Nasty Squib Today

[WestKentucky]

What would a squib do in an auto subgun, or full on machine gun? I'm guessing it would likely not work the action so no kablooey, but with folks claiming a squib operated their action...would it depend upon caliber and thus bolt type? A locking bolt in a higher powered cartridge seems like it's just too much for a squib, but on say a 25acp when it's basically all primer and no powder, it's very conceivable that it would operate a simple blowback. Also for 32acp or 380. Get to 9mm and the locking bolt comes into play.

 

[Havok7416]

Usually the bullet doesn't travel far enough from a squib to allow the next round to chamber in my experience. Even if it managed to kick the case out, the next round would probably not go. That said, I did have one .357 that moved far enough into the barrel that the next round fired and hit it, jamming both bullets tightly in there.

 

[kilibreaux]

Despite what people who don't know guns will tell you, once you've locked a slide back you CAN look down the barrel...which would have told you instantly you had a bore obstruction.
Inexperienced hand loaders and inexpensive "progressive" loading presses are responsible for an increasing number of squib loads.
The best way to avoid a squib is to SLOW IT DOWN...pay attention to each step in the loading process and insure each case is powdered...

 

[Walkalong]

you CAN look down the barrel.

Unloaded please.

 

[gamestalker]

I have to be honest, so please understand I'm not intentionally trying to insult anyone. This is about safety, so it shouldn't be taken personal. But to say that, squibs happen, is no different than saying double charges just happen. No they don't, and if they do, then that reloader needs to develop a fail safe method to make sure they don't ever happen. Either that, or learn to live with one eye, or missing fingers.

And what's more, if a reloader is loading on a SS press, then there should be absolutely no possible was for one to slip by. If we batch load, as in, powder them all, then seat them all as one separate step, then they can all be inspected with a bright light to verify they all have a charge that appears to be consistent with the intended charge.

GS

 

[Centaur 1]

I loaded these rounds in Sept. of 2013 when I was still using a SS press. I used the RCBS charge master and weighed each round. My process was to throw the charge take the pan and fill the case then seat the bullet one at a time. That is why I was shocked to have a squib.

Thoughts

I used to load one at a time, until I caught myself daydreaming. I find it easy to get into a rhythm where I'm going through the motions and not really think about what I'm doing, which is bad. Luckily I realized that I was about to seat a bullet in a case with no charge. Then I went back and pulled all of the cartridges that I loaded prior and I found two more empty shells. Since then I changed the way I now charge my cases. I made my own wood loading blocks that nestle the cases so they don't flop around like with the plastic universal blocks. Now I charge all 50 cases in the block before I seat any bullets. This way I'm able to look into every case and visually compare the powder level against all the others. Then after they're all charged and inspected I move to the press and start seating the bullets.

The fact that you're shook up that this happened is good. It shows that you understand that it does no good to pass blame to the equipment or the conditions. It was a mistake, they do happen, but you caught it. I'm really glad that no one or the gun was injured. Now it's up to you as the handloader to figure out which technique is right for you that works.

 

[baddad06]

Thank you for the feedback. I use a progressive now with a powder cop die. I agree this was my fault. I will definitely be more careful in the future. I hate the fact that I missed a charge! Lesson learned!