blades67
Member
I had my first squib while at the range Friday. What a genuine pain in the arse!
How long have/had you been reloading before you had your first squib?
How long have/had you been reloading before you had your first squib?
Pop, no bang.
- Thread starter blades67
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redneck2
Member
When I was first setting up my Dillon...
the powder measure would get jammed with powder and wouldn't cycle correctly
not uncommon...we have a brass drift rod at our range to knock out squibs
biggest problem is the 2nd bullet coming down the barrel behind it
rapid fire with squibs = rapid disassembly
I've leaned that ANYTIME I "lose rhythm", I remove all the rounds and finish them one at a time
the powder measure would get jammed with powder and wouldn't cycle correctly
not uncommon...we have a brass drift rod at our range to knock out squibs
biggest problem is the 2nd bullet coming down the barrel behind it
rapid fire with squibs = rapid disassembly
I've leaned that ANYTIME I "lose rhythm", I remove all the rounds and finish them one at a time
Trsnrtr
Member
My second box of ammo had some squibs due to a stuck powder measure. That was umpteenity thousands of rounds ago and, knock on wood, hopefully my last. I now sit where I can see into the case before I set the bullet. I caught a double charge that way once, also.
Good Luck.
Nanook
Member
I've been lucky so far, haven't had a squib load yet. But I could see it happening if I wasn't paying attention on the Dillon. If you really get cranking, you could miss not charging a round. I've had primers get sideways and get set in the case like that. That's not good.
labgrade
Member In Memoriam
Had my first a couple weeks ago - darned progressives. almost 40 years of reloading.
Primer pushed the HBWC into the forcing cone of the 19. Locked the cylinder up tight.
Stuffed a Bic pen down the barrel & tapped with a block of wood. Fixed & back in business.
Something to think about when out woods plinkin' though.
almost 40 years of reloading.Primer pushed the HBWC into the forcing cone of the 19. Locked the cylinder up tight.
Stuffed a Bic pen down the barrel & tapped with a block of wood. Fixed & back in business.
Something to think about when out woods plinkin' though.
Flash Hole
Member
21 Years - 0 Squibs
I work hard at being lucky
JOHN
I work hard at being lucky
JOHN
Patriot
Member
I have the powder check on the Dillon 650 and it helps.
It alarms for no powder and double charges. You can also "visually" see where the rod extends too for a normal charge and then notice if the rod is low or high. Even though the alarm does not sound, you can see a few grains difference.
It alarms for no powder and double charges. You can also "visually" see where the rod extends too for a normal charge and then notice if the rod is low or high. Even though the alarm does not sound, you can see a few grains difference.
"How long ...?"
I learned my lesson soon after I started reloading for .357 Mag with a new, to me, powder, H110, and a standard CCI primer. Bad combination. Although all the other rounds fired ok. It was definitely a squib and not a failure of the powder measure or measurer since there was plenty of powder in the case, and in the cylinder, and behind the bullet stuck in the barrel, and on the floor, and ...
Hadn't had a squib before (approx. 26 years) and haven't had one since.
I learned my lesson soon after I started reloading for .357 Mag with a new, to me, powder, H110, and a standard CCI primer. Bad combination. Although all the other rounds fired ok. It was definitely a squib and not a failure of the powder measure or measurer since there was plenty of powder in the case, and in the cylinder, and behind the bullet stuck in the barrel, and on the floor, and ...
Hadn't had a squib before (approx. 26 years) and haven't had one since.
bfoster
Member
I once loaded a whole box of 100 38 Special squibs.
I had previously loaded these cases with "wax wads". The cases were mechanically clean (tumbled), but not chemically clean. They'd probably have been OK had I used them immediately, but they sat on a shelf for several months prior to attempted use. Apparently the paraffin residue "killed" the powder. After the cases were cleaned with a degreasing product everything returned to normal.
Bob
I had previously loaded these cases with "wax wads". The cases were mechanically clean (tumbled), but not chemically clean. They'd probably have been OK had I used them immediately, but they sat on a shelf for several months prior to attempted use. Apparently the paraffin residue "killed" the powder. After the cases were cleaned with a degreasing product everything returned to normal.
Bob
My squib occured after I loaded my first 100 rounds on a Dillon 550 I got for Xmas last year. 9mm. Stuck in my 228. Since then I've added a goosnecked light that shines into the case at the bullet seating station, so I can visually check for powder.
I have had a least three. I had one many years ago when loading with a Lee Loader. The only thing I can figure on that is that I was using too light of a powder charge for the 8 3/8" barrel. It would be awful hard to forget to charge a case with a Lee Loader.
The second one I had was a 9mm about three or four years ago. The shot didn't sound or feel any different than the previous shot. I fired another round which was way louder than the rest with more recoil. I had fired the second round with a plugged bore. As best I can tell, there was no damage to the gun (A Ruger PC9 carbine).
The last one was really stupid. I bought a new/used S&W Model 27 with a six inch barrel. The dealer offered me a few hundred really light .38 Special reloads that he had loaded for cowboy action shooting but then changed guns and didn't shoot .38 anymore. I decided to try the gun out on the way home. I loaded a cylinder and fired a few shots at a piece of junk lying on the ground. I couldn't tell where it was hitting, so I hung up a target. I reloaded the cylinder and fired a couple shots on paper. Nothing. It was at this point that I finally punched in. The barrel was full of bullets from one end to the other. I ended up sending it to a smith to get it fixed. He removed the bullets and said there was no damge to the gun other than a gouge I put in the bore when I was trying to remove the bullets myself. He had another identical barrel, so I had the barrel replaced even though the smith fired the gun and said the gouge didn't appear to effect accuracy. I know everyone says to never shoot anyone else's reloads and I guess this is sound advice which I usually follow. However, I had fired this identical ammo several days earlier when shooting with the dealer. We had fired it out of a 2" barreled gun. We even chronoed it at something like 450 fps. On this one, again, I assume that it had enough oomph to get out of the 2" barrel, but not the six inch barrel. I fired the remaining ammo without a problem out of my 4" GP100.
So three "squibs" over about 20 years, but in reality, I believe that two of the three were caused by extremly light powder charges that fired as they should but did not have adequate power to overcome the friction of the bore.
I have also experimented with very light rifle loads using both cast bullets and round balls (buckshot pellets loaded into rifle cases). I have reduced the powder charge until I stuck a bullet in the bore, then added just enough powder so that I wouldn't stick the bullet. This results in an almost silent load that is quite accurate out to maybe 25-30 yards.
The second one I had was a 9mm about three or four years ago. The shot didn't sound or feel any different than the previous shot. I fired another round which was way louder than the rest with more recoil. I had fired the second round with a plugged bore. As best I can tell, there was no damage to the gun (A Ruger PC9 carbine).
The last one was really stupid. I bought a new/used S&W Model 27 with a six inch barrel. The dealer offered me a few hundred really light .38 Special reloads that he had loaded for cowboy action shooting but then changed guns and didn't shoot .38 anymore. I decided to try the gun out on the way home. I loaded a cylinder and fired a few shots at a piece of junk lying on the ground. I couldn't tell where it was hitting, so I hung up a target. I reloaded the cylinder and fired a couple shots on paper. Nothing. It was at this point that I finally punched in. The barrel was full of bullets from one end to the other. I ended up sending it to a smith to get it fixed. He removed the bullets and said there was no damge to the gun other than a gouge I put in the bore when I was trying to remove the bullets myself. He had another identical barrel, so I had the barrel replaced even though the smith fired the gun and said the gouge didn't appear to effect accuracy. I know everyone says to never shoot anyone else's reloads and I guess this is sound advice which I usually follow. However, I had fired this identical ammo several days earlier when shooting with the dealer. We had fired it out of a 2" barreled gun. We even chronoed it at something like 450 fps. On this one, again, I assume that it had enough oomph to get out of the 2" barrel, but not the six inch barrel. I fired the remaining ammo without a problem out of my 4" GP100.
So three "squibs" over about 20 years, but in reality, I believe that two of the three were caused by extremly light powder charges that fired as they should but did not have adequate power to overcome the friction of the bore.
I have also experimented with very light rifle loads using both cast bullets and round balls (buckshot pellets loaded into rifle cases). I have reduced the powder charge until I stuck a bullet in the bore, then added just enough powder so that I wouldn't stick the bullet. This results in an almost silent load that is quite accurate out to maybe 25-30 yards.
Neal Bloom
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 334
Happened about a year after I started reloading. I was shooting .357 mag out of a SP101 and after pulling the trigger there was a funny sound not a bang. I opened the cylinder and there was golden powder in the forcing cone and in the chamber. The bullet was about 1/2 inch up the barrel. Looked like the primer fired but the powder did not burn completely hence the golden look. Removed the unfired cartridges and fired them in a Blackhawk with no problems. When I got home I used a wooden dowel to remove the bullet from the barrel.
If I would have pulled the trigger again it could have turned nasty with a bullet stuck in the barrel. I gives thanks that I was paying attention and noticed the funny sound. Really made me consider and reevaluate reloading. I still reload and I keep the cartridge and bullet on the bench to always remind me of what can happen.
If I would have pulled the trigger again it could have turned nasty with a bullet stuck in the barrel. I gives thanks that I was paying attention and noticed the funny sound. Really made me consider and reevaluate reloading. I still reload and I keep the cartridge and bullet on the bench to always remind me of what can happen.
I had my first (and only) a little less than a year ago. Yes, it was a PITA, but now I carry a brass rod...and peek at the powder before I place the bullet.
In a revolver a squib can obviously be a problem with quick follow up shots. However, my squib did not cycle the action in my 45 auto to load a live round behind the bullet jammed in the barrel. I'm inclined to say that a semi is safer in that respect. What say you? Ever have a squib cycle the action?
In a revolver a squib can obviously be a problem with quick follow up shots. However, my squib did not cycle the action in my 45 auto to load a live round behind the bullet jammed in the barrel. I'm inclined to say that a semi is safer in that respect. What say you? Ever have a squib cycle the action?
Edward429451
member
I've had three squibs, two .45's and one .308. One .45 I have no idea how it happened but I caught it. The other .45 was from an old WW-II round that I pulled and reloaded just to see if it would be good, bad primer. The .308 was on my RL550B and bridged the 4064 powder charge, not dropping enough powder to cycle the action but did get the bullet out of the barrel.
Took 3 years and over 20K rounds before I ran into my first one. My only guess as to how it happened is being distracted while I was reloading. I normally keep a close eye on every operation while reloading. If someone comes into the garage while I'm reloading, I usually stop until they leave. Guess I didn't on that round.
blades67
Member
I didn't have a squib rod with me when it happened, so I used the full length guide rod to push the bullet back out. Then I launched the spring plug down range when reassembling the gun. I waited for the cease-fire and went down range to retrieve it. Once everyone was back and the line went hot I proceeded to launch it down range a second time! Third time was a charm I guess because I managed to get the gun back together without launching the spring plug again.
I was cool about it though, when I was retrieving the spring plug I was also picking up brass so that nobody would notice. I was getting away with it too until my shooting partner asked why I wasn't shooting. She may have stopped laughing by now.
so I used the full length guide rod to push the bullet back out. Then I launched the spring plug down range when reassembling the gun. I waited for the cease-fire and went down range to retrieve it. Once everyone was back and the line went hot I proceeded to launch it down range a second time! Third time was a charm I guess because I managed to get the gun back together without launching the spring plug again. I was cool about it though, when I was retrieving the spring plug I was also picking up brass so that nobody would notice.
I was getting away with it too until my shooting partner asked why I wasn't shooting. She may have stopped laughing by now.
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Trsnrtr
Member
Originally posted by blades67
Then I launched the spring plug down range when reassembling the gun.
rick458
Member
I had been reloading about 2 months it was a Speer 200 gr tmc swc the sucker turned half sideways before it came out I had to get my crown recut, then I had a double charge.
I nearly had a squib with some Corbon last month the 185 gr .45
I fired a box of them and got 3 LOUD pops to go with the 17 booms needles to say I ain't packing Corbon
I nearly had a squib with some Corbon last month the 185 gr .45
I fired a box of them and got 3 LOUD pops to go with the 17 booms
needles to say I ain't packing Corbondleong
Member
First "Squib" Round
My first "squib" round occurred just a few weeks ago, when I was working up a 38 Special load for my (then) new Ruger GP100. I put four test rounds in the cylinder; three discharged normally but the fourth one just went "click." I rotated the cylinder out of the frame and Unique powder spilled onto the bench. The 125 gr. Rainier bullet had lodged just inside the barrel. Apparently, the primer had gone off but not ignited the powder. A quick tap on a wooden dowel inserted from the muzzle end of the barrel freed the bullet.
(By the way, I put squib within quotes as I was not sure if the term applied to a failure by the primer to ignite the powder in a properly charged cartridge, as opposed to a cartridge with no powder.)
DL
My first "squib" round occurred just a few weeks ago, when I was working up a 38 Special load for my (then) new Ruger GP100. I put four test rounds in the cylinder; three discharged normally but the fourth one just went "click." I rotated the cylinder out of the frame and Unique powder spilled onto the bench. The 125 gr. Rainier bullet had lodged just inside the barrel. Apparently, the primer had gone off but not ignited the powder. A quick tap on a wooden dowel inserted from the muzzle end of the barrel freed the bullet.
(By the way, I put squib within quotes as I was not sure if the term applied to a failure by the primer to ignite the powder in a properly charged cartridge, as opposed to a cartridge with no powder.)
DL
rick458
Member
I believe if the bullet leaves the case and NOT the barrel you have satisfied the grounds for a Squib load
OKC .45 ACP
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2002
- Messages
- 15
NOT YET
I have patience, a Dillon XL650 with a powder check die, and compulsiveness in visually checking the powder before seating the bullet to thank for it.
Bob
I have patience, a Dillon XL650 with a powder check die, and compulsiveness in visually checking the powder before seating the bullet to thank for it.
Bob
rick458
Member
All of my reloading Boo Boos came when I was very green
one double charge was all the experience I needed , I do not rush anything, I always check the thrown wieghts on the progressive when loading session starts and randomly throughout the box or run, I hand charge every rifle case
even though I have 4 powder measures, and if I have a lot of problems with anything I walk away and think about it instead of bulling my way through it, I also dont reload unless I have plenty of time to do it.my body and my firearms are too nice to blow up.
one double charge was all the experience I needed , I do not rush anything, I always check the thrown wieghts on the progressive when loading session starts and randomly throughout the box or run, I hand charge every rifle case
even though I have 4 powder measures, and if I have a lot of problems with anything I walk away and think about it instead of bulling my way through it, I also dont reload unless I have plenty of time to do it.my body and my firearms are too nice to blow up.
Peter M. Eick
Member
My first squib was in a 38 special Diamondback about 25 years ago. I had loaded the ammo with a lee handloader and I had probably mashed the primer when I made them. It just went poof and jammed the bullet just past the forcing cone. No damage, but a lot of yellowish (as I remember) powder blobs that had to be cleaned out.
J Miller
Member
30 years and not one squib load.
Although I have had a few duds and hangfires caused by defective primers.
When I first started reloading I was scared by all the naysayers that told me of explosions, and destroyed guns because of double powder charges.
One gun shop had a destroyed Colt .45 SSA in the shelf. Cylinder fragged, no top strap, frame twisted. All because of a double charge in that big .45 Colt case.
I had been loading .303 Brit and 30-30 Win with a Lee Loader and so when I started loading handgun ammo I was absolutly paranoid about double charges.
I developed a system that I use to this day.
I use ammo trays and keep my cases open end up. After charging all the cases in each tray, I hold them up to a light and visually inspect ALL the cases to make absolutly sure all the powder charges take up the same space in the cases.
Because of my system I have never had a problem.
I still use a single stage press by choice. I have used Dillons but they just make me uncomfortable.
Oh, the first handgun cartridge I loaded for.................................
...........
.........
.......
....
..
.
The .45 Colt of course...
Although I have had a few duds and hangfires caused by defective primers.
When I first started reloading I was scared by all the naysayers that told me of explosions, and destroyed guns because of double powder charges.
One gun shop had a destroyed Colt .45 SSA in the shelf. Cylinder fragged, no top strap, frame twisted. All because of a double charge in that big .45 Colt case.
I had been loading .303 Brit and 30-30 Win with a Lee Loader and so when I started loading handgun ammo I was absolutly paranoid about double charges.
I developed a system that I use to this day.
I use ammo trays and keep my cases open end up. After charging all the cases in each tray, I hold them up to a light and visually inspect ALL the cases to make absolutly sure all the powder charges take up the same space in the cases.
Because of my system I have never had a problem.
I still use a single stage press by choice. I have used Dillons but they just make me uncomfortable.
Oh, the first handgun cartridge I loaded for.................................
...........
.........
.......
....
..
.
The .45 Colt of course...
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