First squib

[1x2]

...it's like living in the 100 year flood plane. If you get washed away on Monday the odds are that you are OK for the next century, but you might get washed away again next monday.

Thanks.
(no squib yet)

Reading posts like this reinforces to me how critical sequence and cadence are, and NO interruptions. I don't allow myself to goof with or adjust anything while I'm reloading; rhythm is king. It also helps to place the finished loads in a 50-round plastic rack that come in the factory boxes, salvaged from the trash at the range. Plus my Lyman 1200 has a round counter, which I check against the loaded rack on every round. I use my Dillon 450 semi-progressively, so this works for me. I also take a break after every 50 rounds.

Though I do all these things, I still had the nagging suspicion that I'd done something wrong not long ago, so I weighed the whole 100 rounds, pulled the 3 lightest and 3 heaviest and whacked them apart with the kinetic puller, then weighed the powder in each one. They were all fine- but not because I was confident that I could tell by weighing them, as was posted a couple times above.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I've never had this happen with a firearm, and granted, I don't have the experience that 99% of the folks here do, so please bear with me and my noobish question:

What does one do when they realize they have a squib load? what kind of damage does this do to the firearm?

Thanks in advance.

NgNl

 

[Win75]

I had one squib load several years ago using a progressive press. I pay closer attention now but there is still always the possiblility of another. One second or two of inattention is all it takes.

 

[shil]

NGNL, we were all noobs at one time.
When you realize you've had a possible squib, first, cease fire immediately. Then, pull your magazine if an autoloader or open and unload your gun, then check for a bullet lodged in the barrel. If you find one, you'll have to carefully drive it back out with a dowel and hammer. If you can't open your gun, as happened in my case, and don't have the tools handy or a safe place to work, seek assistance. I was fortunate in that my indoor range has an in-house gunsmith. A squib, as far as I know, won't cause any damage unless you have a stuck bullet and fire again, slamming a second bullet in behind the first.

 

[Murdock]

Elmer Keith wrote many years ago that it is not possible to stop cycling the action of a DA revolver in rapid fire after hearing that nasty little click.

There's a nice little ring in my Brazilian M1917 that proves that out. It went bang, bang, bang, click, bang before I could stop. The gun still shoots well but I feel the ring every time I clean the gun.

The problem turned out to be that the powder measure on my Lee Progressive 1000 would stick at random intervals and not throw powder for a case or two. This after maybe 40,000 rounds or reloading .45 ACP and .44 Spl. on that press.

I don't know a way to overcome this other than checking the powder level in each case as it comes around. A PIA when loading a thousand at a time.

I have since switched to a Dillon 650 with a low-powder sensor alarm, but still pay attention to the powder level in the cases.

 

[Tbojo]

Thanks for the post shil - it reminds the many experienced members here including myself that mistakes happen - if it don't go bang or sounds or feels wrong - stop and find out why!

 

[Fishslayer]

So since I'm a newbie and already had one squib, does this mean I have 25 - 30 years to wait before the next one?

I had a squib on the 7th round of my reloading career.

I used a powderless but primed .357 case setting up my dies. I saw the thing sitting on my bench & considered tossing it. I knew what could happen. Nah...

Sho' nuff that thing found it's way into the box of ammo (I blame gremlins!). Fired six. YAY! Reloaded... Pffft. Huh? Bullet lodged in the CB gap. Range gunsmith tapped the bullet back into the cylinder. No harm no foul, lesson learned.