So I had my first squib load at the range this afternoon. Really freaked me out. I try to pay attention to the sound of the round and the feel of the kick but nothing clued me in to a weak load or the bullet being stuck in the barrel. Thankfully the bullet was far enough back in the barrel that it wouldn't allow another round to be chambered. I hate to think about what could have happened if I were able the take another shot. I was using reloads as I was trying to save what range ammo I do have since I have a shooting class coming up that I need 500 rounds for. I only put 50 rounds down range and I had to leave. I was a little anxious after what had happened. Has this ever happened to you?
My First Squib Load
- Thread starter J.A.P
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Glenn H
Member
Sounds pretty scary. I've never had that happen. Where did the reloads come from? You roll your own or were they from someone else?
AzRedleg
Member
Yes it has happened to me before. I used some contaminated powder for some handloads. It is pretty obvious when it happens. Lack of recoil, sounds different, no hole in target. Was there a bunch of powder in the action of your pistol or was it clean? Sounds like a primer only round since the bullet didn't actually make it down the bore far enough to allow another to chamber.
I have used other's handloads in the distant past. I generally don't anymore unless it is someone who I have observed load before and know well, and even then I typically use one of their firearms to shoot them, not mine.
I have used other's handloads in the distant past. I generally don't anymore unless it is someone who I have observed load before and know well, and even then I typically use one of their firearms to shoot them, not mine.
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Been there done that.You will be much more conscious of the sound now.
BruceM
Member
J.A.P.:
I have a question and there is no right or wrong answer. Was your squib loaded on a progressive press?
Starting an informal study.
Bruce
I have a question and there is no right or wrong answer. Was your squib loaded on a progressive press?
Starting an informal study.
Bruce
I bought the reloads from the range. Not sure who made them or the process they used. I'm done with reloads though. It looks like I'll be getting gouged and buying them from individual's taking advantage of a bad situation. Capitalism at its best! azRedleg, arjay can you tell me what happened with the squib load, were you able to chamber and fire another round or did you realize you had one and knew better than to fire?
I've had two out of a single batch of reloads.This was after 30 years of reloading with no glitches.The first one stuck between the cylinder and forcing cone and tied up the revolver,but I hadn't noticed a difference in the sound so I had no clue.The second happened a few weeks later and I heard the difference,had a short dowel in my range bag,tapped it back into the cylinder and was back shooting in a few minutes.Haven't had one since then.
One should always take a cleaning kit to the range. If you get a squib, you push it out with a cleaning rod, inspect the barrel, and keep shooting. 
I was shooting a friend's reloaded cast-lead .45ACP ammunition the last time out, when I had a failure to fire. After waiting the requisite time for a hang-fire, I ejected the round and found that it had no primer. Doh!
Gave him a little good-natured **** about it. Just a little mind you, because he had a full 50-cal ammo can of reloaded .45ACP that I was shooting by the handfuls.
I was shooting a friend's reloaded cast-lead .45ACP ammunition the last time out, when I had a failure to fire. After waiting the requisite time for a hang-fire, I ejected the round and found that it had no primer. Doh!
Gave him a little good-natured **** about it. Just a little mind you, because he had a full 50-cal ammo can of reloaded .45ACP that I was shooting by the handfuls.
After 30+ years of reloading, all on a single-stage press, I can proudly say I've never had a squib--yet. A couple of dud primers, but no squibs.
And it's not just (commercial) reloads that have problems, those brand new, hot off the factory presses have their share also. Look at the number of ammo recalls in the past few years.
And it's not just (commercial) reloads that have problems, those brand new, hot off the factory presses have their share also. Look at the number of ammo recalls in the past few years.
I have experienced two squibs, both commercial loads. One Double Tap 9mm +p and one American Eagle .38 special.
None of my handloads has ever "surprised" me.
It is essential to pay attention to what's happening and stay focused when you shoot.
Mike
None of my handloads has ever "surprised" me.
It is essential to pay attention to what's happening and stay focused when you shoot.
Mike
Titegroups
Member
Did the squib cycle the slide? Usually thats the advantage of the autoloader if you have a squib that the slide wont cycle. With a revolver the bullets tend to get stuck between the cylinder and barrel in the forcinh cone and lock them from turning but not always, you have to be aware enough to stop the natural reaction to try again before checking the bore. Sounds to me like there was no powder in that round. If it dont go bang dont just cycle the slide, check the bore.
crankyoldlady
Member
I have had one squib. And it was FACTORY ammo.
Loaded a full tray (50 rounds) of 357 mag ammo with no powder. Dumped the "loaded" rounds into a 50 caliber ammo can of loaded ammo that was part of an on going reloading session of about 700 rounds. I was using a RCBS Rockchucker, OPERATOR ERROR.
The bullets stuck between cylinder and forcing cone -- 50 times.
The bullets stuck between cylinder and forcing cone -- 50 times.
Squib's
As part of my range gear I always carry a brass rod that is bore size for 38's, over the years I have had to clear numerous "poof" rounds from shooter's guns on the line. Back in the day when agencies shot reloaded 38's from the lowest bidder, it was not uncommon. I was teaching a basic revolver class for citizens once and had a young woman drive 4 38 cal bullets up into the bore of her 3" revolver, before she lodged one in between the cylinder and forcing cone, tying the gun up.
Her boyfriend had loaded her ammo for the class. I had to take the gun back to the shop and drill out the compacted lead projectiles that were smashed together in the bore.....really glad that she didn't have a fully charged one light off with the bore obstructed. Have seen that happen and it isn't pretty.
I never did like buying reloads from anybody, if I am going to shoot reloads, then they are going to be mine. I know who to blame then, if they don't go "bang".
As part of my range gear I always carry a brass rod that is bore size for 38's, over the years I have had to clear numerous "poof" rounds from shooter's guns on the line. Back in the day when agencies shot reloaded 38's from the lowest bidder, it was not uncommon. I was teaching a basic revolver class for citizens once and had a young woman drive 4 38 cal bullets up into the bore of her 3" revolver, before she lodged one in between the cylinder and forcing cone, tying the gun up.
Her boyfriend had loaded her ammo for the class. I had to take the gun back to the shop and drill out the compacted lead projectiles that were smashed together in the bore.....really glad that she didn't have a fully charged one light off with the bore obstructed. Have seen that happen and it isn't pretty.
I never did like buying reloads from anybody, if I am going to shoot reloads, then they are going to be mine. I know who to blame then, if they don't go "bang".
I won't mention a name, but I have a friend who experienced a squib load in a Colt pre war OP Target with a long barrel. He proceeded to fired five more rounds behind it and then reloaded, and fired a seventh round before tying up the gun. He has never lived that one down.
Printer
US Veteran
Hey J.A.P,
Never happened to me. We did many endurance tests at Smith, where we had hundreds of boxes full of fully loaded magazines. We would shoot all day long, as fast as you could pull the trigger, and I never had a squib. All we shot was "factory fresh fodder". Not to worry, you probably wouldn't have got hurt. The worst I've ever seen was a split barrel. It does make it a little hard to get the slide off and the barrel out. Happy shooting. Bob St.George
Never happened to me. We did many endurance tests at Smith, where we had hundreds of boxes full of fully loaded magazines. We would shoot all day long, as fast as you could pull the trigger, and I never had a squib. All we shot was "factory fresh fodder". Not to worry, you probably wouldn't have got hurt. The worst I've ever seen was a split barrel. It does make it a little hard to get the slide off and the barrel out. Happy shooting. Bob St.George
andyo5
Member
I wonder whether reloading a case with a split rim could cause a squib resulting from loss of pressure in the case.
Had that happen to me, twice, shooting .44 Specials in a Model 29. The range was one where shooters had to use the range's reloads. Both had enough oomph to clear the forcing cone. The range's owner cleared both of them from the barrel for me. After the second one, I gave him the rest of the box back. (He didn't charge me for the ammo and range time.)
Many years ago
Many years ago I tried what was called 'factory reloads'. They were SO inconsistent I haven't used any other reloads than my own, since.
Many years ago I tried what was called 'factory reloads'. They were SO inconsistent I haven't used any other reloads than my own, since.
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