Bought my first and last box of Federal?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

So I decided to finally pick up a box of hunting ammunition for my 308's. I got plenty of South African surplus and Remington UMC for plinking and the like, but never bought a box of ammunition for Deer. I have a couple of boxes of Norma, and a box each from Winchester and Remington hunting ammunition for my FN49 however.

So I picked up today a box of Federal "Premium" (I put that in quotes for a reason) 165gr Sierra Game King for this purpose.

This stuff is pretty inconsistent in its manufacture. More so then my "cheap" ammunition (ie the UMC). The canniture (sp?) compared to each other is more or less the same, I say more or less as some are loaded to the long side of it, while most seem to be somewhere in the middle. However, I have 2 rounds in the box where the canniture is barely visible cause the bullet is just that deep in its case. One isn't as bad, but it seemed odd how different they were since I never seen a box with this much difference in its crimp on the rounds. Never mind all the lead tips seemed to be "pushed" flat with little edges spread out abit. Confused

I don't know if this is "normal" as I have never seen it but I figured I'd post here and see what you guys think. Confused

Dimitri

Pumpkinslinger

How do the over all lengths compare? It would be best if you used a comparator as lead tipped ammo generally had some tips flattened to some extent.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Not too sure, I'll check it out when I get back to my place Monday (at my moms this weekend). I'm probably over reacting I think. But it just seemed odd to see that much of a difference. Smile

Dimitri

chambered221

Before you make your thoughts final, shoot them in the gun and let it tell you how good the ammo is!!!

I’ve used Federal premium with that same bullet in a 30-06 that shot just under a MOA at 100 yards. (3 shots) I’ve also used their Premium with Ballistic Tips in my 7mm08 that shoots well under a MOA at 100 yards. (also 3 shots)

Federal is a good company that stands behind their product. Drop them an E-mail with pictures and your concerns. I know guys that got free boxes of ammo this way. Worst case scenario, you get more plinking ammo.

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

Take the box back to the retailer,
I recently read a similar story.
Retailer exchanged boxes,
Said he hadn't seen it a box like it before.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

I don't think any retailer here actually accepts returns of ammunition for any reason. I have seen so many of those signs for "safety" reasons I never really look for them anymore.

However, the difference is only .025" at the most from deepest in the case to farthest out. I think I'll keep the box and shoot it up next time I go to a range once my Envoy is scoped. Maybe I'm just paranoid. Smile

Dimitri

fnuser

I think you're right, pick out the ugliest ones and shoot a group if you're satisfied with the results the rest will probably exceed that. I've found alot of really ugly bullets group okay. I am fortunate enough to live in the same state as the sierra factory and buy alot of seconds. really ugly .22's sorted by weight have made alot of .25 groups at 100 in a 22-250. and as for the length, if you varied them in the ones you picked to shoot it would definitly show you a bottom end of what to expect, you might even be amazed at how little it matters. Do you have an idea of how your fn49 shoots the fmj's in surplus?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

I never shot surplus 8mm Mauser from my FN49, just commercial ammunition. The American commercial is drown graded but now that I got 2 boxes of the European Norma stuff my sights are "right" for the ranges.

Dimitri

fnuser

I am a huge 8mm fan, Its one of my fav bullet dia.'s I got a 8x56, an 8x57 an 8x60 and an 8-280ackley, have you ever tried handloading now that you have a bullet wieght that works I'm guessing the norma is 196, is that right?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Yes the Norma I bought for hunting is right around 200gr (and 196gr seems about right) as that was issued with the FN49 in Egypt.

Dimitri

fnuser

All of my 8's really like the 180's that nosler makes in the ballistic tips. The old 8x56 really perks up in that weight. It shoots alot like a .308 when you go to the lighter bullets like that, and the open sights work with it also. The original loadings for it used 200's loaded at 2200 but it really likes the 180's at 2500 using rl15 or varget. I bet your 49 would too and you could probably get 2600 or better safely.

fnuser

Just out of curiousity, did you measure the difference between where the remington's 170, the winchester's 170, and the norma's 196 shoot?

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

I have 2 boxes of the Norma Vulcan 196gr. 2526 fps from the muzzle and 1832 fps at 300 yards.

Verses the Remington Core Lock 170gr that is only 2360 fps at muzzle and 1333 fps at 300 yards.

Dimitri

fnuser

I guess since you started this post w .308 stuff I should get back to that, but thats how it goes when you hit my hot button I've loaded a batch of berger 168 hunting vld's that I'm going to try in my fn not a 49 and when I seat them deep enough to function in the mag there is a huge jump to the lands. It'll be interesting to see how different they shoot against the steady diet of 168 smk's its had in the past. I've always thought about building a 3.25 mag box .308 and throating it to match the ogive profile but I've got a perfectly good 30-06 and and there are so many other calibers I want to try. Seriuosly though I bet those federals are "good enough" for all practical hunting scenarios.

fnuser

Thanks for appreciating my curiousity but when I said measured, I meant difference in impacts.