357 Mag Squib

[atygrit]

Alright I need to figure out if I just screwed up, or is there an actual problem.

Fired off one of my new reloads for 357 mag. I was using 12.5 grains of Accurate #9, 158 grain LSWC bullte, and a Wolf small pistol primer.

The round got stuck just after entering the barrel and it appeared to have a lot of unburned and like a tan residue on the end of the bullet.

I'm thinking the tan residue was powder than changed color, because it looked like powder but just a different color.

I was very careful on these rounds, I only made 24 to test out the lead bullets and work up my loads. So I'm pretty sure that there was plenty of powder in the case.

I did notice that the primer was a little high on the case, but the primer did fire and had a good strike on it.

Could it be these wolf primers weren't igniting the powder completely?

Let me know what you think.

 

[Walkalong]

I doubt primers are the problem. AA #9 does not download well in .357. It downloads pretty well in .44 Mag, but not .357.

I have not shot any lead with AA #9 in .357, so cannot comment on the amount of powder.

Using a nice strong crimp?

Pull a couple of rounds and double check the charge weight.

 

[243winxb]

Change to a magnum primer, maybe ?

 

[Sniderman]

The round got stuck just after entering the barrel

Lead bullet stuck in the forcing cone,,, I'm calling Squib load,, No Powder.
Recheck any rounds you have left, a grain scale should give you an indication of a light cartridge. "When In Doubt, Knock 'em Out!"

 

[243winxb]

12.4gr of No.9 is listed as maximum for a 158gr lswc on there websites load data. The primer is not listed. But powder is ball type, so use a magnum primer. Or change powder to Alliant's 2400, works great with a 158 gr lswc. 13.0gr.

 

[Mxracer239y]

No powder in that one I bet. My 'light' 357 reloads use approximately 12 grains of AA#9 (IIRC, without consulting my notes). That load should run with no problem at 1150-1200 FPS.

 

[GP100man]

AA#9 is similar to H-110/ww296 & not recommended to go 3% down from max !

I myself have incountered problems (seen on chrony) at 13.5grs of H-110 with CCI 500 primers , problem went away with 550s though.

Heavy crimp is a must with ball powders !!!

 

[Lost Sheep]

Not downloaded

I'm pretty sure 12.5 gr Accurate #9 is not downloaded

My (Lee) manual lists 12.2 grains as max for 158 Grain Lead in .357 Magnum (but Lee does list a little on the light side, I am told).

So, here are my guesses.

Contaminated powder, maybe? A little water or case lube?

Inadequate crimp (though, with a 158 grain lead bullet, there should have been enough inertia to have a good burn.

Are you sure it was a full charge?

Inadequate primer, as 243winxb suggested?

What was the condition of the flashhole?

Lost Sheep

 

[Seedtick]

I've always used standard primers with #9, either CCI 500 or WSP, and I ain't had any problems.

Seedtick

 

[GP100man]

atygrit

what is your brass prep steps , any chance of contamination of the powder ??

What bullet where ya using ???Maybe lube contamination ???

I still do not like the 12.5 gr. load on a ball powder , but as Lost Sheep suggested any combo of these things would have done it !!

Do ya trim ya brass to get a consistent crimp ??& do you taper or roll crimp ??

 

[243winxb]

Pullet Pull/ Neck Tension.

For the powder to burn correctly it has to build pressure. If the bullet is not held by the case tight enough, you can get a squib. Check your dies to make sure they are working correctly. First, check the expander, it should measure .002" smaller than bullet diameter or more. FL size a case, measure in neck area, now run the expander into the case, is the case now larger in diameter? It should be. Now measure the case after its expanded, seat a bullet, has the case expanded again by at least .002" If so, you have correct neck tensiion. Or take a loaded round, push the nose against the reloading bench with about 20lbs pressure, does bullet mover? If it moves you dont have enough neck tension. No powder would be my first guess, then contaminated powder, then light bullet pull, then primer.

 

[ironhead7544]

Sounds like the squibbs I got with WW296 and 125 gr JHPs in the 357. Had to go near max to fix it. The Winchester book load was way less than the Speer book load. I would look for other data. Also may have had a powder bridge.