What's the deal with Federal brass supposedly not being as good as Winchester or Remington?
I have been reloading my factory Federal spent casings and so far after two reloads things are fine. The reason I ask is that I am contemplating on buying once fired federal brass in 270 for dirt cheap. Any thoughts?

Monti:

I'd buy it and not look back. Winchester may be better brass. I sure think it is. That does not translate to Federal being garbage brass. I reload all the Federal Brass I ever get and it has not failed me. I do prefer the Winchester, but don't let anyone fill your head with such witch's tails nonsense.

Cheers
seafire

I haven't had real problems with any brass, except that many years back, Norma brass was a little soft, and primer pockets would expand to the point that you could not reload them at powder charge levels somewhat lower than Win. or Remington.

I really like Federal brass. Something I've noticed with the brass I've used though, is that it weighs more than the Remington brass I have in the same caliber. That equals less powder space, so be careful as you approach max loads. I haven't weighed any Winchester brass in the same caliber, so I don't have any comparisons for that brass.

Monticello,

Years back I had problems with some Federal brass. I bought it as factory ammo and when fired most of the primers were flattened. Subsequently the primer pockets became loose after 1-3 loadings. Had that particular lot of ammo not been loaded too hot from the factory, then I doubt the problem would have arisen. I contacted Federal and got no satisfactory response. This was 270 Win ammo and the problem occurred ~20 years ago. FWIW

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What's the deal with Federal brass supposedly not being as good as Winchester or Remington?

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IMO Federal brass is fine product and if I could get a good buy on a lot of cases I wanted I sure wouldn't let the Federal headstamp back me up!!

I once read about a guy bitching about Hornady Frontier brass and saying how poor it was and how much better Winchester was.....little did he know that the Frontier brass WAS WINCHESTER brass!!! There's a lot of BS in the firearms business and one has to learn to sift a lot. Sometimes the best sifting tool is a scoop shovel.

Fed brass is just fine, not sure which is better or worse but they all work. The only brass I have had trouble with is Norma, I bought some 270wby that was from a bad lot, they replaced it, the necks split.

Hello,
Some of the complaints you are hearing about Federal Brass is probably coming from match shooters and that complaint is in regards to soft primer pockets, not the overall quality of the brass. If you shoot an M1 Garand, M1A(civilian version of the M14 u.s.service rifle) it is tough to get more than say, three or four firings out of a case due to the severe "thrashing" the brass takes in those type weapons. The case will separate and cause you problems during a match. Not that hard to get out of chamber, but not a good situation either. Should point out that in the two examples of U.S.Service rifles, the violent loading and extraction of any brass would still be good advise to not shoot more than three or four times. Even in bolt guns, non violent action to load or remove case, the Federal brass will expand the primer pocket after three or so firings to the point that you can almost shove the new primer in with your thumb. (gas leaking around primer leads to varying velocities and will score/mark/pock bolt face.) Not good.
If you will note most, not all, law enforcement uses Federal Match ammo for their duty rounds (308, 223,300Win Mag.)and it is very good ammo to say the least. (first shot, cold barrel situation/zero) But, law enforcement departments do not advocate or use reloaded ammunition for duty loads probably due to liability. Local police ranges leave the Federal to be tossed in to the trash drums and match shooters make no effort to pick it up for they will not use it. Hunters normally would not reuse their brass as much as match shooters and should work ok. For military rounds or sporting rounds/calibers, Winchester works fine, and many shooters use Lake City brass for their match shooting. I use the Lake City for both the 308 and the 223, but I have found the very best, long lived brass out their to be Lapua by a very wide margin. High quality brass in all respects. Just my thoughts and experiences.
dsiteman

Federal brass... going once, twice, SOLD!

I consider it superior over Remington and winchester by a long shot. Much more uniform.

I jsut bought a lot of 1000 pieces of federal match for a 308win. A friend of mine seems to aquire it from sharpshooters. or he is the armor I guess. I do notice that all the primers from the match ammo is flatten some. They may load it a little high from factory.

Hello,
Lot of match shooters do load a bit on the warm side after working up a good long range load, You noticed that with the primers and normally will not reload the Federal brass.
dsiteman

I've used plenty of federal brass - it is certainly no worse than the Rem of WW brass I've used...