Federal Ammo Quality

[giggitygiggity]

I bought a box of Federal Power Shok 7mm Rem Mag yesterday from Walmart. I returned home, opened the box, and was appalled by the quality of the ammunition as the brass appears to be corroded/rusty. I do not know how this passed QC.

Is it ridiculous that I think that this is unacceptable?

I am not bashing Federal as manufacturers have issues and the gun industry is usually pretty good to their customers when issues arise. I emailed Federal about it. I'll keep you posted as to what they say and do. Hopefully, they make it right.

 

[Robert]

Wow, that is pretty bad.

 

[Bama59]

That is bad looks like it wet damaged freight no telling how long it sat in a trailer . I deliver to Walmart Distribution Centers and they have been jammed full of loaded trailers for several months.

 

[Hartkopf]

I haven’t had any problems with Federal and that might be a secondary problem like condensation from temperature changes in storage.

Winchester is on my spit list though. I’m done with them for a while.

 

[DustyGmt]

A few specks don't bother me, but that is some pretty haggard looking brass.... I've bought stuff like that before but maybe not quite that bad. It all shot just fine though.

 

[1942bull]

I have been using Federal ammo for over a decade, and I have never seen a round that had even 1% of the corrosion in the OP photos. I suspect that the rounds were warehoused improperly in a damp environment. I wonder if the box had any sign of water damage.

 

[gobsauce]

I have been using Federal ammo for over a decade, and I have never seen a round that had even 1% of the corrosion in the OP photos. I suspect that the rounds were warehoused improperly in a damp environment. I wonder if the box had any sign of water damage.

I was gonna say, that does look more like shipping/storage damage.

I get that the brands label sorta feels like you should blame them, but it honest to God looks like Walmart is at fault here.

 

[DustyGmt]

The Federal Fusion I've got in the past has been pretty ugly looking.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I'll go with moisture damage too. I did notice a change with there 22 auto match. Pe-covid production vs newer stuff. It has less velocity. You can hear it in the report. And it hits lower on the target. I been wanting to check the old vs new on the chronograph too.

 

[deputy bruce]

I will say my 2cents worth.I got a box of remington brass the same way.I was upset at remington but I have worked with cardboard long enought to know that the process of making the stuff is made with acid.I think it was not the qc but the cardboard might have been the fault.

 

[.308 Norma]

I do not know how this passed QC.

I was gonna say, that does look more like shipping/storage damage.

I'm with gobsauce. I think it probably "passed QC" before it was shipped/stored somewhere where it shouldn't have been.

 

[BigAlShooter]

I bought some Winchester Ranger 40SW ammo a decade or more ago that looked like those. It was like 28 cent a round and I think was law enforcement overrun or returns or something like that. Every one of them has shot well and I still have a lot of it left that still shoots good now. Probably nothing wrong with it except for tarnish. But, if you paid a premium for premium ammo, I'd at least notify Federal and ask what they can do.

 

[Zerodefect]

Its likely old as heck. Walmart quit firearms here. Got wet in the truck or at the store.

I'll bet itll shoot fine. Federal is good stuff.

My carry ammo turns green almost.

 

[jmr40]

That is their budget ammo for one thing.

See if you can find out when it was made. There will be a lot number on the box, but you may have to call Federal to determine when it was made. Walmart buys merchandise by the truck load and it isn't uncommon for some stuff to sit in storage for years before being sold. I've seen guns in racks that were 10+ years old.

At any rate it is only cosmetic and won't hurt a thing.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I have been using Federal ammo for over a decade, and I have never seen a round that had even 1% of the corrosion in the OP photos. I suspect that the rounds were warehoused improperly in a damp environment. I wonder if the box had any sign of water damage.

The box is just fine. No signs of any water damage to the box. That said, condensation from poorly controlled storage environments might have contributed while leaving the box looking fine.

 

[giggitygiggity]

That is their budget ammo for one thing.

See if you can find out when it was made. There will be a lot number on the box, but you may have to call Federal to determine when it was made. Walmart buys merchandise by the truck load and it isn't uncommon for some stuff to sit in storage for years before being sold. I've seen guns in racks that were 10+ years old.

At any rate it is only cosmetic and won't hurt a thing.

I included the lot number in my email to Federal. I’m not sure when it was made. I know that it appeared on the ammo shelf within the pst two weeks. Of course, it could have been manufactured well before then and it sat around for a while.

I reload so I mainly bought the ammo for brass after I shoot off the factory loadings, but the brass (the part I am most interested in) is abysmal.

 

[Sniper66]

Likely to shoot just fine. Or see if you can get your money back and buy something else.

 

[Ignition Override]

Where did Walmart store that ammo? In a small warehouse (or outer retail area) with no air conditioning?

 

[JARV1S]

Agreed with above posts regarding moisture damage. Probably a result of the long pegged trailers that sat waiting to be loaded/unloaded when they first shut things down and ever since. Just out of curiosity - can a more experienced member comment if they think this type of corrosion would be safe to just tumble to clean up a bit and then shoot? Just curious for general knowledge.

 

[1942bull]

The box is just fine. No signs of any water damage to the box. That said, condensation from poorly controlled storage environments might have contributed while leaving the box looking fine.

I think that because the box is ok it indicated it indicates extreme damp as in humid storage conditions. No way Federal would risk a stellar reputation by improperly storing ammo.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I would throw it in the tumbler for 30 mins. Dry tumble that is. And no it wont break down the powder.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I'll go with moisture damage too. I did notice a change with there 22 auto match. Pe-covid production vs newer stuff. It has less velocity. You can hear it in the report. And it hits lower on the target. I been wanting to check the old vs new on the chronograph too.

A little less powder equals a little less overhead, and I’m sure they’ll pass those savings onto the consumer (NOT).

 

[gifbohane]

Walmart probably bought it on the secondary market. These w&*4^s buy cheap goods anywhere and that is why their prices are moderate.

 

[Seedy Character]

I suspect a Wally Wawa storage and handling problem, NOT a Federal QC problem.

They should should fine.
Run brass through tumbler. They will probably clean up fine.

 

[Ignition Override]

gifbohane:
WalMart might be cheaper than the illustrious company known as "Cheaper Than Dirt".

We learned, while our crew stayed near Fayetteville Airport, that WalMart exploited the anxiety after 9/11.

They forced all of their overseas suppliers to put offices - physically - in the Bentonville/Fayetteville area.
The pretext was to be on the bandwagon of "Is it safe to fly overseas?", while using that merely as a way to limit travel and reduce overhead costs.