Federal Champion 9mm vs. Federal American Eagle 9mm--any difference? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Federal Champion 9mm vs. Federal American Eagle 9mm--any difference?

Posted: 8/12/2015 9:43:19 PM EDT

Fired some of each, 115 grain FMJ. I didn't chrono any of it, but the felt recoil seemed the same. Seemed identical in every other way as well, same brass case, etc.

So what's the difference?

Posted: 8/13/2015 4:30:32 AM EDT

[#1]

They're both good; the, 'American Eagle', though, is generally thought of as being slightly more powerful; and, after extensively using these two brands I'd say that is correct. There have been well published Glock slide cycling issues with Federal, 'Champion'; but none that I know of with, 'American Eagle'. Really, today, either one of these Federal (ATK/Vista Outdoor) brands is the equal of the other. I've got boxes of both stacked up against the wall in my gun room. The only caveat I'd offer is that: Neither, 'Champion' nor, 'American Eagle' is suitable for self-defense use. It's great practice ammo, though!

Posted: 8/13/2015 7:23:33 AM EDT

[#2]

Champion uses plated bullets. AE uses jacketed bullets.

Posted: 8/13/2015 8:13:50 AM EDT

[#3]

Chapion also uses impact extruded cases vs the traditional drawn cases of AE. Not that it really matters, just a difference I’ve noted.

Federal Champion has never given me cycling issues but it does only chrono roughly 1050 fps from a Glock 19 – a very anemic load. I have had cycling issues in an SP-01 with the Federal Aluminum case.

Posted: 8/13/2015 2:14:33 PM EDT

[#4]

Federal is really dirty. AE is just dirty.

Posted: 8/13/2015 9:03:33 PM EDT

[#5]

I now notice that the Champ box says "not for law enforcement use."

Hmmmmm.

Posted: 8/13/2015 11:20:37 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
I now notice that the Champ box says "not for law enforcement use."

Hmmmmm.

View Quote

No FMJ bullet in the United States should be for LE use.

I buy whatever Federal load is cheapest. Here lately that has been Champion. I have had zero cycling issues with this ammo in 9MM, 40 S&W, 45 Auto and .223 Rem. in a variety of guns. The only gun that didn't like it was a Kahr CM40, but it didn't like anything that wasn't nickel plated.

Posted: 8/27/2015 9:18:51 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
I now notice that the Champ box says "not for law enforcement use."

Hmmmmm.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:
I now notice that the Champ box says "not for law enforcement use."

Hmmmmm.

Quoted:
No FMJ bullet in the United States should be for LE use.

Probably dirty and underpowered enough that, when combined with a poorly maintained and under-oiled issue gun, could mess up qualification scores for departments that use FMJ for requalification/examination. The nice brands for serious paper punching are Speer Lawman and Federal American Eagle.

CCI Blazer and Federal Champion are cheap food for blasting, but I wouldn't use it when I'm doing stuff with a shot clock/trying to stay employed/shooting for a record in a personnel file.

Posted: 8/27/2015 11:06:42 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:

Probably dirty and underpowered enough that, when combined with a poorly maintained and under-oiled issue gun, could mess up qualification scores for departments that use FMJ for requalification/examination. The nice brands for serious paper punching are Speer Lawman and Federal American Eagle.

CCI Blazer and Federal Champion are cheap food for blasting, but I wouldn't use it when I'm doing stuff with a shot clock/trying to stay employed/shooting for a record in a personnel file.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I now notice that the Champ box says "not for law enforcement use."

Hmmmmm.

Quoted:
No FMJ bullet in the United States should be for LE use.

Probably dirty and underpowered enough that, when combined with a poorly maintained and under-oiled issue gun, could mess up qualification scores for departments that use FMJ for requalification/examination. The nice brands for serious paper punching are Speer Lawman and Federal American Eagle.

CCI Blazer and Federal Champion are cheap food for blasting, but I wouldn't use it when I'm doing stuff with a shot clock/trying to stay employed/shooting for a record in a personnel file.

Champion 115 was shot right next to AE 115; I could tell no difference in felt recoil and the gun funcitoned perfectly. Not underpowered by any means.

I wonder if the cases are suitable for reloading? Might load up a batch of fifty and see.

Posted: 8/28/2015 9:17:45 PM EDT

[#9]

Never have noticed a difference myself, always buy both if the price is right.

Posted: 9/3/2015 7:46:29 PM EDT

[#10]

Never a problem with either but...the FE seems to be much more dirty then many other FMJ I use.

Posted: 9/4/2015 3:41:49 PM EDT

[#11]

Anyone know if they use different powders??

Posted: 9/10/2015 10:42:16 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Champion 115 was shot right next to AE 115; I could tell no difference in felt recoil and the gun funcitoned perfectly. Not underpowered by any means.

I wonder if the cases are suitable for reloading? Might load up a batch of fifty and see.

View Quote

I've always felt a little extra slide velocity out of AE 115g 9mm, but I've been shooting stuff from the Clinton Administration, so AE might have gotten cheaper in the years gone by as well. Interesting.