[Hrdnox]

I tend to hoard 9mm ammo when I can find it and I like to buy Federal at $9.47 a box. I go to a couple of Wally Worlds and noticed something a while back. I was getting them in Ridgeland and the ammo was scarred up a bunch. Actually looked like it had been tumbled after it was loaded, leaving the bullet end really dimpled. I didn't worry too much about it, because I've never had a problem with them feeding or firing. A little while back, I picked up 5 boxes from the Madison WalMart and they were markedly different. The bullets were perfect and shiny all over. When I got them home, I discovered they were in a smaller box with a different holder. They shot good, too. Anyways, if I had the choice, I'd pick the nicer ones for my auto loaders, just because it makes sense. I haven't quite gotten so anal that I measure the boxes just yet, but the thought has run through my head. I'm always pleased when I get home and discover I've found the nice ones. When I had my 45, I picked up a couple of boxes from the Ridgeland Walmart and discovered the same thing with them. I got one small box of the nice loads and another large box that looked like a child had gone to work on them with a hammer. Both fed and shot just fine, but I still prefer the cleaner loads. Anyways, just an observation that might be useful.

 

[Subsonix]

I have several boxes of 9mm here, so I went and looked.

The Federal Champion from wally world here in Hattiesburg is like you described. Dented up, but functions fine. Several of the cases in the box I am looking at have a light scratch halfway around them from the reloading machine as well.

For comparison, WWB is bright and shiny with no blemishes. Independence and Fiocchi are identical to Federal, and Blazer Brass is worst of all with lots of deep dents and gouges.

They all go bang and have decent accuracy if I do my part, so I don't worry about it. Actually, I would probably have never noticed the blemishes if not for this thread, lol.

 

[Hrdnox]

Yeah, I don't know if matters or not, unless you happen to have a picky gun. I've never experienced the first misfire with any Federal ammo, period. I have heard of folks having problem with WWB, though. I used to have a PF9 that seemed willing to shoot anything I put through it. It even shot misfires from other guns. But, the PF9 seems to generally have problems with it. There were several theories over on KTOG forums. Most seemed to think WWB had inconsistent AOL, what ever that is. I'm sure the reloaders would know, but all I could figure was that some were a little too long for the guns. I'm glad none of my guns are that choosey. Another load that comes on sale from time to time is Academy Sports Monarch. Everyone I talk to says it's junk, but I've shot several thousand rounds without any problems at all. It's a little dirtier than I like, but it always goes bang.

I like Federal for the price and performance. When grocery shopping, I usually slip back to sporting goods and pick up a couple of boxes, whether I need them or not. I usually don't, but you can never have too much ammo, can you? When I go to the range, I usually get rid of several hundred rounds at a time. I guess I find it theraputic and I can't afford a real therapist, so it works well for me. I always feel better after a range trip. I guess I take out all my frustrations there. Prolly much better than taking them out on the people that frustrate me, right?

Anyways, I certainly wasn't knocking Federal ammo at all. It's my favorite, banged up or not.

 

[jbpmidas]

If it goes bang and lead flies, who cares? That's my opinion anyway!

 

[TomBomb]

I just came in from shooting 2 boxes of the Federal Champion 9mm..... Taurus and FNX ate every round.... I picked up nearly all the brass and didn't notice it being too out of shape or beat up...got me thinking now, so going to look.....OK, I see some scratches and some marks.... But it did shoot perfectly....

 

[dhollis51]

I have noticed the two different size boxes but haven't noticed the banged up ones but will check next time at dads. they have always worked perfect for me.

 

[Xd357]

The federal champion is a plated bullet not fmj. That is proably why it gets a little banged up as it's thinner then the fmj. I shoot it and like it for plinking but its not bullseye quality ammo.