Oops! My first squib.

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UpTheIrons

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They say it happens to us all eventually. Friday was my turn.

I was brushing up for my renewal class with the poodle-poppin' 9mm, and wanted to cleanse my palette with my way-too-fun-to-shoot 1911. So, I loaded up and started shooting.

Rounds 1-7 fired as normal. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. Round 8 simply went *CLICK*. I looked down to see that the hammer had fallen. I thought that was odd, as I had never had a light primer strike before.

The slide was still fully forward, in battery, so I recocked the hammer and pressed again. *CLICK*. I truly heard nothing more that the click of the hammer falling both times, but I usually wear muffs and puffs, so that might have covered the sound of the primer popping on the first trigger press. Plus, it was a bit breezy Friday with the wind blowing sound away from me.

I dropped the magazine and tried to rack the slide. No go. I tried again, and still no go. On the third try I did the old "push with both hands in opposite directions close to your body" trick and out popped the case. I think the nick in the lip came when the slide jumped forward again, since my hand was covering the ejection port and the case was still in the port when I let the slide go.

Apparently, it was a primer-only load, as the bullet didn't even clear the case. The case wasn't 'clean' like they usually are after firing, but coated inside with a thick gray soot, which you can see in the case on the right.

8444447579_47ef15cb8a.jpg


Here's what the case looks like in the barrel with the case pressed in to where it touches the base of the bullet. The primer backed out a bit, too.

8444447781_c8b9b5e4ab.jpg


The bullet was still in the case, I think up to the brighter band here. The bullet engaged the rifling into that brighter band, but no farther.

8444447037_9b50c34699.jpg


So what happened? Much of this batch was loaded single-stage, so I could learn the process. The last 500 or so were "progressively" loaded on my Lee Turret. This one had to have been one of those rounds, as I use a loading block for any single-stage rounds I load, and check them carefully before moving to the next stage.

Once I (finally) get another batch of bullets, I'm going to move upscale to the Hornady LNL A.P. Loader I got with Christmas money, and I'm going to install some of the LED lighting made for presses to make sure I can see what's going on at all times.

Any hints on how to make sure it doesn't happen again, or is this just a fact of life - that one in every 3000 or so rounds might have an issue?
 
I don't know.

But if one is missing a powder charge?
How can you be 100% sure another one isn't double charged??

And NO, it isn't just a fact of life.

If you have even one, you need to seriously review your whole reloading procedure so it simply cannot ever happen again.

rc
 
RC's right, as usual. If you loaded a batch and one got no powder, there's a pretty good chance that powder went somewhere.

When I charge cases (off press as I'm a SS guy), I calibrate the throw then carefully count the number of cases in the block. I count as I charge and when the count reaches the number in the block, I stop. If I get there with an empty case remaining, I know one case was doubled. Or if I run out of cases before I reach that count, I know I missed one.

Oh yes, sight check each one.
 
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I do a visual sanity check on each one. If single stage, I charge them all, and then look inside with a flashlight... any that are not charged or doubled are visually very obvious.

On the progressive it auto indexes and I look into each case to confirm powder level before I seat the bullet.

In 10s of thousands I've never had a mis-charged case.

If it is single stage I don't know that I'd assume I double charged one, at least with my procedure. With progressive I'd be more concerned since anything jamming that requires removal of the cases on the shell plate requires that they get put back on correctly, and I double and triple check that operation whenever it happens.

Basically, there are some parts of reloading I do in front of the TV, and some that have my absolute undivided attention. Sanity checking powder levels on each case definitely falls in the later category. Be better and pay attention; evaluate your process and make changes if necessary; that is the solution.
 
Thanks for the tips, guys. Consider my knuckles well-slapped. :eek:

I started on .45 since it is a huge case that is easy to see into to check for a powder charge. Ironically, the 9mm seems to be better for seeing a powder charge (and will not physically hold a double-charge of HP-38).

I think the most likely cause was a short-stroke on the press, but I'm not sure, since my OCD-ness would usually make me drive the handle to it's stop every time.

Should I consider pulling the bullets on the rest of this batch to see if there are any others, or (God forbid) a double-charge in the mix?

I tend to think it's an anomaly, since it is the only one I've had. But I don't want to proceed carelessly, either. I mean, I'm only just over 3000 rounds into this process, so I don't consider myself anywhere near the "pro" level.

I've given some thought to bench setup and loading procedures, and I think I've figured out how to trim some effort but increase safety. Better light and adjusting how the press is mounted on the bench, along with where I physically am in relation to the press are the first steps. Once that's done, I think I'll be able to monitor more easily and more carefully what I've been doing, and to tweak anything else that needs adjusting. Not that I haven't been paying attention, but I could obviously be better at it.
 
No offense intended, but I'm with RC 100% on this topic. Regardless of what process you load with, sigle stage or progressive, you have to know that every round has been charged correctly. Be it a double charge or a squib, either can rob you of your eye sight, or even your life.

I've been reloading for several decades and have not had one single double or squib, and it's not because I'm special or better than another reloader, I have incorpaorated a process of safe guards that make it as impossible as can be for something as dangerous as this to occure. And 1 in 3000 rounds is not very good odds in my opinion when considering how much damage can result from that 1 round?

GS
 
big reason I'm a fan of powders that more than half fill the case. Just another check
 
Thanks for sharing UpTheIrons. Nice pics too.

I've had one also. It was when I first started reloading. All it took for me was a momentary lapse in routine/concentration.

I think I may have stopped to check the weight of the charge and left the powder in the scale, then seated the bullet.

It reinforced the need to visually verify every case before seating the bullet.

Good Shooting. :)
 
these scare me more than a double charge. I have had one and it scared the s@@t outta me, now I account for each round and I target shoot steel so I can hear each round hit.
 
As others have already said, you have to watch everything you do carefully and follow a strict routine every time you load. I've now been loading for 40 years and thankfully have never had a malfunction. I've been using a LNL AP now for 2 years and I urge you to use the RCBS Lockout Die as an added safety precaution. You learned a good lesson and no harm was done this time. Good luck.
 
I had one in 380. I didn't see the bullet hit the paper, so I unloaded and checked. Bullet was about an inch into the barrel. Since it was a mild load, I shot the entire batch and didn't have a double charge. Since I an on a turret, my only possibility was that I was half asleep and didn't pull the handle far enough to drop the entire powder charge.

What did I change? No loading when I am tired. I also got rid of the dancing girls, they were a distraction!
 
I have had two primer only loads with 158gr .358" 158gr lswc bullets in a 38 special case. the first one managed to move down 2" of snubby barrel and accurately hit the target at 15 yards and hit the backstop at 25 yards. The second did the exact same but it made it out of a 6" revolver. keep in mind these were lead bullets. During both of these incidents I had the "uhh what was that" look on my face a half second after pulling the trigger. At that point in time I did not batch and lot my ammo by date and I attribute the problem to the fact that when I first had my lee turret press, the hopper to autodisk fit was gritty and caused the disk to bind and not grab a new charge of powder. I caught several of these in the making. I believe these two problem rounds were in the first 100 rounds of reloads but I mixed up my undated boxes so there was no differentiating between box#1 and box#10 in my first 500.

Now while loading on the turret I mentally validate each and every action by habit. I say in my head POP as the primer pings out, prime as I prime the primer bar with the safety prime and prime the case. Next I take my eyes off the lower part of the press and focus on the charger. As im raising the ram, I ensure the powder disk is fully back such that it is charged by the hopper, then as I physically see the disk extend all the way to the powder drop I say in my head "charge", let it sit for a half second and in a somewhat jerky action completely raise the lever to ensure there are no grains of powder hanging around in the drop assembly. then I ensure I fully lower the the ram to rotate to the seating stage as I drop a bullet on the case and seat it.

It takes a while to type out, but it is all of 12-14 seconds for the whole process. you just have to get your mind trained on watching each and every step, feeling the primer seat, physically watching the powder charge drop and ensuring each and every step is followed to the "T". Once a process has been so ingrained, its crazy how easily your senses can pick up on a problem. for instance, I can easily tell the difference between a 380, 38, 357, 45 or 223 case that has a 1/4" crack down the neck. They are like the liberty bell... they just dont ding right.
 
I had an issue with...bullseye I think, there were large flat paper Like pieces of plastic or something. In the powder, one of these got stuck in the measure hole, that's how I noticed em. Look in every case!

Sent from my CZ85 Combat
 
Its serious.

So what happened?
Click to expand...

Somewhere along the line, a pooch was screwed.

Its serious.

Since you load on a turret, not a true progressive- its not 100% certain that the powder charge for that case went in another case. You can't rule it out, but with manual indexing, you very well may have skipped a station manually. How you managed to get a bullet on there by hand and not notice there was no powder ? Its serious.

Thats for you to answer.

I'm going to move upscale to the Hornady LNL A.P. Loader I got with Christmas money,
Click to expand...

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECHING halt on that'n

If you repeat this flaw on a true progressive- the charge WILL go somewhere. Its serious.

If you are using a casefeeder and bullet feeder on the AP so that you don't touch the bullets, thus eliminating the last failsafe you've already overlooked once- looking in the case I would wager sooner rather than later you will end up in one of these situations :

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=620649

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=646086

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=603222

Not shaming anyone- but we just had one of these from an experienced reloader.

Its serious.

They say it happens to us all eventually.

Well- not exactly. It happens when we get sloppy. Or when we get ahead of ourselves- usually ahead of our ability, in the quest for speed...until something happens.

Congrats....sort of. You had the "something happens" moment.

Its serious.

The congratulations are in order because like me, your moment came and went without shrapnel, nor with blood. Many in such circumstances are not so lucky.

I've had a primer go off in an unfilled case before. I load by batch on an SS, and supposedly inspect each case before capping a bullet on. It was for my 44 revolver, which at the time, I think I could have cared less if I damaged...ya, that must of been it....... With that said, I know I didn't double charge another case, because a double load of that powder wouldn't fit- and I load on a single stage...

I've ranted and huffed and puffed about progressive reloading before.

My biggest peeve is people doing it for all the wrong reasons, who are new....and inevitably blowing up guns.

But that NEVER happens. I know what I'm doing. It's totally safe, and I can never fail. My tookus. Its that kind of hubris that leads to complacency.... See above......

I have a dillon sitting in the corner of my reloading room. Everytime things like this happen, I'm reminded of why I haven't unpacked it yet.

Maybe im not mentally ready. Maybe I'm scared. I dunno. Maybe i'm not ready to give up that level of control. In any event- I KNOW its not for me yet. And as of yet, I have no need for the speed it allows- even on an older style "semiautomatic" setup. But I digress- thats me and not you.

In short- things like this cause me extreme amounts of anxiety. Its serious. I hope it does the same to you. If it does not- something is wrong.

If you have even one, you need to seriously review your whole reloading procedure so it simply cannot ever happen again.
Click to expand...

Yep. Literally square one. Thats good advice right there, I'd take it. When its that good, and free to boot... Thats a mercy right there.

I got the same advice, and did the same thing. Even ended up changing my press mount, my powder drop positioning, and how I sit during the process. It hasn't happened again. *knocks on head*
 
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I will probably never shoot or load enough volume to require a progressive, and even if I did suddenly need to produce lots more rounds, I'm not sure I'd switch from a SS. To me, there is not substitute for that final visual check to see the right level of powder in each case in the block.
 
This is one reason I weigh every single finished round. I sort my brass, and after loading ~10-20 rounds with weighed charges, I know the range of weights that a finished round should have. Unless I'm using a very light weight charge (like AA#2), a finished round that is either empty or double-charged will be outside the weight range. For instance, say I'm loading a round with a 7 grain charge and a correct finished weight between 211 and 215. Even if I get a heavy piece of brass and a heavy bullet, I'll get a 208 finished round if I don't get a charge. Or I'll get at least a 218 with a double charge.

It's faster than weighing every charge, but it's slower than just pulling the handle on my turret 4 times and throwing the finished round in the box. It's not a substitute for diligence on the front end, but it is a QC safety check.
 
I had one about 40 years ago. It was in .45 ACP and the bullet landed about 6 feet in front of me. I could see it all the way and even the spin on it as it traveled that tremendous distance. Many good recommendations in this thread.

Since there is doubt, I'd pull the bullets in the batch.
 
rc is right. I have loaded quite a few thousand and still have not had a squib.

In making my own rounds, I consider it critical to make sure that I 1) dump the powder charge and then immediately set the bullet. This is the only way 100% prevent a no charge/double charge situation. I've spent a long time trying to create this powder drop/bullet set habit. If I drop a powder charge and then get interrupted, then I dump the powder back into the hopper, reset the case, and start over. I simply will not have a squib or double charge, and all of my actions during reloading have to be towards preventing error.
 
I too have had one squib. Loaded some 9mm on my Dillon SDB progressive, went shooting and one round went "pop" instead of "Bang!". Looked in the barrel and there was a 115 gr Berry bullet lodged about an inch in. Punched it out and all was ok. Couldn't tell if there was no powder in that case, or too little powder. Can't imagine what would have happened if I would have shot another round behind it. Never found another one in that batch with a double charge.

I'm thinking I'd like to rig up a little mirror so that I can easily see the powder charge that is dropped in each case.
 
When I'm loading on a single stage or turret (used as a single stage), I use a 50 cartridge loading block. I dump all cases by volume.

Then I TILT the block and (with a good light source), I visually inspect EVERY cartridge to make sure that A) all of the casings have powder and B) the powder charges are visually equal (no double charges).

At that point I set the block down and begin seating bullets.

Repeat for the next 50 when done.

This allows you to more rapidly load a batch of ammo, but does NOT sacrifice the visual inspection point.
 
Also when I'm loading on the Dillon 650, I have an empty 3rd station (where the powder check die would go.

The process on the Dillon is this:

* Visually inspect powder charge on empty station.
* Seat bullet on seating station.
* Pull handle
* Repeat

Each round is visually inspected.

I trust my own eye more than I trust a mechanical powder check die.
 
Progressive press or not, visually look in each case before seating a bullet. You will catch doubles or zeroes easy.

You got lucky this time. Next time maybe not so much.
 
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