My first squib

[wgaynor]

Had my first squib today. I was shooting hand loads out of my Ruger P95. Bullet was 147grain Hornady XTP over Unique. Heard a fizzle instead of a boom. Ejected the spent casing (primer did fire) and it was blackened with soot. The bullet was 1/2 inch in the barrel (glad I looked).

Not sure if it had a low powder charge or other issues at play. I've loaded thousands of 9mm over the past couple of years and this is the first.

This past year, I have changed my method. I no longer use a powder dispenser, but instead, weigh each and every single load on a beam scale for accuracy. I then weigh the individual bullets to double check against an error once the bullet is seated.

This ammo was from 2 years ago... might have been a noob problem on my part. Shook me up a bit. Glad it was me shooting and not my wife.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Glad to hear it was a good learning experience rather than a regretful one. I weigh all my powder charges too. I also give them a visual once over in the load tray before seating any bullets.

 

[1 old 0311-1]

YOU were smart enough to stop at one

 

[rcmodel]

I have to say with about 100% certainty, if the primer went off, the Unique did too.

You missed charging a case somehow.

I also give them a visual once over in the load tray before seating any bullets.

+1 - This stops that!

I have been doing it that way for about 50 years now, and have never had a squib load, or harmed a gun.


rc

 

[wgaynor]

Thanks for the tips. Will add the once over to the routine.

 

[Hondo 60]

Squibs suck, because then it gets you to thinkin' about what else you might've missed.

I've had a few over the years, but thank God I recognized what happened & stopped.

Stay safe my friends.

 

[J_McLeod]

I had several from one batch when I first got my progressive. Each time the was no powder and the case ejected, but the bullet hadn't gone forward enough for another to chamber. I stopped using the powder COP die (not sure if that was the problem) and now visually check every case before putting a bullet on it. That was the problem.

 

[jmorris]

I guess it can happen to anyone but glad it has yet to happen to me. The thought of having one with my match ammo makes the " waisted" money on the powder check die worth every penny.

I could post a video of how well they work but it would be beating a dead horse around here.

 

[rcmodel]

And whats worse then a squib load is, wondering if the next round you squeeze the trigger on is a Double-Charge!

After all, that missing powder must have went somewhere, right?

That right there will be enough to ruin your shooting for a long long time.
Until you finally get over wondering if this round is where it went before every shot.

rc

 

[dirtengineer]

If you use a progressive, I highly recommend an RCBS lockout. If single stage, I recommend a loading block and visual inspection after all are loaded with powder. I also like to use powder/charges that overflow with a double.

 

[wgaynor]

I use a single stage (rockchucker). These were some of my first reloads (I mark my rounds and keep track). Shot the last 50 yesterday of these, but am a bit paranoid now.

 

[wgaynor]

Probably happened when I tried to load too many in one setting. can cause your attention to lag. I now only load 50 at a time after hearing the advice of some friends. My paranoia knows no bounds... causes me to be extra careful now.

 

[ImjinScout]

+1 on the RCBS Lockout die, when I first started loading, I had a squib in the first couple of weeks, my issue I believe was a very low charge weight, when I was working up some new loads for the first time. After that I bought the lockout die and am very conscious of looking into each case as well. I think this die is way better than the powder cop which is still a visual check, the lockout die stops the press dead in it's tracks.