Federal once fired brass is what I use mostly these days since I can no longer import LC brass..
I use it for 6.5/260 up to .358..
Have also resized and trimmed to 6.5 & 6mm Creed before I was able to get some factory brass..
I generally start off testing loads up to and past max. book loads..
When I get to what "I" consider max load in my rifle I fire 10+ loads from the same brass to see if the primer pockets enlarge to the point they are unuseable..
I also anneal the case once or twice during the testing..
Case in point recently loaded a .308 up to 3 grains past book max using Alliant 2000-MR under a 185gr Berger Juggernaut..
Fired 12 times and the case is still useable but retired to a dummy round for die adjustment with the same bullet..
Rounded primers, very little primer cratering, no stiff bolt lift, and "very little carbon blow back on the neck"**
** that is what I am looking for..
To the OP, you must have gotten some very poor or overused Fed. brass..
The primer just fall out with the slightest wiggle.
Something very fishy about the primers "just falling out"..
Last edited by Nrut; 09/17/19.
