Differences between Federal value pack .22LR loads?

[Rubber_Duck]

Hello everyone,

I used to think the different sizes of Federal bulk .22 was the same ammo in different packaging but the “Load Number” is different on all of them despite all three having identical ballistic info (bullet grain, velocity, bullet drop, etc.). It’s in the fine print.

Does anyone have any insider info on what the differences are between loads 725, 745, and 790?

Thanks.

 

[FROGO207]

I took it to mean that they were loaded at different times on different machines. Not specifically a lot number but a packaging/carton code if you will. They are all from different points in time spanning about 15 years from seeing them on the shelves at WM.

 

[Deus Machina]

Wish I could help, and I'm going to be following.
The only thing I can say is that the top box (725) is my usual, in large part because they fit well in my dedicated .22LR can.
That said, I've had a few boxes, and at least one of them (I have one or two unopened) wasn't like the others. The hollowpoints are less consistent, IIRC the bullets are a little more rounded, and definitely darker and showing just a little corrosion. The base on those rounds is also stamped with the CCI 'C', not Federal's usual marks.

 

[milemaker13]

I'd have to dig out my notes but I had noticed a differance between the red and blue. One was markedly less reliable in cycling auto loaders than the other.

 

[Labguy47]

Red and top are pretty much the same, blue seems to be hit or miss and definitely more smokey. I believe the biggest differences are in the powder.

 

[RodII]

As mentioned I would say loaded on different machines, different days, and different lots of components. If you think about it they are going to produce ammo with the lowest cost per round. You do this by finding a load that does what you spec and producing it in volume. It would not make any business sense to continually be changing over from one recipe to another.

 

[sota]

I consider
FED725
FED745
FED750
FED787
788BF
to be the same ammo, just different packaging. Never seen FED790 though.

here's a prior post of mine on the subject.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/best-and-worst-bulk-22lr.848296/page-2#post-11066056

Also I just did some digging, and Federal's site now only shows 3 choices: blue box (525), bucket (1375), and bottle (450). That's not to imply other packaging isn't done by them on a customer request basis, I guess.

 

[Axis II]

In my experience even the same type of federal is hit or miss. During the shortage I purchased 4-5 packs of auto match and one box was flawless with minute of squirrel head accuracy at 50yards while another box some had a louder crack than others and would print a 3 inch group at 50yards. I now wait for midway and other suppliers to put CCI standard velocity on sale and buy that in bricks.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

These are all new boxes of ammo purchased in the last couple weeks. I don’t believe the load number has anything to do with what machine put the ammo in the box.

 

[Axis II]

These are all new boxes of ammo purchased in the last couple weeks. I don’t believe the load number has anything to do with what machine put the ammo in the box.

Yes, but just because they were all purchased within the last few weeks doesn't mean they haven't been sitting in a warehouse for who knows how long. One box could be 2months old and another 2yrs old.