First Squib

[TazTJ]

Got my first reloading Squib a couple of days ago

I was loading some 125gr HP Plated bullets with 4.3 gr of Universal. I had some done at 3.5g Bullseye (soft, accurate), 4.0g Bullseye (little more pop to them, still accurate). Then came the Universal 4.3g loads. First one was very quiet, felt less powerful than the 3.5 Bullseye, no hit on the target. Stopped, unloaded the cylinder and looked down the barrel from the cylinder end...it was dark. Looked down from the muzzle end and saw the bullet looking back and me. Stopped shooting the 19 and was able to remove the bullet with a range rod when I got home (of all the days NOT to bring my range rod with me to the range!!!). I did try 5 more 4.3 Universal's out of my 686+ 3" and they all went bang with full power and good accuracy.

When I got home, I removed the lodged bullet and weighted every other round in that batch with around 1.5grain total max deviation (197.1grains to 198.6 grains). I am guessing these should be OK to shoot; I am using a LCT with the Auto Drum. I was weighing random charges and may have forgotten to re charge the case after weighing the powder.

 

[moxie]

Every reloader needs at least one squib!

A few hints:
1. Don't weigh random charges. Have a rhythm, say, every 5th or every 10th.

2. After you charge loads, put them in a loading block. When done, inspect all loads with a bright light. The low/empty or high charges will really stand out. Go up and back down each row, then turn the block 90 degrees and go up and down that way.

 

[TazTJ]

I am loading on the Lee Classic Turret with the Auto Index; I check each case after the powder charging station and if it looks low or different, I check it on the scale. I like Universal over Bullseye because it fills a bit more of the case and is a lighter color, so it's easier to see inside the 38 special cases. Guessing I forgot to add the powder to the case and dumped it back into the hopper instead.

 

[Mcwsky09]

When I weigh charges I put the empty case on the scale and zero the scale then charge that case and weigh the full case - if its good it goes back on the press to finish the cycle - if not it gets dumped and back up a step.
Not that it would be impossible to make a mistake - especially if there are distractions but when loading on my Lee Classic Turret - I visual inspect every round for powder level before setting the projectile.
I did have a small batch of .45 that was giving me inconsistent results on the scale and at first I thought it was the scale but then discovered my auto-disk had come loose so I pulled down the entire batch.
My SIL has one case he made on my press before he got his own which we thought was a light strike at the range but when I too it apart the primer had popped and there was no powder or burnt powder residue in the case and the projectile had not come out of the case - at the time I figured it must have been a total lack of powder and the primer vs crimp etc wasn't enough to push the projectile out of the case - but I suppose it is also possible that the case was not deprimed from the previous firing and also got no powder - but that seems like it would be a pretty rare combination - if the only case he missed charging also was the only case that didn't have a live primer in it. (Don't recall if he primed separately or if we did that during the lesson - and if it was a distraction that resulted in the lack of a charge in that case it was likely me distracting him during the teaching process).

 

[Clovishound]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but the best answer to this problem IMO is a powder check die. They are cheap insurance. The easiest way to end up with an over/under is when you are weighing charges. .38 cases are notorious for being difficult to see exactly how much powder is actually in the case unless you use something like trailboss.

 

[Rocket3]

Right of passage,

You did the correct thing at the range Taz.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

800-X is another powder that's pretty easy to see in a .38 Special case...

 

[Nevada Ed]

4.4 grs of Universal will work in my M49 "Snub nose" revolver with a 125gr LEAD cowboy design bullet at +/- 600fps.

I don't know if that light of a load will clear the friction of a long 6" barrel, though?

In my 6" 5.5grs of Universal does 965fps.
880fps is my minimum in long barrels with "Copper" bullets.

Glad that you got er fixed.................

 

[Imissedagain]

I've had one in almost four decades and it was a few years ago in 38spl. No powder and the bullet lodged between the cylinder and forcing cone.
Excess case lube can be another cause for new loaders.
I use a brighter light since that mistake.
Most KABOOMS seem to be with progressives and semi-auto pistols.

Live and learn.
You did good.

 

[Speedo2]

I've been using a Lee classic turret (LCT) with the auto-disc since January and have noticed on several occasions that the auto-disc doesn't immediately spring back. This will most often self correct while the turret is rotated to the seating position and is accompanied by a spring-twang noise. When that happens, I'll weigh the next powder charge regardless of where it occurs in by QA regime (weighing every 10th round). The delayed spring-back doesn't affect the drop weight (....'cuz it's volumetric and apparently unfazed by the minor seismic event).

However, on a couple occasions, the auto disc didn't retract for the entire cycle and the next cartridge was left without powder. My QA regime also includes visually inspecting each case for powder level before inserting the projectile, and I've caught a few that would otherwise have escaped with no powder charge and thereby avoided the resulting squib effect.

Not saying that's what may have happened to Taz, but that has been my experience with the LCT and maybe should be considered. Moral of the story: it's necessary to look into each and every case for powder level prior to inserting the bullets on an LCT. -S2

 

[DWalt]

Not that it's often needed, but one item I always carry in my range bag is a 6" 5/16" bolt (wrapped with tape) along with my assortment of pliers, screwdrivers, a small hammer and some Allen-head wrenches. I have trained myself to stop and check immediately if any shot seems even slightly out of the ordinary. Be especially careful if you shoot rapid fire with a revolver. I think that's how most bulged barrels occur. And that's why my DA rapid fire is intentionally not that rapid.

 

[AlHunt]

Every reloader needs at least one squib!

I've never, ever had a squib.


Because of this:

2. After you charge loads, put them in a loading block. When done, inspect all loads with a bright light.

I'll admit to a couple that just didn't go bang at all. I blame poor primer seating for those.

 

[rwsmith]

I've had duds...

But not squibs and I'm glad nobody posting up til now has lost anything due to an overcharge.

 

[SMSgt]

You say "first squib" like you expect others. Never had one in 40 years of loading.

 

[daniel lawecki]

If you reload you will have a squib it's a matter of time. I don't think having a squib makes you a member of a club. It' not a right of passage to a club. Those who reload miss up I have after reloading and casting since 1979 it happens. Thank yourself you didn't fire another round. Will it happen to me again I hope not but with age who knows. I'm not perfect and can say from time to time **** happens. Like shooting a bad group or trying a load that may not shoot good. I reload thousands and thousands of rounds on a progressive press for many different calibers. Sorry for the rant get a powder cop or a lock out die and be safe my friend.

 

[Skeet 028]

I once loaded some very light loads..very light Shooting them out of my ol M-36 I got down to 3/4 of a grain of Bullseye before I had a bullet stick in the bbl. Using upside down 148 gr Hollow base bullets a full grain went bang every time and hit the target. Don't remember why I did the whole thing. Otherwise never had a squib...and hope I never do. Glad you caught it

A friend (goober) had a 45 Colt squib with a Judge. Fired another round and parts went everywhere. I have the rest of that box of ammo...Told me I could have 'em..nothing to shoot 'em in. Nah..I won't shoot 'em

 

[gnystrom]

You did very well and are textbook example of why we as range officers, reprimand our customers from shooting rapid fire. I have has a couple over my 55 years shooting and seen dozens of them on the range, fortunately no problems.

 

[TazTJ]

I was surprised at it and at first wasn't sure if it was a normal shot or not. I had shot some rounds with 3.5gr Bullseye just prior and they were quieter than I was expecting, but at least I saw the hole on the target! Last year I ran into some squibs in .22lr rounds and they went "Psssht" sound wise, this one sounded about as loud as a .22lr. Always pays to be safe and check more while both reloading and shooting at the range!

 

[MJFlores]

Long ago I taught myself to do this: When you charge a case, before the funnel comes off the case my right hand already has a bullet to cap the case off. Obviously I'm using a single stage press. It's been good insurance making sure every case is charged, and only once. Knock on wood, in over 25 years I've never had a squib. Hopefully I'll continue my reloading record.

 

[kbm6893]

Only been reloading for 2 years but I do not believe I will ever have a squib or an overcharge, simply because I am so meticulous in my reloading practices. I reload on a single state press and do not ever see that changing. I load no more than 50 rounds in a session and I weigh every charge. I'm in no rush. I used to charge 50 and then do the flashlight check but spilling a case as I moved it to the block with the other charged cases changed my mind about that. So now I weigh powder, inspect case to make sure it is empty as the scale settles, dump the powder into the case, and then immediately seat the bullet. When they're all done I crimp them seperately. I can do 50 rounds in about 30 minutes. As I said, I'm in no rush.