Federal ammo issues

[RustyIron]

Recently I’ve experienced an unusual amount of issues with federal FMJ ammo. Out of 5 magazines, I’ve had roughly half malfunction. Seems to be too lightly loaded.

Sometimes you'll run across a gun that chokes on a particular flavor of ammo. It's not super rare for this to happen. Sure, it could be defective ammo. Anything's possible. More likely, though, the ammo is within SAAMI specs, but maybe it's at the far end of the acceptable spectrum. If that's the case, you might want to start thinking about your gun. Why is the gun choking on ammo that is within specifications? If it chokes on THAT ammo, how close is it to choking on the ammo that you think is ok? It might be prudent to start checking your gun to make sure that everything is adjusted as perfectly as you can get it.

 

[BCar777]

Sometimes you'll run across a gun that chokes on a particular flavor of ammo. It's not super rare for this to happen. Sure, it could be defective ammo. Anything's possible. More likely, though, the ammo is within SAAMI specs, but maybe it's at the far end of the acceptable spectrum. If that's the case, you might want to start thinking about your gun. Why is the gun choking on ammo that is within specifications? If it chokes on THAT ammo, how close is it to choking on the ammo that you think is ok? It might be prudent to start checking your gun to make sure that everything is adjusted as perfectly as you can get it.

This makes sense. That’s why I ran the ammo on two other platforms and had the same problems. I was trying to rule out and isolate the problems. Those three firearms too, never had any issues prior and I clean and maintain all my carry weapons every time they are fired. I’m always open to it being anything though. As I stated earlier, I keep seeing recent problems with others using specifically Federal. Which Federal, I’m not 100% sure. Honestly I like AE Federal the most which is why it’s what I purchase each time. I’m running it through all my firearms: FN, S&W, & Sig’s

 

[cali_jazz]

Yeah it was Champion. The rare time I got two 500rd boxes (bulk). Originally the first firearm was Sig P365X w Radian Ramjet which normally runs perfectly. To isolate the problem I ran the same ammo in my P320 and S&W Shield plus. Same result. Stovepipes over and over again. Every 5 rounds was a failure to return to battery. I used Blazer and no issues on any of the 3 firearms.

That's a pretty convincing test. Same malfunctions across three different pistols, while Blazer runs flawlessly in all three, strongly points to the Champion. Stovepipes are consistent with weak loads, but without chrono data it's hard to say for sure. Champion has a mixed reputation over the years.

Did Federal ever give you an explanation after you returned the ammo? With another 5K rounds of Federal on hand, I'd be curious whether any of your remaining FMJ is Champion from the same lot. Check the lot number on the box(es). If you didn't record the lot number from the returned ammo, Federal may have it on file. I wouldn't wait to find out, if it's the same lot I would make them swap it out for a known good batch.

I wouldn't necessarily worry about the HST since it's a different product line.

 

[Shellbackitup]

What kind of malfunctions were you experiencing, and in what firearm? What caliber, bullet weight? Were you getting failures to eject or stovepipes, or failures to feed? Also curious whether other brands ran reliably in the same gun. Half the rounds malfunctioning is pretty extreme, even for an underpowered load.

Federal makes a few different lines: American Eagle, Champion, Syntech, etc. Champion is their budget range ammo, I'm not a fan. I will only shoot American Eagle or Syntech.

I forgot about this problem.

I've had loading issues with Federal Syntech in .45 ACP

I really, REALLY wanted the .45ACP to work since it was only a couple bucks more than Blazer and Federal Champion and the same as American Eagle. The lower fouling, plus cleaner powder and primers really were nice selling points since I shoot indoors mostly.
But my CGW CZ-97 wouldn't run it. The polished feed ramp was too sharp and caught the soft coating. I haven't tried it in my Ed Brown 1911 since it was so frustrating. I've never had any other ammo issues with that Cajunized 97.

I had the same issue with CCI .22LR Clean-22 Red Polymer Coated rounds. They catch on the feedramp of my Mark III, with slices into the copper from where they catch.

I haven't had issues with the 9mm Syntech, but haven't bought but 500 round of it, as it's quite a bit more than the American Eagle (or anything lower), unlike the great price on .45 I got.

 

[Shellbackitup]

Can I ask what everyone’s go to 9mm FMJ ammo manufacturer choices are and grain?

I like American Eagle, Federal, Blazer, Remington UMC in that order, due to US manufacturing. S&B, PMC, and Fiocchi are acceptable foreign made alternatives, but I won't typically buy more than 250-500 at a time, where US brands I'll buy cases of 1000 or more.

I prefer 147grain over 124grain, which I prefer over 115

But grain is less important to me for range time than the brand and being US built.

I want to start competing but don't have a reloading setup, so I expect grain size to become more important in the near future.