I was going to add a comment to a great thread already started on a squib, but felt that this one may need its own

I also had a squib, a few years back, which the primer fired, but the powder didnt ignitge. Fortunately, I didnt shoot the next round.

The powder was caked in the brass. It didnt just fall out.

I believe that the cause was actually me.

These were not my reloads. These were from a premium manufacturer.

Some of the lubricating gun oil used these days have a penetrating nature, and I believe over time, the oil worked its way around the bullet into the powder.

Think about the thin oil used on oxidated screws. It works its way down the screw shaft to help loose the screw

I usually shoot my practice ammo, and reload my carry bullets after the practice setting

I typically run my weapons a little "wetter" than others.

In the past few years since this event, I am using much more grease, vs lighter oil

I am also buying and rotating new carry ammo on a regular basis.

Just my 2 cents, but something to think about

Did the round actually move at least part way down the barrel?

Unless you're running your magazines dripping with oil, as you describe your shooting practices, there's not much way for the ammo you are using to be exposed to penetrating oil or other lubricants -- UNTIL a round is chambered. And chambers and feed ramps generally aren't all that "wet" regardless of how much oil is used elsewhere in the weapon.

While it is possible that gun oil somehow kept the powder from igniting, I think it's far more likely you just had a bad round. It happens with factory ammo, too.

Hopefully you've never used WD-40, it does penetrate and should never be used in firearms maintenance. Don

Perhaps -- although there are a lot of claims to the contrary, including some folks who have left ammo soaking in WD-40, who claimed not to have problems. WD-40 makes contrary claims on their website, and has testimonials there from reputable gunsmiths, etc. Maybe everyone is making claims without offering supporting proofs?

I don't really have a dog in this fight -- but I keep seeing folks make this anti-WD-40 claim without offering any kind of evidence. The only time I use WD-40 on weapons is when I'm trying to get rid of water (if the gun has been immersed), and I follow that with something like brake cleaner -- and a good CLP-type cleaner/lube.

The folks who make these claims, for either side of the argument may be right, but I'd like to see evidence to support these claims-- other than anecdotes like, "my Uncle Fred's shotgun and H&R revolver got all lacquered up, and wouldn't even fire," or "grandaddy used WD-40 since it was introduced, and never had a problem."

But, EVEN IF WD-40 could cause problems, how is the ammo going to be contaminated if you the shooter is just loading rounds in a magazine and firing them?

I am purely guessing as this was a first to me, after many years of shooting and reloading

The powder was caked like some moisture (or oil) got in.

I dont put any oil on the magazine, just a liberal amount on the action. I try to wipe off the extra.

The bullet was about an inch down the barrel (from the primer)

I knocked it out with a wooden rod

being a cheap sort, I typically shoot my reloads for practice and every few years buy a few boxes of HPs. I had rechambered the set of bullets a few times.

Did the primer also push the caked powder out of the case?

Back in the day, I used WD-40. It gave me hangfires in a Blackhawk.


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Rubbish! WD-40 is constantly given a bad rap with no basis in fact.

WD-40:
Was never intended to be a lubricant, but it does lubricate.
Was never intended to be a cleaner, but it does clean.
Will prevent gun powder from burning.
Will prevent primers from igniting.
Will burn if lit (kind of ironic don't you think?).

Just like any other oil, it will penetrate through spaces you never thought something could get through. If it gets on a cartridge, given enough time, it will penetrate through to the powder. Just about any other oil used on a gun will do the same.

However, if used properly, there will not be enough on the gun to cause any issue. Guys that have their guns dripping with oil are just wasting oil and potentially causing issues with the cartridges. Every molecule of oil you can see on the outside of the gun is wasted.

Magazines should never be lubricated. They don't need it and oil in a mag can cause problems with a cartridge. Even if you didn't oil the mag, excessive oil in the frame can migrate into a magazine and then into a cartridge. So, don't lubricate the mags.

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