Cheap Squib removal tool

[berettaprofessor]

Having learned about squib removal after a couple of soft loads of 38sp, I thought I'd post this tip for those who search for a removal tool. I found this stuff, 4ga Copper Wire, at Menards; about $5 for 5 feet. It's stiff enough to pound out a 38 special (4 ga is 0.232 inches diameter), and I think you could encase it in maybe some polyethylene tubing for 45's or larger.



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[LiveLife]

I keep a brass cleaning rod in the range bag to tap out squib bullets and slip a spent 22LR brass case at the end to increase the contact area.

This one is under $7 - http://www.amazon.com/Outers-Univer...9&sr=1-5&keywords=outers+shotgun+cleaning+rod

If a bullet is really stuck like halfway in the barrel, I have used 1/4 inch extension wrapped with paper towel/cardboard to keep the extension from moving in the barrel and contacting the rifling.

 

[Rule3]

I keep a brass cleaning rod in the range bag to tap out squib bullets and slip a spent 22LR brass case at the end to increase the contact area.

This one is under $7 - http://www.amazon.com/Outers-Univer...9&sr=1-5&keywords=outers+shotgun+cleaning+rod

I have the DILLON version of that. I painted it Blue so it would look expensive!

 

[LiveLife]

I have also used aluminum cleaning rod with 22LR case over the tip with good results.

You can get cleaning rods for cheap at yard sales/gun shows.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A wooden dowel will cost you pennies unless you have one in the basement, then it's free...
Thanks for the alternative idea.

 

[Blue68f100]

I keep a 5/16" brass rod in my bag. Copper may be too soft for a squib rod.

 

[rcmodel]

Have an even less expensive plan then that.

I don't load loads squibs in the first place.

I've Never had to pound a bullet out of a barrel in 50+ years of reloading.
(At least not from my own reloads.)

If you consistently get squibs often enough to carry a pounding rod around with you?

You need to carefully review your reloading procedures.

rc

 

[berettaprofessor]

Archangel, I tried the dowel first but it kept breaking or splintering.

RC, I'm new to reloading and was working with powder and bullets that didn't add up to a published load because of availibility of components. Loaded up one batch that wasn't good, even at maximum load I tried. After the second squib In. 10 rounds I pulled the bullets and started over.

 

[Rule3]

Have an even less expensive plan then that.

I don't load loads squibs in the first place.

I've Never had to pound a bullet out of a barrel in 50+ years of reloading.
(At least not from my own reloads.)

If you consistently get squibs often enough to carry a pounding rod around with you?

You need to carefully review your reloading procedures.

rc

You would actually have to pull the trigger and fire one of those reloads to know if it's a squib.

 

[kerreckt]

3/16"x48" solid brass rod. I now have several for pistols and one for rifles. Total cost less than $3.00.

 

[Hondo 60]

Archangel, I tried the dowel first but it kept breaking or splintering.

Depends on what the dowel is made of.
Pine will splinter too easily
Oak or Maple is the good stuff

 

[Rule3]

If you do not want a Oak dowel, brass welding rods work also.

 

[gamestalker]

RC took the words right out of my mouth, don't have squibs in the first place. Although I only have 30 yrs.+ experience with reloading, I have never had a single squib, double charge, mis fire, or unusual experience.

To need a special tool for something that shouldn't be happening in the first place, and something as serious as a squib, is indicative of a more serious problem having to do with your reloading practices. Stick to published data and procedures, and you won't need that neat little tool.

GS

 

[Bearhands]

I've only been reloading for about 8 yrs and have only had one squib (first reloads,totally my fault*). Here's how I cleared it:

I was frantic to get that LSWC out of the barrel (4" and it was stuck 3" in). The only thing I had with me at the range was one of those kinda flexible BIC type pens. I took out the guts of it and it flexed just enough to enter the rear of the barrel. I tapped it in with my shoe until it poked out of the end of the barrel, took the gun home and removed it with a pair of pliers. Crude and rude but it worked!

*I'll never use WD40 as case lube again!

 

[hey_poolboy]

I've never (yet) loaded a squib. I'm still a good little boy scout and keep an oak dowel in my bag just in case. I've also got a chunk of brass rod at the bench that I've used to make different sized punches that would work in a pinch.

 

[JWH321]

+1 on the oak dowel. I have a little plastic cap on the end of mine where I tap it with the hammer. It seems to protect it from my aggression. I think the cap came on a bottle of nose spray. I keep it in my range box. I've never actually had to use it on my guns, but its been loaned out quite a bit, and I've pushed a few out for people close to me.

 

[Rule3]

For those who are not mere mortals and never had a squib, Cheers! Hooray!

A standard tool for a range bag and I have saved several guys day at the range

 

[LiveLife]

For those new to reloading (and for some not so new), squib rounds will be a reality - It's not if but when.

We are human and not perfect and I will readily admit that I have produced my share of squib rounds when I first started reloading. These days, not so much (as I am quite OCD about squib/KB/OAL/tighter shot groups/felt recoil/Etc.) and since I keep a mini cleaning kit in my range bag, using the brass/aluminum brush rod tipped with 22LR casing comes in handy for other shooters who experience squibs.

 

[loose noose]

I carry a brass rod as a precaution in my range bag also.

 

[doubleh]

I've never had a squib with anything but 22LR. 3/16" brazing rod works wonderfully and won't damage your barrel. They also make great cleaning rods if you want to drill and tap one.

 

[Jim Watson]

I stuck two bullets last year, my first in my loading career going back to 1970.

One was a factory load that had been exposed to smoke and water when my house burned in 2010. I was using ammo from that Incident for practice and to recover the brass, putting up with some percentage of misfires. But that one fizzled and stuck the bullet in the barrel. I pulled the rest of that brand. Anybody who tells you that modern ammunition is waterproof has not had any exposed to more wetting than a dip in the sink.

The other was due to too much freeboard in the cartridge. If you load a light handbook load in .38 Special but with the bullet seated out due to using a 158 grain seating setting with a 125 grain bullet, then raise the revolver from a low ready position, the powder will be at the base of the bullet, too far from the primer to ignite. After I drove that one out of the barrel, I reseated the bullets properly and all shot normally. I take the blame for loading in a rush and not getting all dimensions to spec.

It was surprisingly difficult to drive a 125 grain moly coated lead bullet out of a 2" .38 barrel with a brass rod. I would not want to try it with a wooden dowel, and certainly not a jacketed bullet.

I have not left the powder out of a round, as seems unfortunately common now, though.

 

[Dframe]

As a mere mortal, I learned to keep a brass rod in my range bag. I find, dripping a few drops of oil down the bore on both sides of the stuck bullet helps greatly.

 

[RainDodger]

I agree with an earlier post... any squib is in indicator of a problem somewhere else. I have never, ever had a squib load in any firearm, in my entire natural born life.... and all I shoot are hand loads. If you have a hand loaded bullet that doesn't exit the barrel, review your loading practices. If you have a factory bullet fail to exit... well, that's bad luck. Take it up with the manufacturer.

I've never even thought to carry around something to pound out a bullet.

Now that I said all that, it's probably going to happen this weekend. Ah, well...

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I've had exactly 1 squib since I started loading. I was at the range and luckily its in the country with lots of trees around, so I just found an appropriately sized stick and punched it out.
I certainly don't think I'll have enough to experiment with which method for removal is best.
I hope anyway.

 

[Rule3]

My range is out in the "swamp" many times folks are there alone. You need to be self sufficient. I carry first aid, water, snack food, fire maker, cell phone, tools etc, etc along with rods. Maybe it's old Boy Scout training but it pays to be prepared.
No, I am not a prepper.