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Federal Training Ammo Review: Cheap Ammo That Performs

Federal Training Ammo Review

When looking for practice or training ammo, you have so many options it can be overwhelming. This Federal Training ammo review will help ease your mind and point you in the right direction for your next ammo purchase.

We'll charge into the history and quality of Federal training ammo, its best uses, and its most significant downsides. We'll also provide the information you need to determine if it's the ammo you want to buy.

Settle in, and let's get shooting!

Federal Training Ammo Overview

Federal Ammunition is a leading manufacturer of ammo. As one of the most recognizable names in the industry, they have every type of ammo you might need, from handgun ammo for target practice and personal defense to rifle ammo for hunting, all kinds of shotgun shells, and, of course, rimfire ammo.

Whether you're looking for range ammo, hunting ammo, law-enforcement ammo, or self-defense ammo, Federal makes it all in the USA.

But we're here to focus on their Training Ammo.

It was once labeled as Federal Training Ammo and came in a pretty basic white box with black print similar in quality to their American Eagle line of ammo.

Well, those days are over.

Shooters now have the option of Federal Champion Training ammo, Federal Syntech Training Match ammo, Federal American Eagle Indoor Range Training Lead-Free ammo, and Federal Train + Protect ammo.

It's no wonder new shooters feel overwhelmed because that's only one brand! Hornady, Winchester, CCI, Remington, Speer, and many other ammo brands have similar offerings.

So, take a deep breath and focus on one at a time.

Federal Champion Training ammo has three offerings: Champion Training, Champion Training Rimfire, and Champion Training Rifle.

Champion Training is great pistol ammo for the range; however, much of it has been discontinued. Champion Training Rimfire comes in 22 LR and 22 WMR, and the Champion Training Rifle was only in 5.56 X 45mm but has also since been discontinued.

Federal Syntech Training Match 9mm

Federal Syntech Training Match ammo is pistol ammo with a polymer coated flat nose bullet in a few standard calibers.

Federal American Eagle Indoor Range Training Lead-Free ammo is handgun ammo designed for safer shooting indoors. It has lead-free primers and bullets with similar performance to traditional FMJ bullets.

Federal Train + Protect ammo is handgun ammo that's inexpensive enough to use at the range and for self-defense. It has jacketed hollow point bullets for the projectile, except in the 38 special, which is a Versatile Hollow Point (lead hollow point).

Now that we have a basic understanding of Federal Training ammo, let's talk a little bit about the general performance of these rounds.

Our Federal Training Ammo Review

I've shot a lot of Federal ammo throughout the years, whether that was from my Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm Luger carry pistol, Ruger 22 LR pistols and rifles for plinking, my wife's 380 ACP, shotshells for dove and duck hunting, or running some 5.56 through my AR-15.

Rarely have I ever had a problem with it. However, it's also not my favorite brand of ammo.

So, let's find out why I and many other shooters like to use Federal Training ammo and the downfalls that come with it.

What Is It Best For?

As the name suggests, it's best for training and practicing. This is not hunting or self-defense ammo, even though Federal Ammo tried to match the ballistics as closely as possible so you can easily transition from practice ammo to high-end ammo.

Suppose you're a prepper or just someone who likes to ensure they have plenty of ammo on hand in case anything happens. In that case, Federal Training ammo is a solid choice since it's often at competitive prices and very reliable.

Federal American Eagle Indoor Range Training ammo and Federal Syntech Training ammo are best for shooting indoors because they eliminate the lead vapor that other rounds create. Therefore, it's safer for the shooter and those around them.

Disadvantages

Federal American Eagle Indoor Range Training 9mm

A significant disadvantage of this ammo is how much of it gets discontinued. So if you fall in love with it, buy a bunch because it might never get produced again.

Federal Ammo as a whole also tends to be on the pricey side; however, Federal Training ammo is priced well for the performance it offers.

Lastly, trying to keep up with and decide between all the choices is confusing, and I get paid to stay on top of ammo! So, for those just getting into shooting or who occasionally enjoy the smell of burnt gunpowder, all the new choices might scare them away.

Pros and Cons

You now have a little background for this ammo and its best uses. Below are the pros and cons I discovered while researching Federal Training ammo.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • Reliable
  • Comparable performance to Federal Premium ammo
  • The brass casings make reloading possible
  • American made ammo

Cons

  • Many calibers are discontinued
  • Only offered in pistol and rimfire calibers

Variations of Federal Training Ammo

As I mentioned, Federal Training ammo comes in several forms; below, I've broken them down further into the calibers and bullet options available to help you decide which one is right for you.

Champion Training

Federal Champion Training 22 LR
  • Champion Training 32 H&R Magnum 95-grain semi-wadcutter hollow point
  • Champion Training 44 Special 200-grain semi-wadcutter hollow point
  • Champion Training 45 Auto 230-grain full metal jacket
  • Champion Training 40 S&W 180-grain full metal jacket
  • Champion Training 9mm Luger 115-grain full metal jacket

Champion Training Rimfire

  • Champion Training Rimfire 22 LR 36-grain lead hollow point
  • Champion Training Rimfire 22 LR 40-grain lead round nose
  • Champion Training Rimfire 22 LR 36-grain copper plated hollow point
  • Champion Training Rimfire 22 WMR 40-grain full metal jacket

Champion Training Rifle

  • Champion Training Rifle 5.56x45mm 55-grain jacketed soft point (Discontinued)

Federal Syntech Training Match

  • Syntech Training Match 9mm Luger 147-grain Syntech jacket flat nose
  • Syntech Training Match 9mm Luger 124-grain Syntech jacket flat nose
  • Syntech Training Match 40 S&W 180-grain Syntech jacket flat nose
  • Syntech Training Match 45 Auto 230-grain Syntech jacket flat nose
Federal Training 380 Auto Train + Protect

Federal Train + Protect

Federal American Eagle Indoor Range Training

  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training Lead-Free 380 Auto 70-grain IRT
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training Lead-Free 9mm Luger 70-grain IRT
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training 9mm Luger 147-grain FMJ
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training 9mm Luger 124-grain FMJ
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training Lead-Free 40 S&W 120-grain IRT
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training 40 S&W 180-grain FMJ
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training Lead-Free 45 Auto 137-grain IRT
  • American Eagle Indoor Range Training 45 Auto 230-grain FMJ

Ballistics of Federal Training Ammo Bullets

Federal Training ammo ballistics vary widely depending on the caliber and bullet you're shooting. However, I've gathered the average muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, and distance for the common calibers of Federal Training ammo.

Federal Training Ammo Ballistics table

Parting Shots

Now that you've read our Federal Training ammo review, you're equipped with the knowledge to choose the best practice ammo for your precious Glock 19 or Sig Sauer.

You have plenty of options, but some might be discontinued, so grab as many boxes as you can from Ammo.com today!

Frequently Asked Questions

I've taken the liberty to round up and answer some commonly asked questions regarding Federal Training Ammo.

Is the Federal Training Ammo worth buying?

Yes, Federal Training ammo is worth buying if you're looking to stock up on a bunch of quality ammo at a reasonable price.

What is the range of Federal Training Ammo?

The range of Federal Training ammo is similar to all other ammunition in the same caliber. It will primarily depend on the caliber you're using for the effective range.

Wes Littlefield
Written by
Wes Littlefield

Ammunition Reviews