I recently purchased a new Rem 700 KS Mountain Rifle in 35 Whelen. Not wanting to use Remington brass for reloading (just a personal thing), I bought 3 boxes of Federal 225 Grain Trophy Bonded (Federal # P35WT1). Federal is my prefered brand of brass, even if I have to buy factory ammo to get it.

They were from 2 lot numbers.

2 boxes lot number 3 01No 16
1 box lot number 0 1 5071V114

The first shot was exactly 2.5" high at 100 yds, which is a first, cause even with bore sighting they are never that close. Being somewhat elated, I did not pay much attention to the case, and chambered another round.

The second shot from lot Number 3 01No 16, really got my attention. I could see smoke at the rear of the bolt around the root of the bolt handle. Checking cases one and two I saw badly flatten primers, gas leakage around the case head, and gas soot part way up the case.

I stopped right there. Strangely neither round was hard to extract.

Rather than just go home, with some trepedation decided to fire some rounds from lot number 0 1 5071V114. This was an older lot judging by it's color, and the fact it had a 1999 copyright, vs the 2001 copyright marker on the box.

I fired seven rounds from this lot. One 3 shot group and one 4 shot. These groups printed exactly 2" high @ 100 yds.

Everything was normal. Primers nice and round. Group 1 was 3/4". Group two just over an inch. Seven shot composite group 1 1/4".

I decided to call it a day, and hoping my luck holds. Firing two bad rounds, without injury, then posting one of my better groups with a medium bore, with factory ammo no less.

This post is not a slam against Federal. The rifle could be at fault, but I still suspect the ammo. I've sent Federal an e-mail this evening, and I will post their response.

Just a word to all who may have this lot of ammo. It could be dangerous.

Thanks,

Bob

Shadow

I have some of this ammo from lot 010155R254 and fired it in a M7600 with no problems and excellent (for factory loads) groups. Good grief, I just noticed that the copyright date on my box is 1993.

How does it handle handloads?

Let us know what you find out from Federal.

WN

i ahve been using remington brass in my 35 whelen and have had no problems with it.. i use rl15 and sierra 225 boat tails instant death on a deer or hog..

i think i have shot out the barrel on my 1st year 30'06 ks and am thinking of having it rebarrelled to 35 eh. by the custom shop.. my 700 classic in 35 wh. won't fit is the ks barrel thinner in 35 wh??

Whelen Nut,

I haven't tried handloads, the nine shots mentioned above were the first I fired in the Rifle.

Please note only Lot # 3 01No 16 showed the primer leakage problem. The older lot did not.

Tom ga hunter,

The 700 KS Mountain Rifle uses a magnum contour barrel (.660" @ muzzle) 24" same as 300 winny or 338. So this custom shop barrel is thicker than yours.

Regards,

Bob

When you say "gas leakage around the case head " , do you mean you blew the primer ?

If not , flattened primers and sooty cases sound more to me like possible a case of excess headspace and low pressure , rather than dangerously high pressures ............did you chrono the loads......?

sdgunslinger,

The primer is intact, not pierced, but leakage is apparent all around the primer. The sides of the case is also sooted about a 1/4" up from the case head.

I never said it was dangerouly high pressures, and yes it could be a headspace problem, but gas leaking back through the action is never a good thing.

I did not crono the loads. The older lot (0 1 5071V114) Federal ammo worked fine. This has led me to suspect the ammo and not the rifle.

But the jury is still out on the rifle until I can run some more tests, including a chamber cast.

Bob

I wouldn't bother with a chamber cast, you already have it in the fired case.I would however, have the head space checked along with the bolt face, and striker.

My personal experience tells me that Federal's quality control has gone to pieces. I used it to the exclusion of others for years, it was a favorite. I still favor their primers.

I first noticed the decline about 4, or 5 years ago in .223 calibre. I have a bunch of once fired brass that didn't have any consistency at all in primer pockets, or neck tension. I'll bet I reject 20%-25% of it. The same holds true for the larger calibres today. Seems they are only good for a few reloads, and then the primer pockets become too loose to use. Some of it has such a shot lifespan, I don't even need to trim it!

I still have Federal brass from the 60's, 70's, and 80's that is going strong today. Lot# BD 27CB(.30-30) has to have 25 reloads on it, maybe more! Somewhere along the line, they had to have changed something, and it wasn't for the better.

I have experienced a number of soft cases made by Federal.These resulted in leaks around the primer. It was NOT excessive loads as I have some Win cases that have over 10 reloads and the primer pockets are still tight with the same charges. For this reason I do not use Fed cases for any max loads.

Several years ago a police office and gun collector told me that the Remmington offering of the 35 Whalen had abarrel designed to shoot 158 grain bullets.
Check your twist.

Punch out the leaky primers and measure the pockets. I would suspect the ammo as well.