[Steelharp]

Regarding my recent post (Bullets, is this normal? http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82436 ), here is my correspondence with the folks at Federal ammo:
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Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 5:39 AM
To: Federal Product Service
Subject: .45 question


Sirs: I have a box (since discarded) of Federal .45 JHP ammo that I have loaded into my magazines here at the house. I have had several rounds of this ammo that the bullet has pushed down into the cartridge upon
chambering. (See attached photo.) Is this normal? I have been told this is a really bad thing by some of my friends. I would like your opinion, and advice on what I should do.

Thank you, Michael ******tte
----------------------------
Loading and/or unloading pistol ammo in clips will often do this.

We would be more than happy to examine them for you to see if they were
crimped properly.Send them to us Via UPS to:

FCC
Product Service Dept
900 Ehlen Drive
Anoka, Minnesota
55303
att: Ron Ives

Please inform us of:

1.Make and model Firearm

2.Load and lot number of the ammo

3.Shipping costs as we will reimburse you.
--------------------------
Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 2004 4:06 PM
To: Ives, Ron
Subject: RE: .45 question


Mr. Ives,

Thank you for your swift reply. Unfortunately, the box for that ammo is long gone. It was purchased last summer. I have no way of giving you the load and lot number. I can tell you this particular round came from my Kimber Custom Classic. I only saw it happen on one other firearm I used to own, a Wilson KZ-45 Compact. I appreciate your offer, but I only have one mag's worth of the ammo left. I think the most important thing is that you are aware of the situation, and that this happened with only one chambering of the ammo. Your company is certainly one of the most respected in the business, and with good reason. I will continue to purchase Federal product. Everybody makes an occasional error.

Thank you, Michael ******tte
------------------------------
Mr. ******tte

You do not have to have this type of problem. Your word is enough for us, send me your UPS delivery address and I will send you 2 boxes of replacement.
-------------------------------
Mr. Ives,

What can I say? Your generosity, while unnecessary, is appreciated immensely. My address is:

(Deleted)

As I said before, I will continue to purchase Federal product, and I assure you, I will tell all my shooting friends about your unbelieveable customer service.

Thanks so much, and kindest regards,
Michael ******tte

These folks are great... I am impressed.

Mikey D...

[45King]

They're going to give you two boxes of replacement ammo because some of yours suffered setback (probably due to being rechambered one too many times)? Now that IS good customer service!

Any cartridge that is repeatedly chambered into a semi-auto will eventually suffer bullet setback, regardless of brand.

[Steelharp]

45King... IF you'll read the original post, you WILL see that this happened with ONE, count 'em, ONE chambering...

You're so broke, you can't even pay attention, right? :rolleyes:

Mikey D...

[critter]

I bought a NEW Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt and at the same time, I bought a box of Federal 255 gr LSWC ammo for it. I liked the Fed brass to use for reloads when loading to top-end loads. I immediately took it to the range-gun and new box of ammo. On about the 12th round, it fired normally but was HARD to extract one case. Upon extraction, it was split from neck nearly to the rim. The split looked like it had taken place early as the case was melted along both sides of the split.

I sent it back to Fed along with all the info from the box along with a letter of explanation and pointing out that they might be interested in the failure and the reason. They sent a reply that they had analyzed the case and it had apparantly been exposed, at some time, to some chemical which had caused weakening of the brass.

They also sent me two boxes of replacement ammo. I thought it was very good product support and it was done in a very timely manner. Good ammo-good company as far as I am concerned.

[Carlos Cabeza]

I have had the same thing happen but never thought to call mfg. customer service ! (mental note to self). Don't be too hard on the .45King, sometimes if you "ride the slide" you will get some setback regardless of the make of gun, mfg. of ammo, number of chamberings etc.

[armoredman]

On the other hand, I had a Winchester WinClean round disintegrate upon extraction, putting a huge chip in my saftey glasses. Winchester picked up the remaing rounds, and told me they worked just fine, and NEVER GAVE ME A THING, not even to replace the rounds they took! I try not to buy Wichester too much, now.
Federal looks like they want my business....

[Jason Demond]

I had the same problem, but they couldn't care less! That's one of the reasons I don't buy Federal ammo anymore.:fire:

[Dionysusigma]

I buy milsurp. :p

Seriously, though, that's some good customer service. I guess I'm fortunate in the fact that I've not had a problem with any ammo (save some terrible .22lr from some no-name company, can't remember who now) ever. I think I might just treat my AK to some American Eagle 7.62x39. :)

[BluesBear]

I have always found that Federal and CCI/Speer (now all owned by ATK) had, by far, the best customer service of any ammo company.