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Posted: 6/30/2008 7:23:57 PM EDT
I made a trip to the range this past Saturday…everything was going well…I had 300 rounds that I loaded with Tight group. Then all of a sudden…CLICK…I thought I just had a dud. As it turned out it was a squib. I don’t really remember feeling any recoil…or the puff of black smoke that happened with my last squib round. None the less…it chambered another round about half way into the chamber…I’m glade the bullet didn’t go down the barrel any further or I may have had a kaboom. This is the second squib round in a couple of thousand I’ve loaded…so hopefully that isn’t too bad. Just a reminder WATCH those loads guys. I use a progressive press and I watch every round as it comes around to seat the bullet…guess I had a moment of lack of attention and missed one.  |
99% of the time a squib didn't have any powder, usually a primer fires or not, but if there's no powder for it to ignite, not much happens, except the potential for an accident. |
I've loaded close to 100,000 rounds and have NEVER had a squib load. I started on a Dillon 550B press and any progressive makes it highly unlikely to not charge the case with powder (with the least bit of attention). I would say two is two too many, considering how very dangerous this can be. Bore obstructions are the single greatest cause of firearm blowups. 
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by the way, use a wooden dowel rod to knock out the squib - get a rod that is just smaller than the barrel diameter, and keep it in your range bag with a hammer. dont use a cleaning rod, it is too small a diameter and it deflects off the bullet stuck in the barrel....been there, done that, learned my lesson to be careful!!! god luck |
Another thing a rod can do is go into the bullet and lodge the bullet tighter in the bore. BTDT many moons ago. learned my lesson the hard way. 'Borg |
What I was suggesting was: Perhaps a bad lot of primers. Bad Q.C., that perhaps led to a "less then energetic" spark that wasn't able to light off all of the powder. Though, I admit that it's extremely rare (w/o possibly, some other thing(s), going on). But, YES, 99% of the time, no pwder. And most times it's either, it does or it doesn't. Then, I wonder sometimes about vehicle owners that buy will only "special X brand" of spark plugs (or a higher voltage coil or special ignition wires) for their vehicle and claim better MPG (over a properly functioning stock set up)........but, that's really another subject. So, say the primers were X brand..........would you trust them to prime your match ammo? Well, maybe not THAT lot. And........YES, squibs are/can be an indicator of BAD RE-LOADING practice. As you said: No powder. Or, as I'll add (from experience).........WET (or moist) powder not being completely burnt. Hey, now that I've mention it.......that's NOT a PRIMER FAULT.  MY BAD.Aloha, Mark |
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Ive had 2 squib since starting to reload. I am sure that there was little to no powder in them. I have also had a couple of light charges, the bullet exited the barrel but the slide did not cycle. Either way if it dosnet sound right stop and look. It is better to be safe and still have your gun then to be sorry and a F'ed up hand, from a KB. MAHA |
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Quoted: i reload and this scenario is aways back on my mind , is a squib strong enough to unseat the bullet and jam it it the barrel to where you need to knock it out with a cleaning rod side question how do you posts pics ???[/quote] Insert Tags row, third button from the right is for pics, second button from the right is for posting links. Your pic must be loaded in photobucket, or elsewhere. Go to photobucket, copy url of pic, back to arfcom, hit pic button, paste in pop up.  3 SP-101's, 22 on top, 32 mag center, and 357 Link to the post Pics tutorial. Welcome to the reloading forum. 
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txharleyrider, if these were truly squib loads (as in very little or no powder), and it certainly sounds like they are, then you need to take a step back and either review your reloading methodology or cast a hard eye on your reloading equipment. 'Cause there is a huge flaw somewhere. Two squibs in only several thousand rounds is way, way to many. Using a Dillon 650 I've reloaded tens of thousands of rounds and I've never had a squib. Hell, even the lame-assed Lee Pro 1000 I had before the Dillon never produced any squibs. What press are you using? Have you caught any other empty cases coming out of the powder drop station? You mentioned that you 'missed one' like there have been others. |
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I've been reloading for around 45 years now, I shot competitively for years, and am shooting in competition again now, probably around 100,000 or so, the vast majority of it in 38 special. In all those years I have loaded 1 squib, a lot of people try to blame progressive presses, and I've loaded most of my ammo on a Dillon 550, but my single squib was loaded before I bought the Dillon in 1985. |
| This is why I say to use the powder with the most bulk and always seem to have a idiot say go with a low bulk powder . IMR-700X is one of the best powders on the market and it is bulky and you can see it in the case . If you are getting 2 squibs in a 1000 round run reloading may not be for you . The scary thing is some time someone else may be firing your gun with your reloads and could end up with a serious injury . I have been on a range when a squib blew up a gun and the guy almost lost his hand when it set off rounds in the mag . |
I'm using a Lee Pro 1000. I know...not the best...but it's what I can afford...as for there being others that would be no...I have a small light velcroed to the press...it shines into the case as it comes around from the charge drop...to the bullet seating die...as I said...I just missed one with a moment of lack of attention. I will make sure that EVERY case has a charge you can bet on that. As they say...learn from your mistakes.  And I agree...2 is to many. I'm sure it was a lack of powder and not just undercharged.
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You would be correct. I mainly posted this so any newbs...and I consider myself still a newb too...would see that they have to be very careful. I knew some would blame the press...to lite of a charge or maybe reloading isn't for me, And nothing against those people...they have much more experiance than I and I have learned a lot from this forum...so with that said...if you are new...learn from my experience |
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The good thing is, you understand what happened & will take immediate corrective actions. The concentration level while reloading needs to be as high as when you handle a firearm. Nobody ever intends to have an accident. Good on you for posting about it, as it may help prevent others from a careless moment. Though I've been handloading for almost 20 years with a single stage press, I just picked up a Dillon RL 550B this evening & your post has helped me remember to focus on paying complete attention to this new, progressive gizmo, whenever I can get it set up and functional. Thanks very much for the post!! 
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If you get into the habit of looking into the case in station three just prior to setting the bullet in place, you will never have a squib load. You will quickly learn the pattern and rhythm of progressive reloading and a quick glance will tell you exactly where you are at in the loading sequence following a distraction or interruption. Always diligent, however.
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I had 4 or 5 squibs in the first batch of ammo I loaded on my 650. It was operator error, and I haven't had it happen since then. It's a lot easier than you think it is with a progressive. There's a lot of stuff going on at once. txharleyrider, I don't know exactly how the lee powder station/measure works, but slow down a bit and make sure you go all the way up and all the way back down with the handle. |
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I am fairly new to reloading and haven't started loading large quantities yet. I weigh every round after I get done. So far just 1 squib in the first batch I ever made, the scale caught it. I realize this may become impractical once I start rolling out 100s at a time. |
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Good Topic! I've been loading since I was 15 and I'm 59 now. Never had a squib....yet. Still on a single stage. One thing I started doing (about 30 years ago) is checking my charged rounds with a small flashlight to verify fill. Takes but a second. I have excellent lighting in my loading room but the flashlight (Surefire) really helps to confirm. I too have seen squib rounds at the range and it's scary to see folks who don't realize what has happened. I've hollered at more than one person to check their weapon before continuing. Safety first gentlemen. Again, good topic! Midlength |
Haven't seen you post before, welcome to the reloading forum Midlength. |
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