Federal Brass

[Rooster52]

Anyone reload Federal brass ?

 

[Deleted member 16014]

I shot it in my .243. I didn't have a concentricity gauge then so I can't speak to that...I've since switched to Lapua because I don't lose much and over the life of the brass the price difference is inconsequential to me.

 

[1_pointer]

Federal brass has a bit of a reputation for being 'soft' and not lasting as many loadings as others, FWIW. If Lapua makes what I need I buy that as it is good stuff. If they don't I've used Winchester and had good luck.

 

[Bambistew]

I much prefer Federal over Winchester, Remington, or Hornady. I'm too cheap for lupua...

I ha haven't noticed it being soft or having shorter life . I usually aneal after 4-5 loadings also fireform for a couple rifles

 

[Southwind]

I have loaded them before, they were a little on the soft side when I was shooting and reloading thousands of rounds a year but for a hunting application I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

 

[TheShootist.41]

I have loaded them before, they were a little on the soft side when I was shooting and reloading thousands of rounds a year but for a hunting application I wouldn't hesitate to use them.

+1 on that.

 

[bjtc_brian]

I usually aneal after 4-5 loadings

I have never anealed any brass, do you have a "tool" to do this?

 

[Ben Lamb]

I have never anealed any brass, do you have a "tool" to do this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbqx4YhjCO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TUCJUtqqE8

Going to build one this summer so I can do it and save my brass on the big bores.

 

[bjtc_brian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbqx4YhjCO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TUCJUtqqE8

Going to build one this summer so I can do it and save my brass on the big bores.

So, what are all the parts in the first one? It looks like it is based on some sort of timer and seems very efficient.

 

[Ben Lamb]

So, what are all the parts in the first one? It looks like it is based on some sort of timer and seems very efficient.

Not sure, but a fella who was handy could make their own base & turret attached to one of these:
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/120vacgearheadmotor65rpm.aspx

 

[jryoung]

I've got a guy near me that will polish and anneal for $.10/case. Happy to give you his info if you guys are interested, he's done two orders for me and I'm sending out a third.

Some 7 mag cases he did for me.

 

[bjtc_brian]

This one looks easy enough to make!

http://wn.com/annealing_for_reloading

I still like the machine in the first clip that Ben posted. It sure seems like it would be the easiest. Does it do any good to anneal the case after each firing?

 

[Bambistew]

I have some paste I brush on the neck, it turns blue when the temp is right. Don't remember what the brand is. I came in about an 8oz can had it about 10 years... I brush on the paste, then put the cases in a pan of water up about 3/4 of an inch to an inch depending on case size. Then hit them with a torch till the blue shows (8-10 seconds?), then tip them over in the water. I do about 20 cases at a time. I must do this with my 35 Brown, otherwise the cases last me about 1-2 firings before separation at the shoulder. That's a fun time, let me tell you. A good reminder of why you wear safety glasses when shooting.

 

[bjtc_brian]

Since I have hijacked the thread already anyhow! This appears to have more info about annealing than any person should know....

http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html

 

[danr55]

All very nice and very complicated. I use a bread pan half full of water and a small torch. Heat the case necks and then just let them cool. Very cheap but very effective.