Federal 325 Bulk Pack ammo, failures?

[wjh2657]

Has anybody else had problems with the Federal 325 pack Bulk Match ammo 40 gr solid point? I purchase Lot# 1BW424 at Walmart a couple of months ago and fired some yesterday at the indoor range in my S&W 317, First let us dispense with the "gunsmithed to hell" argument. Weapon is completely stock, springs and all. It fires other .22 ammo without a hiccup. On 18 out of 100 shots fired, I got "phfffffft" instead of "bang!" Primers all fired and bullet almost dropped out of barrel (2" barrel btw) and barely had energy to penetrate paper at 10 yards. I shoot CBs at home all the time and they are on primer alone and hit a whole lot harder. It felt and sounded like a "super slow burn" of the powder. Bullets were all fresh out of the box and haven't been exposed to any external elements (solvents, oil, etc.)

I weigh all of my big bore ammo (.38Spl and .40S&W)but this is the first time I have had to call rimfire ammo to the line. Before I start tearing ammo apart and weighing charges (which may prove futile as it feels and sounds more like powder condition or composition than weight) I just wanted to see if anybody else has had problems with this ammo?

[Westwindmike]

I would contact Federal. They will probably replace them at no charge to you.

[Guest Spuds]

Put some in my range bag last week to try with a Walther P22 and Unique D6, but never made it to the range. May try soon.

I have "more than a few" of these 325 round brix and won't be too happy if they perform as you've related.

[MacGyver]

I had a similar failure last range trip with a Federal bulk pack from Wal-Mart. Didn't notice any slow burns, but a lot of failures to fire. Good strong primer strike on all rounds - shot from 4 different stock weapons. Probably 25% of the rounds failed to fire. I've always had good luck with the Federal bulk packs. This one was a dud, though.

[R1100R]

I am using some federal 550 bulk pack that I got at wal-Mart here at Ft. Jackson

and for the first time it is the only brand that has ever worked in all my .22 auto's (9 of them).

From 50 yo high standards to berettas. It is 36 gr though.

[wjh2657]

I weighed ammo (100 rounds). There was a standard deviation of .25 gr (very low SD) and the range from the mean/median was less than .3 gr for the low rounds. The ammo was very uniform by weight. Due to the uniform weight and the fact that the primers did fire, I suspect the problem is in the composition or condition of the powder. If that is the case, then there is no way of culling bad rounds. I have marked the box and put it on the bottom of the ammo box. I guess I'll have to fire off my Winchester target/range ammo, as hard as it it is to replace.

[ftncityfatboy]

i've had troubles with Winchester 555 packs, no auto ejects, just stays in the pistol. change ammo, no problem, back to Wchester, same deal, some fires, some don't. Federal, Remy, eats it up.....hummmm

[Guest SUNTZU]

I just bought 3500 rounds at Walmart last night. I hope to have no phhhhts out of them.

[Guest abailey362]

i got a couple of the small packs and haven't had any issues so far

[Oh Shoot]

Is it the same bullet as in the Federal 550 packs they sold for a good while?

36 gr, copper plated, very small diameter hollow point, just has an F on back?

- OS

Edited August 14, 2009 by OhShoot

[Guest Rem_700]

I've bought 2 packs and they don't feed good at all in my 10/22, getting jams & stovepipes seems like every few shots.

[Guest abailey362]

Is it the same bullet as in the Federal 550 packs they sold for a good while?

36 gr, copper plated, very small diameter hollow point, just has an F on back?

- OS

they sell it as a "match grade" i think. The price is same or a little more than the 550 box. I haven't compared the 2 to each other so not sure of the exact differences

[Guest 1817ak47]

federal 325 round automatch. 40 grain solid point lead unplated bullet

federal 550 bulk 36 grain copper coated hollow point

we never have had problems with federal ammo after 1,000's of rounds.

nowthe remington bulk we will sometime get 3 dead ones in a 25 round mag. I pulled the bullet heads off with a pliers and only to find there was no primer in the rim. I have even had some that I pulled the trigger and hear a click........bang or a delayed fire.

now I have 11 boxes of that rem stuff that I can't seem to sell to anyone