After 40 years an "Almost Squib" load

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exbrit49

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Over the last 40 years have loaded thousands of rounds in a lot of different calibers and never had a problem.
While loading some 38 SP a few weeks ago, I checked the thrown charge weight as I normally do, everything looked good. Once I am happy with the dispenser settings, I check about every 10th one. I was seating the bullets when I noticed one charge looked light. Took care of that one but then wondered if there were any more in the batch. I checked the powder dispenser and found a small cobweb in the powder reservoir. I carefully marked the box with "Possible Light loads!!! (Yes I do look in the cases with a flashlight before seating.)
Well yesterday I decided to shoot them off, All was going well and I had my Chrony with me and was shooting my target through the chrony. All of a sudden I had a shot that felt light and I looked and it was only at 440 FPS. all the others had averaged about 950. THe shot cleared the barrel fine and actually still hit the target. Luckily it was the only one and all the others produced a fine group on the target.
Goes to show, its a continuous learning process and now the checklist includes checking my powder dispenser for obstructions, especially cobwebs!!
 
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The only caliber to give me problems is 38 special. Big case, small powder drops and throw in a powder that does not meter well with small drops and you can get problems. I had visually checked all 50 cases in the tray for powder, all had powder and looked the same, but one was a little light. I was loading on the light side to begin with and it just did not develop enough pressure to fully ignite the powder well and the bullet almost made it out the barrel. Fortunately I only had 1 lb of this powder and I weighed every drop after that incident. All the others shot great. I don't care much for Unique anymore.
 
My first batch of 38's that I ever loaded had a squib in it. Stuck it about an inch into the 4" barrel of my Security Six. I'm sure it was a very light powder drop or maybe no powder at all. Taught me a lesson, I look into every case now.

I knocked the squib out at the range with a wooden dowel I keep in my range bag. Shot the rest of them with no issues.
 
I had a problem with My Hornady powder dispenser on my LNL AP, no matter which micrometer rotor combination I used large, or small cavity it would throw no powder or light charges 10 throws out of 100 rounds. This is in .45 acp with Bullseye, Unique or Trailboss (depending on load or bullet type). I never had a problem with my Dillon 550 powder measure across several calibers and many thousands of rounds ( all pistol) . So a couple of years ago I sold the Hornady measure and put a Dillon measure on the LNL press and the issue went away. Others here have had no issues with the Hornady measure and swear by it. I can only conclude that I got a bad one. I disassembled, cleaned, and polished it but I could never find a problem and the issue persisted. Fortunately I have a light over both presses and eyeball each charge. QC is the answer.
 
I make it a practice to check each case still but I reload on a progressive and purchased a lockout die for this very reason. For me, even with a light, those long cases and light powder drops screw with my eyes.
 
BTW, a wooden squib rod is a problem waiting to happen. Brass just under bore ID is much better choice.
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Agreed!

I had the machine shop at work turn me down some brass rods in 38/357 and 44.

I need some longer ones for the rifles........
 
For a rifle squib rod, you could get a steel rod and wrap tape to build it up to groove diameter every 4-6". The rod will never touch the barrel. I use one for slugging my rifles. For pistols, I just get a 1/4" or 3/8" brass rod from a hardware store and cut it down to size.

I haven't had a stuck bullet in a rifle, but I can drive out a stuck bullet from a semi pistol or revolver in no time flat. Ask me how I am so experienced :).

I actually chronographed a "primer only" 38 special at 238 fps. It was a Silver State hardcast bullet early in my reloading days. If it were one of my cast bullets, it would have lodged in the barrel for sure because I make sure my cast bullets have a nice snug fit.
 
devils4ever said:
Why? What's wrong with a wooden rod to knock out a bullet lodged in the barrel? It shouldn't harm the bore.
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Eventually, if you use a wooden dowel long enough, you will have one break off. Then the individual pieces wedge together and you have a huge mess. I had this happen one time and wont use wood anymore. It took me hours to get it out.
 
Homerboy said:
I weigh every charge. I'm in no rush.
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If you don't shoot a lot there is nothing wrong with loading that way. When I go to the range which is at least once week for about 9/10 months if the year I shoot several hundred handgun rounds and some rifle rounds too. I don't think I could make enough ammo weighing every charge. I mostly use a ball powder for handgun ammo and a powder measure. (Lee Pro Auto-Disk on a Lee Classics turret press)

No, I don't just blast away. I spend a good amount if time at the range with a friend or two and with my sons when they can make it.
 
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