USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- After a brief hiatus, Federal Ammunition reintroduces several centerfire rifle rounds loaded with bullets from Barnes and Nosler, plus expands options from Sierra, Berger and more.
In 1977, Federal Ammunition created its Premium line of centerfire rifle ammunition. In doing so, the company did something that was unheard of at the time.
Rather than just load its own bullets into its centerfire rifle and handgun cartridges, Federal began using the top projectiles from companies across the industry and loading them to its own extremely tight specifications. For example, Federal’s initial 1977 loads were manufactured using Nosler Partition and the Sierra boat-tail hollow point bullets.
The move produced handloader-level accuracy, performance, and quality from factory ammunition, changing the company—and the industry—forever.
Loading the Industry’s Best
The number and variety of Premium items swelled over the next four decades, but like catalogs of product offerings from any company, that number increased and decreased as the market ebbed and flowed. For example, some products from Barnes and Nosler were eventually discontinued.
Today, many products loaded with industry-partner projectiles are still active and selling strong. In fact, Federal has recently pledged to not only continue but also expand and elevate those lines of Premium ammunition.
Evidence to this is Federal’s reintroduction of a complete line of its Premium Nosler AccuBond loads produced and delivered in 2018. In that same year, Federal announced new loads from its latest industry partner, Berger, loaded for competition shooters. Those products were received with an outstanding response from consumers worldwide.
In 2019, Federal will reintroduce a complete lineup of its Premium Barnes Triple-Shock X (TSX) offerings and launch new hunting loads using Berger Hybrid Hunter bullets. Also, it will offer several new options from Sierra and even new loads in its Varmint & Predator product line using Hornady V-Max bullets.
The direction to load the best projectiles in the industry has been the company’s heart and soul—and one of the reasons for its longstanding success. Federal is dedicated to reinvigorating the entire product category now and into the future.
The following questions answered by representatives of the company provide more insight:
What exactly is Federal’s Premium line of centerfire rifle ammunition?
Whether it’s a hunting round for big game, a bullet with a high ballistic coefficient for long-range competition, self-defense ammunition or anything in between—all of our Premium line of products are built with the finest components and held to the factory’s tightest quality standards. For centerfire rifle hunting ammo, for example, that means Gold Medal primers, the finest in the industry, as well as nickel-plated brass and specially formulated, clean-burning propellants that provide the most consistent and reliable performance. At the top of it all—and most important—are the absolute best projectiles available from across the entire industry. Federal Premium is identified by high-impact packaging using mainly black and gold colors, and it incorporates eye-catching gold foil on its box tabs.
Federal Premium Nosler AccuBond and Barnes TSX aren’t necessarily new. You’ve loaded them in the past, correct?
True, our Nosler AccuBond and Barnes TSX were popular loads and loved by our customers for many years. Various business reasons caused us to discontinue most of these products in 2012 and 2013. The few remaining Barnes TSX loads were discontinued in 2017. We are bringing back full product lines using these bullets, plus additional calibers or loads we didn’t offer in the past.
Why did Federal bring back Nosler AccuBond and Barnes TSX loads?
We load the best bullets from the best bullet manufacturers. Customers kept asking for these to come back and we listened.
Handloaded accuracy from a factory load is Federal’s mission, and we’ve delivered on it for more than 40 years. We offer our customers a way of shooting the finest projectile when reloading isn’t a possible or desired activity for them.
Will the reintroduced Nosler AccuBond and Barnes TSX loads be any different from the originals?
These offerings will be back in virtually the same form as before. Customers have been asking for them as they were. However, we did take the opportunity to improve the loads with more advanced powders and components when applicable. For example, we gave them Premium nickel-plated cases. However, these loads will typically keep to the same velocities and accuracy specifications as before.
Will Federal offer the exact same loads in Nosler AccuBond and Barnes TSX as before they were discontinued?
Not exactly, we selected only the most sought-after calibers when we brought them back.
Also, we did add some new calibers to these reintroduced product lines. Barnes TSX now has 6.5 Creedmoor and 224 Valkyrie. For AccuBond, we added 6.5 Creedmoor and 338 Lapua Magnum.
Federal loads other options from Nosler and other bullet manufacturers. Does this mean those products are going away?
No. Existing Federal Premium loads such as Nosler Partition and Ballistic Tip, and Sierra MatchKing BTHP and GameKing BTSP remain the same for 2019. We are simply adding or bringing back more options to our vast catalog. Loading more options from industry partners just makes us bigger and better. Federal has the broadest offering of brand name bullets of any ammunition manufacturer in the world. These additions make our selection even stronger as we provide options for consumers to match great bullets to their various rifles and hunting situations.
Federal has expanded products using industry-partner bullets. What exactly are all those recent additions?
Over the last three years, we have greatly expanded cataloged products loaded with Barnes, Berger, Nosler, and Sierra.
- In 2017, we introduced Berger BT Target in 223 Rem; Berger Hybrid OTM in 6.5 Grendel and 6.5 Creedmoor; and Berger Juggernaut OTM in 308 Win.
- In 2018, we proudly reintroduced Nosler AccuBond in 17 calibers ranging from 243 Win all the way to 338 Lapua Magnum. We also added Nosler Ballistic Tip in 224 Valkyrie; added Sierra MatchKing in 224 Valkyrie and 6.5 Creedmoor; and expanded Berger Hybrid OTM to include 6mm Creedmoor.
- In 2019, we will deliver Barnes TSX in 17 loads ranging from 223 Rem. To 300 Win. Magnum; launch Berger Hybrid Hunter in 10 calibers from 243 Win. To 300 WSM; add Berger Hybrid OTM in 224 Valkyrie, 300 Win Mag and 300 Norma Magnum; and expand Sierra MatchKing to include 6mm Creedmoor.
Besides these offerings in Federal’s Premium line-up, are you loading any of your standard product lines with projectiles from industry partners?
Yes, in 2019, we are launching Federal Varmint & Predator loads that feature Hornady V-Max bullets. The new rounds—designed for everything from prairie dogs to coyotes—bring the accuracy and explosive expansion of the proven V-Max bullet, loaded with our extremely reliable brass, primer, and propellant. These are available in seven loads ranging from 204 Ruger to 308 Win. This standard Federal centerfire product line will be easily identified by our customary, bold blue boxes.
Is loading Hornady bullets something new for Federal?
No, we have offered Federal Premium Hornady V-Max in 17 HMR for many years. Hunters and shooters have recently asked us to load more calibers using Hornady V-Max bullets, and we listened. Our new V-Max offerings are just another extension of our legacy of bringing people the options they want to see on the shelf.
What does this mean for Federal proprietary bullets such as Trophy Copper, Trophy Bonded Tip and Edge TLR?
Trophy Copper, Trophy Bonded Tip and Edge TLR and other in-house bullets are extremely popular. We will still offer our proprietary factory loads as long as there is customer demand for them, plus grow them with new options when applicable. Having a variety of offerings with slight differences in bullet construction and weights provides a variety of options our customers are looking for.
Although many bullets perform well, there is a different application for almost every product we offer. Not to mention personal preference and differences in how each individual gun will shoot various loads. We want to be sure Federal meets the needs of hunters and shooters, no matter what their preference.
For more information on the loads mentioned in this article and all other products from Federal ammunition, visit: www.federalpremium.com.
How about opening up the 6.8spc 90grain military ammo to the public? I have shot these through a custom build and was surprised at the accuracy and performance. Sub moa. And a teriffic deer killer
Todd Carstens, you don have to have the money to buy all the reloading components at once. I didn’t either. I got lucky. A good friend bought himself a fancy reloading press for multiple rounds and gave me his old single round press plus a few odd & end little things, i.e., a couple boxes of large rifle primers and a few pistol primers. As I was able to save the money some at a time, over time I acquired the rest of the stuff gradually. I learned that I have to buy my rifle powder by the 8 pound… Read more »
Would love to see some 220 swift. Love other federal ammo.
I would love it if they offered .350 rem mag loaded with 225gr Seria Gamekings.
I can’t believe I’m talking up federal ,not long ago it seems I was boycotting there ammo, growing up a half of a 500 rd box of 22lr we knew wouldn’t go off or just make it out the end of a barrel & land on ur boot ( very true ) lot of disappointment in federal ammo but it was so cheap u couldn’t pass it up .but everything changed last year when I picked up a box of 200 rounds of luger 9mm going to the range to sight in my new beretta 92 fig I’d blow a… Read more »
i believe you have always used Federal ammo!! nice try though. Winchester is a great ammo and cci is the best..
It would be good to feature Barnes TTSX for better ballistic coefficient than the standard TSX. More offerings in Ultra Mag, Short Action Ultra Mag, and Weatherby cartridges like .240, .257, .270, and .300 would be beneficial. So would more .25-06, .257 Roberts, .250 Savage, 7×57 Mauser, 6mm Creedmoor, and .22 Nosler. And if you REALLY get bored, making brass AND ammo for the 7mm, .300, and .330 Dakota would be icing on the cake. Your Trophy Bonded line would be fine in the latter. Throw 7mm STW, 8mm Remington Mag, and 358 STA, and standardize and produce the .338… Read more »
130gr Barnes TTSX with Norma 203B is BAD@SS!
I wish they would make the 7-30 waters with the Sierra boat tail bullet for a flatter more accurate groups. I too like to just buy them at the spare of the moment. I do have reload bullets sometimes it just nice to just buy them run out to the shooting range or hunt.
Hey Federal, bring back loading the 357 Maximum with 158 and 180 grain bullets. And Marlin, Henry and Winchester, bring put a lever action for the 357 Maximum. Make the rifle action so one can use 38 Long Colt, 38 Special, 357 Magnum and 357 Maximum in the lever action rifle. It would be great from small game to hogs, deer and black bear. Also good for home protection. Also good in areas where politicians have banned semi-auto rifles.
How bout the 6 mm remember. .35 rem. And .32 special?
30-06 will have the TSX and AccuBond loading. I’m not sure what all will be brought back or added to the 06 line up but it did not get left out.
If you handload your ammunition, as I have for fifty years, you can have whatever type of 30-06 ammo you would like. Don’t rely on others to provide that which you can provide for yourself.
The problem with this is that not everyone has the money to buy all the equipment needed to load their own rounds, or the space available to set it up, or the time to sit there and load the ammunition. I personally don’t have the money for the equipment or the space to set it up if I did have the equipment. However I do have a friend that let’s me use his loading equipment. I only have to buy my own brass, bullets, primers, and powder and then I have to find the time to go over there to… Read more »
For years, I loaded my ammo in a LITTLE apt of about 340 sq feet! A wife and young daughter left very little room or time. A $75.00 to $125.00 investment for the tools ( a powder scales, dies, hand primer, Lee hand press and powder, primers and bullets) You should have brass from the factory ammo. After a few times using your set up, you’ll be able to load 50-100 RDS in a few hours.
$75 – $150? A die alone is $50…
Don’t overlook, nor dismiss, the Lee Classic Loader.
In nearly every mention of new or improved ammo the 30.06 is left out in the cold and I want to know why. I would like to see some new HOT loads for my .06 in just about every bullet weight the 06 is capable of handling. I think too much time is put into developing NEW calibers and not enough to soup up the good ones we already have. It’s cool to have some of these new calibers on the market but I believe it’s mostly a money deal for the manufacturers. I’ll stand by my 30.06 for everything… Read more »
I was just wondering if they would bring back the 303 savage