSM cases, is that the federal brass has less case capacity than the rest and the primer pockets to get loose on SOME of the brass, but for the most part the primer pockets are fine.
Re: Federal Brass
The various brands amounts to a Ford/Chevy opinion. I (personally) do not care who else likes or dislikes Federal, or Winchester brass. A man needs to form his own opinions. Yeah, everybody likes Lapua, but Lapua doesn't make brass for every rifle I shoot, so I use other brands including Winchester and Federal. So far, it has not been a major calamity. <sarcasm> BB
The various brands amounts to a Ford/Chevy opinion. I (personally) do not care who else likes or dislikes Federal, or Winchester brass. A man needs to form his own opinions. Yeah, everybody likes Lapua, but Lapua doesn't make brass for every rifle I shoot, so I use other brands including Winchester and Federal. So far, it has not been a major calamity. <sarcasm> BB
Re: Federal Brass
I went through my logbook on my brass and heres an assessment I have about the federal brass I have, to add on to my previous statement:
-They do indeed hold less powder, they weigh about a half a gram more than the next heaviest on my list (remington), heres a list of the average weight of all of the brass I have, its not much:
-Federal: 15.51g, spread: .1g
-Remington: 15.01g, spread: .29g
-Winchester Nickel: 14.95g, spread: .18g
-Winchester brass: 14.80g, spread: .16g
This is for 300WSM brass. as you can see, Federal is the heaviest, and that translates to holding less powder, I haven't done a capacity test yet but from what I have experienced, it does indeed hold less powder than the others, which all hold just about the same. One thing you'll notice is that the Federal brass is very consistent, the most consistent of the bunch, which would help accuracy. Another thing, which I find strange, is that some of my Federal brass was labeled -FC- instead of a standard FC like most of my brass, the ones labeled -FC- were actually lighter that the others, about 15.05g, and were just as consistent as the other Federal brass. I don't know if its newer Federal brass or not, but if I could find Federal Brass labeled -FC- I would actually love to get it, as it definitely feels like premium brass.
Edit: I also measured neck thickness, and they all averaged out to about .017in, the spreads also mirror the spreads in weight as well, with Remington having Neck thickness all over the place and most of the Federal brass being right at .017in, so you have some idea on the consistency of these brass manufacturers.
I went through my logbook on my brass and heres an assessment I have about the federal brass I have, to add on to my previous statement:
-They do indeed hold less powder, they weigh about a half a gram more than the next heaviest on my list (remington), heres a list of the average weight of all of the brass I have, its not much:
-Federal: 15.51g, spread: .1g
-Remington: 15.01g, spread: .29g
-Winchester Nickel: 14.95g, spread: .18g
-Winchester brass: 14.80g, spread: .16g
This is for 300WSM brass. as you can see, Federal is the heaviest, and that translates to holding less powder, I haven't done a capacity test yet but from what I have experienced, it does indeed hold less powder than the others, which all hold just about the same. One thing you'll notice is that the Federal brass is very consistent, the most consistent of the bunch, which would help accuracy. Another thing, which I find strange, is that some of my Federal brass was labeled -FC- instead of a standard FC like most of my brass, the ones labeled -FC- were actually lighter that the others, about 15.05g, and were just as consistent as the other Federal brass. I don't know if its newer Federal brass or not, but if I could find Federal Brass labeled -FC- I would actually love to get it, as it definitely feels like premium brass.
Edit: I also measured neck thickness, and they all averaged out to about .017in, the spreads also mirror the spreads in weight as well, with Remington having Neck thickness all over the place and most of the Federal brass being right at .017in, so you have some idea on the consistency of these brass manufacturers.
Re: Federal Brass
I reload.....all guns I shoot....if you`re going to shoot a caliber alot..... buy a box of Lapua.....you`ll see the difference in quality and long life...
bill larson
I reload.....all guns I shoot....if you`re going to shoot a caliber alot..... buy a box of Lapua.....you`ll see the difference in quality and long life...
bill larson
Re: Federal Brass
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zuke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Heavier case=thicker case=longer case life. </div></div>
Not necessarily the case, especially with Federal brass. If the brass is softer (as in with Federal), it is more likely to wear out sooner, I'm going to go on a limb and guess that is where the primer pocket expanding problems come from, I've only had 3 I had to throw away due to the primer pockets, but that was only after the 3rd loading.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: zuke</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Heavier case=thicker case=longer case life. </div></div>
Not necessarily the case, especially with Federal brass. If the brass is softer (as in with Federal), it is more likely to wear out sooner, I'm going to go on a limb and guess that is where the primer pocket expanding problems come from, I've only had 3 I had to throw away due to the primer pockets, but that was only after the 3rd loading.
Re: Federal Brass
I shot it in matches last year because I had a bunch of once fired. I've got some that is 5X fired and primer pockets still feel tight. Capacity is less, my loads are 1 to 1.2 grn lower when using FGMM as compared to Winchester for same MV with Varget and Sierra 175's. When I got my new rifle I bought 500 pieces of Winchester and I'm using it now for matches. Will continue to load/use the FGMM for practice rounds until it's wore out.
If you have it use it. I wouldn't buy Federal if buying new but certainly would use what you have on hand, just adjust load accordingly.
I shot it in matches last year because I had a bunch of once fired. I've got some that is 5X fired and primer pockets still feel tight. Capacity is less, my loads are 1 to 1.2 grn lower when using FGMM as compared to Winchester for same MV with Varget and Sierra 175's. When I got my new rifle I bought 500 pieces of Winchester and I'm using it now for matches. Will continue to load/use the FGMM for practice rounds until it's wore out.
If you have it use it. I wouldn't buy Federal if buying new but certainly would use what you have on hand, just adjust load accordingly.
Re: Federal Brass
Well I've got it so I'll start there. Have a couple rounds of hornsby match but not enough to develop a load for.
Well I've got it so I'll start there. Have a couple rounds of hornsby match but not enough to develop a load for.
Re: Federal Brass
I believe I read an article in Rifle or Handloader magazine by John Haviland about his trip to the Norma factory - said he saw Norma 300 WSM brass headstamped with the FC stamp...
Wonder if FC has them make their 7mm and 270 WSM brass also.
I believe I read an article in Rifle or Handloader magazine by John Haviland about his trip to the Norma factory - said he saw Norma 300 WSM brass headstamped with the FC stamp...
Wonder if FC has them make their 7mm and 270 WSM brass also.
Re: Federal Brass
I use some FC, some Winchester and some Lapua. I prefer the Lapua and although it is the most expensive if you get long life from your brass it won't matter what the up front cost is. Lapua comes annealed and in excellent condition. I find I need to do more intensive prep work on the Winchester. The FC tends to stretch a ton after each firing. This is for 308 and 300 WM. I would use whatever you have on hand (my FC is FGMM as well) and then when buying new just get Lapua if it is available.
I use some FC, some Winchester and some Lapua. I prefer the Lapua and although it is the most expensive if you get long life from your brass it won't matter what the up front cost is. Lapua comes annealed and in excellent condition. I find I need to do more intensive prep work on the Winchester. The FC tends to stretch a ton after each firing. This is for 308 and 300 WM. I would use whatever you have on hand (my FC is FGMM as well) and then when buying new just get Lapua if it is available.
Re: Federal Brass
I think that it works pretty good. As said before. I would not go out and buy it brand new but would not hesitate to reload it one bit if you have some.
I think that it works pretty good. As said before. I would not go out and buy it brand new but would not hesitate to reload it one bit if you have some.
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