Federal "Champion" vs. Blazer Brass

[Chris A.]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum, and new to a M&P 9mm (picking it up Friday). From what I have read so far around the WWW, both Federal "Champion" 115 gr (WalMart) and Blazer Brass 115 gr. both seem to be about the same.

I was wondering if anyone here has a strong preference over either. The difference in my town is about $3, and these days every penny counts.

Thanks for any replies.

 

[agksimon]

I have a M&P9c and find the WWW to shoot the tightest groups of the three you mentioned.
All of them have been 100% reliable in mine.

 

[GaryM&P]

I have found Federal and Blazer to be WAY more reliable than WWW.

 

[marc05]

I believe the OP was talking about Federal vs Blazer Brass. The WWW he is referring to is the world wide web. I for one will shoot anything over WWB (Winchester White Box), it is way too dirty. Keep in mind I shoot .40 S&W.

 

[hberttmank]

I shoot about all of them, I can't tell any difference between Federal Champion and Blazer Brass.

 

[5906fan]

winny 'white box' and standard 'target/plinking' grade remmy green box are both sooty loads IME.
blazer is a notch better.

 

[SWMod10]

I have found WWB, in the last couple of years, to be spotty, quality wise.

Under-powered rounds, a few out right squibs and less than desirable accuracy. Not mention very dirty.

The Remington Green box has been more reliable and consistent than the WWB...it too is sooty, but not nearly as bad as WWB.

I wish I could find the Blazer...most if not all of my local stores stopped carrying it.

 

[Chris A.]

Thanks, everyone. I have always stayed away from WWB for the reasons mentioned here and elsewhere. Looks like right now I will shoot Blazer Brass or Federal "Champion". I was just concerned that "Champion" at $10/box at my local WM was too good to be true.

 

[M29since14]

I always seem to prefer Federal stuff. I am not sure how much of their competitively priced ammunition is still entirely U.S. made. Probably best if I don't know.

I have bought more than a few boxes of Federal Champion 9mm, .40SW, and .45 Auto at Walmart over the last few months and have not noticed any deterioration from the usual standards. The last time I tested the 115-gr FMJ 9mm stuff (a couple weeks ago) I was very pleased with the target.

 

[marc05]

Heck I even shoot USPSA with Federal Champion. Just look out for accumulated brass in the striker channel, that caused me a few light primer hits. Cleaned the channel and not a problem since.

 

[bluzman]

Thanks, everyone. I have always stayed away from WWB for the reasons mentioned here and elsewhere. Looks like right now I will shoot Blazer Brass or Federal "Champion". I was just concerned that "Champion" at $10/box at my local WM was too good to be true.

I've put about 500 rounds of Federal Champion from Walmart through my new M&P 9FS - no issues at all.

 

[firebirdude]

I LOVE the Federals. An absolute STEAL from WalMart.

 

[paperboy98]

What is "Champion"

I LOVE the Federals. An absolute STEAL from WalMart.

Exactly what is the difference/makeup of the "Federal Champion" round? Gander Mtn. had a good price on .40 S&W so I bought some yesterday. Haven't shot it before.
paperboy98

 

[josh8042]

WWB = UMC = Fed Champ = Blazer Brass

Personally, I haven't found any major differences. They're all a little dirty, but I have never experienced any reliability issues with any of them. I prefer to shoot Winchester Ranger NATO FMJ though. It's not much more expensive when you order online (maybe a couple pennies more per round after you add in shipping). I certainly don't mind shooting the cheaper stuff, but if I can get hotter and cleaner loads for close to the same price, then it's kind of no brainer.

 

[kenster]

I LOVE the Federals. An absolute STEAL from WalMart.

Prefer the Federals...Champion or American Eagle
Blazers shot fine, found them to be more dirty.

 

[Chris A.]

Put 150 rounds of Blazer Brass through my new M&P9 yesterday at the range. Not one problem, accurate, though fairly sooty, but not impossible to clean. Brought the Federal "Champs" but didn't get around to shooting them.

Next time.

Thanks for the comments here so far.

 

[S&W Rover]

I find them all about the same. Federal seems to be a touch cleaner than the others. I will shoot any/all of them, and price is the primary factor in my choice on any given day.

The real question is whether to use Russian steel ammo -- Wal-Mart has TulAmmo for about $1.25 less than its Federal (which inexplicably went up from $8.97 to $10.47 when the ammo crisis eased). Not to hijack the thread with the classic Russian/Steel Ammo question (the consensus -- over many threads -- is the Russian stuff is a bit dirtier and the steel shells won't hurt your M&P, although occasionally people enter an opposing opinion that it is terrible for your pistol, the lacquer finish gums up the chamber, etc.).

Bottom line, when buying range ammo, I buy on price. When buying defense ammo, I buy on performance.

 

[josh8042]

The real question is whether to use Russian steel ammo -- Wal-Mart has TulAmmo for about $1.25 less than its Federal (which inexplicably went up from $8.97 to $10.47 when the ammo crisis eased). Not to hijack the thread with the classic Russian/Steel Ammo question (the consensus -- over many threads -- is the Russian stuff is a bit dirtier and the steel shells won't hurt your M&P, although occasionally people enter an opposing opinion that it is terrible for your pistol, the lacquer finish gums up the chamber, etc.).

I believe the steel cases wear out your extractor and ejector faster. It's not worth it to save 2.5 cents a round. If it were a bigger difference in price then I wouldn't mind using it anyway.