Federal brass

[xsn10s]

Just some food for thought. If you are seeing "possible" headspace issues with lower charges on your handloads I really don't see what firing factory ammo as the next step. The factory ammo will possibly have a stiffer load than your handloads and could lead to a case head failure. I'd check headspace first. Just my two cents worth.

 

[Joefrazell]

Well, all the federal brass had been fired from factory ammo from this rifle and then reloaded. The reason I want to know is so when I contact bergara I can let them know it's doing it with factory loads.

 

[Joefrazell]

I fully intend for them to be spinning on a new barrel if it shoes signs with factory ammo.

 

[Alibiiv]

When you get 3 firings out of brass from mild loads, yeah, it's pretty much garbage.

I don't hate Hornady, just the cartridges they make and the false claims they put on them.

Hi Mud, I always use Hornady brass because I cannot find anything "but' Hornady for my 35 Whelen and my .358 Winchesters. So far I have had good results from it. I am getting three to five reloads before primer pockets start to get loose. But there are not any problems with cases splitting, usually will trim after two reloads. Do you have any suggestions about another source for brass with these cartridges? It is hard to find brass for either of these cartridges anywhere. Thanks

 

[Dean2]

I fully intend for them to be spinning on a new barrel if it shoes signs with factory ammo.

DO NOT tell Bagara you were shooting hand loads in your gun. Talk about factory ammo only. Most makers will invalidate any warranty if hand loads are used. Second, I see no real reason to shoot more factory ammo in the gun. There is for sure an issue with this gun, take it in and check the head space or send it to Bagara but I for sure would not be shooting it anymore till I knew exactly what the issue is. Far too big a chance the problem will get worse or even go catastrophic. Your health, face, or eyesight aren't worth risking for any gun.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Interesting thread. I have no issue with Federal brass in 308 but I prefer Lapua or Nosler in 338 and 300 WM.

From my years of experience any brass is good if you prep it right with the exception of Hornady in 338 (the case body was too soft but I believe that has been address though I haven't purchased any after my initial purchase and undesirable results (stuck cases).

Reading along I also see that most poster don't anneal, just load and load, willy nilly. I anneal after every second loading and run everything in bushing dies, My longer range loadings are all with John Whidden custom machined dies, dies made to the exact chamber dimensions of the particular rifle I'm loading for.

Never has issue one with Federal brass and don't expect to., Brass is only as good as your prep procedure.

You schlock load, you get schlock results.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Hi Mud, I always use Hornady brass because I cannot find anything "but' Hornady for my 35 Whelen and my .358 Winchesters. So far I have had good results from it. I am getting three to five reloads before primer pockets start to get loose. But there are not any problems with cases splitting, usually will trim after two reloads. Do you have any suggestions about another source for brass with these cartridges? It is hard to find brass for either of these cartridges anywhere. Thanks

I was referring to Federal brass with the case/head separation issues.

The Hornady part was in response to something else.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Interesting thread. I have no issue with Federal brass in 308 but I prefer Lapua or Nosler in 338 and 300 WM.

From my years of experience any brass is good if you prep it right with the exception of Hornady in 338 (the case body was too soft but I believe that has been address though I haven't purchased any after my initial purchase and undesirable results (stuck cases).

Reading along I also see that most poster don't anneal, just load and load, willy nilly. I anneal after every second loading and run everything in bushing dies, My longer range loadings are all with John Whidden custom machined dies, dies made to the exact chamber dimensions of the particular rifle I'm loading for.

Never has issue one with Federal brass and don't expect to., Brass is only as good as your prep procedure.

You schlock load, you get schlock results.

I never had any issues with Federal brass in anything other than in magnum cartridges. I love Lake City 7.62x51 and 5.56 NATO brass. Matter of fact, I prefer to use LC 5.56 brass for my 5.56 reloads and for cutting down to make .300 BLK ammo. The case head and web are stronger than .223 and most other brands of 5.56 brass.

 

[Joefrazell]

Well went put and shot two different boxes of factory ammo (3 rnds of each) both had the same faint markings as in the other pics. I'll be contacting bergara to see what they will do. Also, I'll be taking the rifle to a smith mon or Tues to have them take a look and check the headspace. Hopefully I get a new barrel out of it as this barrel has never shot very well haha. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[FEENIX]

DO NOT tell Bagara you were shooting hand loads in your gun. Talk about factory ammo only. Most makers will invalidate any warranty if hand loads are used. Second, I see no real reason to shoot more factory ammo in the gun. There is for sure an issue with this gun, take it in and check the head space or send it to Bagara but I for sure would not be shooting it anymore till I knew exactly what the issue is. Far too big a chance the problem will get worse or even go catastrophic. Your health, face, or eyesight aren't worth risking for any gun.

Yep!

 

[ar10ar15man]

well just back from the range
2nd hand savage 10 in 308 24" bbl, 6-24x vortex VIPER HS
3rd firing, annealed, 185 lapua, n140, 2585 fps (WEIGHT SORTED ONLY)
600 yards 1/2 moa
seems ok to me

 

[FEENIX]

well just back from the range
2nd hand savage 10 in 308 24" bbl, 6-24x vortex VIPER HS
3rd firing, annealed, 185 lapua, n140, 2585 fps (WEIGHT SORTED ONLY)
600 yards 1/2 moa
seems ok to me

Savage rifles simply rocks!

 

[SidecarFlip]

One thing about Lapua and Nosler is, there is less prep because the flash holes are very consistent and deburred from the get go but you pay for that just like you pay for anything else. I load Federal brass all the time and have no accuracy issues at all

 

[Joefrazell]

Let's just clear this up now. Federal brass wad not the issue. It's a rifle issue. I've used federal brass for years in my 25-06 without any problems at all. But when you have a problem come up you have to diagnose it and in that process youve got to brainstorm the possible causes. Thanks again. Now time to go bear hunting.