Federal Bulk Pack, Yikes!

[cajun0007]

I was shooting a 3G match this past Sunday and I had failures on every shotgun stage with my Benelli M2. After completely blowing every stage with the shotgun, someone said that I should check out my shotgun ammo (why didn't I think of that). I was using Federal 7.5, 1 1/8, 3 dram, 2 3/4" from Wally World. Well, below is a picture of one of the shells found in the box I was using. This is not the only messed up shell I found in the box but it was the worst. That is the last time that I ever use the cheap stuff in a match again. Lesson learned.

[Vermilion]

Heh, looks like the shell is made out of playdough.

[The_Vigilante]

It might be a worth a call to Federal to bring this to their attention. It's up to you

[Trail3]

I have put over 1000 rounds of the Federal from Wal-Mart thru my M2 Salient without a problem. But for the Multi Gun Nationals I am using Winchester AA. Thanks for posting this, I will look at my Federal shells a lot closer.

Edited October 6, 2011 by Trail3

[outerlimits]

Yep-we've been there, done that. For a few bucks more , winchester AA or remington STS.

[HOA]

I shot sporting clays at a high level for many years. Never, would any serious shooter use low quality ammo in a major match. You spend thousands on equipment and want to save $2.00 on shells? Doesn't make sense. Winchester AA Super Handicap or Remington Nitro.

[Chills1994]

for a little while longer now, you can get back 2 bucks per box of Winchester AA shells:

http://www.winchester.com/library/special-offers/Pages/2011-AA-Promotion.aspx

naturally there are all sorts of stipulations like you gotta cut the UPC barcodes from the box, you have to send in the original receipt, the deadline is Nov 15th, and it is only good for up to 50 boxes of shells per household.

I buy my AA shells from Wally World. They are running $7.57 per box for the 12 gauge. So with the $2 rebate it knocks it down to $5.57, which is either less or right around the same prices as the el cheapo bulk Federal packs.

[twodownzero]

My gun won't run with anything in a 100-pack. I'm glad it won't after seeing this.

I get a great deal from Grafs on Estate shells.

[Chills1994]

yeah, I am looking at the Graf's dealer website now, and I'm seeing 10 boxes for $49.99, so 5 bucks a box.

[prreed10]

Same feeding problems for me & my M2 with the Federal bulk pack. I ran 6 boxes in practice without any problems. First match, I had 3 failures to feed. I switched to AA's and havn't had a problem since.

[Corey]

I had similar problems with bulk pack ammo at the Pro-Am, altho Im not 100% whether it was ammo or lifter related (lifter has been fixed). Either way, I'm not taking chances and from now on, cheap stuff for practice and maybe local matches, AAs for majors.

[cas]

Okay I'm colorblind and on my phone do I could be way off, but that doesn't look like the right color to me for Federal bulk pack. (It's not Winchester?)

[cajun0007]

It's Federal maron colored casing. The flash on the camera makes it look red but it isn't.

[R-Bros_JLR]

I've actually had great luck so far with the Remington bulk pack from Wally World out of my FN....not so good of luck with it running the Winchester bulk though for some reason. If you can find a place that sells Estate stuff (ie. Cabelas) I'd go that route though as they seem to be a much better option and run about the same price per case.

[Vermilion]

My 1100 will run the super cheap bulk stuff right after a fresh clean and lube. But after about 50-75 shells the empty ends up getting stuck against the ejection port.

[DyNo!]

Wal-Mart stuff for locals and Fiocchi stuff for majors is my rule.

[highxj]

I've actually had great luck so far with the Remington bulk pack from Wally World out of my FN....

Same here with the M2. The Remington WM stuff seems a little better quality (amazingly enough) than the Fed or Win. The crimps seem more consistent and better formed for good feeding.

[cas]

Wal-Mart stuff for locals and Fiocchi stuff for majors is my rule.

Mine too. Which means all I shoot is Wal-Mart stuff.

[KentG]

I still like Estate and will buy it by the case.

[aheadofthecurve]

The remington bulk pack from walmart seems to be way better than the federal bulk pack.

[eringobragh]

I'm assuming that your lifter has been welded up?

I was having the exact same problem after mine was welded. I put a 10* bend on the tip of the lifter per a thread by KurtM. Runs 100% now. The welded lifter is longer and was pushing the nose of the shells too high.

[EkuJustice]

Never had any problem with the 100 round value packs from federal. Alot of times I will use the $4.77 1oz loads without issue. Winchester seems to be the worst of the value pack. Gun is a remington 1100.

I have seen bad batches of ammo in every single one of the major ammo companies premium or not from time to time. I had some AA 410 shells that had plastic flashing over the primer which caused duds.

Easy fix on the hull problems is examine the shells before you use them

Edited October 7, 2011 by EkuJustice

[ziebart]

I have a Winchester SX3 and my shotgun choked on the Winchester bulk pack. Runs great on Federal and Remington. If I had to feed it AA for it to work I would have sent it back. If I shot big matches ya throw down for the good stuff. Just make sure the gun will work with it before its too late.

ETA you should always check the ammo before loading it. I have had some crimps so loose the bb's were falling out.

Edited October 7, 2011 by ziebart

[THM7]

+1 on the Remington. Much better quality......I run them in my S12 with no issues.

[midget]

I have had the exact same thing happen... I also have a problem with the crimp ballooning on the federal shells... I've switched to Winchester from Walmart...