Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

[Woozy Spec.]

Currently just purchased reloading gears and ready to go this way
but just wondering any factory ammo case can be re-used for reloading?

i shot a lot federal ammos and still keep the empty brass but not sure if i can use them for my reloading?

if not that's ok i still wanna keep them for memory

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

Federal can be short lived but you should be able to get a couple of reloads from it if you're not loading too hot. I've reloaded plenty and usually the primer pockets are the first things to go.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

Load it to factory speeds, and you'll get good case life. Hot rod it and the primer pockets will expand faster than Winchester. I get 6 to 10 reloads...use the neck sizing Redding bushing die or the Lee Collet die and save MONEY. JMHO

 

[Hummer]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

I have never had any luck with Fed Match brass. On the third reload I toss in salvage box. They would probably work real good with cast bullets and subsonic loads.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

Although I haven't tried it, the R.W. Hart Case Saver Tool looks rather interesting. The working of the brass in the pocket area might help to harden it. OTOH, softer brass could advantageous in the neck area.

Greg

 

[desertHK]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

Federal brass is not as hardy as some other commercially available brass. There is nothing wrong with using them for reload. Just don't expect to get 10-15 reloads out of them on regular basis.

 

[Former0302]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

Use what you have for as long as you can.

 

[Woozy Spec.]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

yeah.
by the time i also ordered two bags of winchester brass and recieved yesterday, however i saw many of them need to neck sizing since the shape of neck is not circle..

that's my first time of order, just wonder are they all coming like that?

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Federal factory ammo and reuse its cases?

They are minor dents from shipping. Nothing to be alarmed about. Just run them up into your resizing die to kiss the expander ball and bring them back into round.

I save all boxer primed brass. If I shot anywhere near Boltripper, I'd dethrone him as master brass scrounger.

You would do well to read a multitude of loading manuals and the numerous threads here and elswhere.