Off the shelf cheap brass, which one.

mohr308 · February 4, 2013, 12:00 PM

If you had to choose between Winchester or Federal brass for you're .223/5.56 which would you take?

TATER · February 4, 2013, 12:08 PM

Winchester.

j357 · February 4, 2013, 12:14 PM

Winchester. From several searches in the past, I think you will find this to be the majority recommendation of the two.

mohr308 · February 4, 2013, 12:26 PM

Thanks!

mohr308 · February 4, 2013, 12:40 PM

What's the drawback of federal? I ordered both, just to stock up. I guess I can always sell the Federal

4runnerman · February 4, 2013, 12:41 PM

What's the drawback of federal? I ordered both, just to stock up

Federal-Primer pockets go to crap way to fast. Winchester all the way

mohr308 · February 4, 2013, 12:50 PM

Good info to know! I load all my current ammo with LC, just figured I would order some other brass because I could find it. I had a supply for New LC @ $18 per 100, but when I went back it was gone. Everything is gone!

Ifishsum · February 4, 2013, 11:10 PM

I've not had that problem with Federal brass in other cartridges, is that mainly a .223 thing? Lately I've found Winchester brass to be inconsistent - case necks looked like they were cut an an angle. I had to trim several batches of new brass undersized just to even out the necks. Either way, if you need brass these days you gotta take what you can get I guess.

kraigwy · February 5, 2013, 01:34 PM

Go to a high power match when they shoot a lot of 223s. Walk down the line checking the ammo of the better shooters.

You'll find most of them use Winchester brass.

4runnerman · February 5, 2013, 02:18 PM

^^^^^^^ Yupper--That's what I see. Not the only one I see,but by far the most common

**Unclenick** · February 5, 2013, 04:49 PM

The issue with Federal is being on the soft side. Works fine with loads that are on the mild side, and it holds up well in common handgun chamberings for that reason, but not so great with full house high power rifle loads. Unfortunately I've heard of a couple of lots of Winchester from over the last couple of years that were also soft like Federal. Possibly a consequence of moving the manufacturing facility. Nonetheless, I'd favor the Winchester unless you knew that particular lot had an issue.

Edward429451 · February 5, 2013, 04:50 PM

Winchester. The Federal is junk IMO also. Save your money.

medalguy · February 6, 2013, 01:47 AM

Winnie every time. I've also had problems with Federal, most recently in .308. Soft soft soft.

February 4, 2013, 12:00 PM	#1
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	Off the shelf cheap brass, which one. If you had to choose between Winchester or Federal brass for you're .223/5.56 which would you take? __________________ Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!

February 4, 2013, 12:26 PM	#4
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	Thanks! __________________ Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!

February 4, 2013, 12:40 PM	#5
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	What's the drawback of federal? I ordered both, just to stock up. I guess I can always sell the Federal __________________ Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!

February 4, 2013, 12:41 PM	#6
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	What's the drawback of federal? I ordered both, just to stock up Federal-Primer pockets go to crap way to fast. Winchester all the way __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 4, 2013, 12:50 PM	#7
mohr308 Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2012 Location: Western New York Posts: 466	Good info to know! I load all my current ammo with LC, just figured I would order some other brass because I could find it. I had a supply for New LC @ $18 per 100, but when I went back it was gone. Everything is gone! __________________ Lock and load, the zombies (democrats) are coming (to take your guns)!

February 4, 2013, 12:08 PM	#2
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	Winchester.

February 4, 2013, 12:14 PM	#3
j357 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2009 Location: Liberty Twp, OH Posts: 283	Winchester. From several searches in the past, I think you will find this to be the majority recommendation of the two.

February 4, 2013, 11:10 PM	#8
Ifishsum Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,033	I've not had that problem with Federal brass in other cartridges, is that mainly a .223 thing? Lately I've found Winchester brass to be inconsistent - case necks looked like they were cut an an angle. I had to trim several batches of new brass undersized just to even out the necks. Either way, if you need brass these days you gotta take what you can get I guess.

February 5, 2013, 01:34 PM	#9
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Go to a high power match when they shoot a lot of 223s. Walk down the line checking the ammo of the better shooters. You'll find most of them use Winchester brass. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 5, 2013, 02:18 PM	#10
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	^^^^^^^ Yupper--That's what I see. Not the only one I see,but by far the most common __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 5, 2013, 04:49 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	The issue with Federal is being on the soft side. Works fine with loads that are on the mild side, and it holds up well in common handgun chamberings for that reason, but not so great with full house high power rifle loads. Unfortunately I've heard of a couple of lots of Winchester from over the last couple of years that were also soft like Federal. Possibly a consequence of moving the manufacturing facility. Nonetheless, I'd favor the Winchester unless you knew that particular lot had an issue. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 5, 2013, 04:50 PM	#12
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Winchester. The Federal is junk IMO also. Save your money.

February 6, 2013, 01:47 AM	#13
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	Winnie every time. I've also had problems with Federal, most recently in .308. Soft soft soft.

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