I have seen bad batches of factory new brass from buddies of mine reloading several times. It is one of the reasons I would just as soon pick up once fired (or even more if it was not hot loads) brass from other sources. Sometimes you can do it sometimes you can't and have no choice but to buy new brass.

GoodOlBoy

Maybe I feel differently and am wrong..
 

If I can find what I know is once fired brass I will use it anytime I can.. But I had a chance to buy some "once fired" 220 Swift brass and passed. I did however buy 7 boxes of Factory new brass for the Swift. Didn't cost a whole bunch more and I know what it is.. As you said..a bad batch comes out of the factory ever now and again...but I have found that usually "bad" new brass is quite often the reloaders fault. New brass still needs to be proceessed..and most guys don't do so..thinking...hey it's new..gotta be right! Tain't necessarily so. I have seen new brass that was too thick in te neck area..loaded and shot badly. Luckily it wasn't mine. Speaking of which..I know outside neck turning is supposed to be better but I have 4 or 5 Wilson inside neck reamers..and for most of my loading find that to be as good as outside.. I do the Swift almost without fail.. That is such a fun caliber to shoot. Back when I made bullets with the RCBS bullet swaging dies..I would see a few vaporize on the way to the target(groundhog.. Of course the jackets were 22 rimfire brass. If ya didn't have to buy the lead wire you could make bullets for about a penny a piece.. I made cores with a core mould..still have that darn thing..and about 50 lbs of virgin lead..hmmm..might be time to make more bullets...Might cost a penny and a half now..lectricity for the pot is higher..