Opinions of Federal primers

If anything I do works, I won't touch another Remington Primer in my lifetime - and I actively make sure I don't get cornered into buying them. I do shoot quite a few Federal Primers. CCI's are my bread and butter, but in preferential order, after CCI's I'd pick Federal Match primers, then Win's. If I find myself cornered someday into less desirable primers, then I've failed in multiple layers of redundancy, and I'd have to accept the consequences of my poor preparation.
 
I never have had an issue with Federal primers. I use nothing but their match primers in my bolt guns. They actually are more consistent and produce better groups for me. The thing I hate about Federal is those darn trays they come in...
 
I'm finding nearly as much variability in primer experience as I do in brass selection for reloading. One loader's bane is another's favorite. I'm sure it has a lot to do with application and experience. One shooter despises Remington primers. I'd love to get more. Others only use CCI, while still others won't take them for free. I made my purchase of TulAmmo primers based on overwhelmingly positive feedback from scores of shooters. Totally despise them. Had a chance to trade some out to a fellow needing small pistol in exchange for small rifle. I offered TulAmmo, S&B, or CCI. He was interested in the TulAmmo, but I shared my honest opinion with him....and lo and behold, he went with the CCI.
My next objective is to acquire some Unis-Ginex primers, as they run 4.5mm, vs 4.4mm in nearly all other brands. I'm hoping that gives me another firing (or 2?) in 224 Valkyrie, which is the only caliber I shoot that often blows out the primer pockets in 1 firing. Nothing worse than having to toss factory brass after firing because the primer pocket is blown out.
 
I used 1000 Federal SPP loaded on a single stage and shot in revolvers. The primers were perfect. I hate the packaging so much as to not buy them again if any other brand is available. It just is hard for my loading system when the primers dump out sideways and roll.
 
Bill M. said:
I used 1000 Federal SPP loaded on a single stage and shot in revolvers. The primers were perfect. I hate the packaging so much as to not buy them again if any other brand is available. It just is hard for my loading system when the primers dump out sideways and roll.
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Have you tried those primer flip trays? The work pretty good. Dump them in the tray, a few gentle side to side shakes and they all turn cup up. Put the lid on them and you can flip them cup down.
 
mcb said:
Have you tried those primer flip trays? The work pretty good. Dump them in the tray, a few gentle side to side shakes and they all turn cup up. Put the lid on them and you can flip them cup down.
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I'm not understanding the packaging problems either. I open them up, put 1/2 of my primer tray over the top and flip them over.
I do know that some older primer trays were round vs square and were smaller. I do know Federal's packaging is larger and takes up more shelf space.
 
Laphroaig said:
Federals are considered the softest of the primers, and some people will tell you not to use them in semiautos.I had a slam fire in a Garand once, with a Federal primer.

While you might get another loading or two with a slightly bigger primer, I'd start thinking about changing out my brass.

ETA: what headstamp brass? Just curious.
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Good advise. With all the attention given to head space, cartridge length, OAL, and bullet seating, many shooters/reloaders over look primer pockets stretching. It happens. I had a lot of .308 cases that had loose primer pockets after several reloads.

As to Federal primers I’ve used the with no problems and in this day and age but whatever is available.
 
I kinda have to go along with the "load pressure to high" group. I've been pouring powder in cases for quite a few years and pushed some loads pretty hard. One thing about LC brass is that it usually requires a drop off of the usual listed max listed loads a bit. I've found this to be true with 223, 308, and '06 cases I've loaded. In most of the normal loads I get 5 plus loads before any noticeable changes occur other than the usual trimming being needed. This is in line with most factory brass.

I use all brands and sizes of primers. The determining factor is usually which is oldest or the caliber and amount I'm loading. I do have a couple of high octane wildcat calibers in custom built rifles that use the Fed 250GM and even with those I get 8-10 loads before the pockets start to loosen up.
 
I have had no problems with FED primers to date. In the past I have used MIL SPEC primers in firearms that might have a slamfire after I learned that it could happen. Still I loaded plenty before with zero problems.
I do agree the large boxes are a PITA as far as storing and dispensing though.
 
Walkalong said:
I don’t mind the packaging, but I seem to be in the minority on that.
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I’m one which hates the big Federal packaging. It’s a marketing strategy - sitting on the shelf beside competition, consumers FEEL like they’re getting more for their money, because it’s bigger… but when I get it home, I know when I have that one huge box, I’m basically out of primers, and I can’t get as many on the same shelf, not as many by about 2/3. The sustainablist in me hates the idea of that much extra packaging, and especially that much extra plastic.

So even though I like Federal primers and like the folks I know from Federal, I hate their packaging.
 
Nature Boy said:
Me either. What people choose to complain about baffles me sometimes
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My camp as well, fed primers have thinner cups ( iirc) Alex suggests they favor less firing spring poundage but only testing will determine that for sure. As we ( you and I) both tested in our own set ups we both know which ones our particular rifle likes at longer distances but just so others reading this thread don’t get on the wrong path, I’ll mention again that at shorter ranges most perform well but stretch out a ways and cover a few charge weights on each side of the node and for a “target shooter” the choice is pretty clear. It has zero to do with packaging that’s for SURE !
 
The box size is very inconvenient for me. I store my primers on a shelf in my safe and I can store more than twice as many primers from other manufacturers in a given space than I can Federal. If I didn’t like Federal so much I wouldn’t own a single box of them simply do to the packaging.
 
Targa said:
If I didn’t like Federal so much I wouldn’t own a single box of them simply do to the packaging.
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Well, if you didn’t like Federal so much you wouldn’t buy them regardless of how they’re packaged.

I won’t buy anymore Winchester primers because they’re undersized, prone to leaking gas and cutting bolt faces. They come in a small package.

As long as the package delivers it’s contents safely and in good quality it has served its purpose
 
I have used Federal Primers. In fact I have a couple thousand LPP. They are just another brand of primer to me. I have read of their softness but they run fine through my 550C. There is a lot of unnecessary drama associated with Federal Primers. When I got my first I was half afraid of them. Federals are good primers.
 
How many of those that piss and moan about how federal packages their primers actually test for what primer is best in their load.

It’s always the last step in my load development process…..

B0ZgllK.jpg

My chief complaint with federal has been lack of availability, not their packaging.
 
Nature Boy said:
How many of those that piss and moan about how federal packages their primers actually test for what primer is best in their load.

It’s always the last step in my load development process…..

View attachment 1150049

My chief complaint with federal has been lack of availability, not their packaging.
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I’m not a “precision shooter” but all of my load development - regardless of platform, be it a snubby revolver, pocket automatic, lever carbine or bolt rifle - includes trying each type and brand of primer I have with different powder combinations to match what works best with the bullet/gu to a powder/primer combo. When my store room got converted into a water feature I lost all the binders with that info. That hurt but really it just means I start over - again - shooting loads and scribbling notes. But to the point, yes, all load development should include trying every possible combination of primer, powder, projectile and case.
 
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