First Squib Today

[WhippingBoy]

I had my first squib from my own loads today in my 1911.

Frankly, the gun would have exploded on the next round, but thank God, the stuck bullet was so close to the chamber that the following round wouldn't fit and the gun didn't go into battery. Not that I didn't try either, I hit the slide, cycled the gun, hit the chamber again, cycled again, but still the slide stopped 1/4 inch from closing. Only after complete unloading and looking into the barrel through the open breach did I see the obstruction.

I was doing rapid defensive shooting drills and I had absolutely zero sensation that the squib wasn't a regular ignition. Recoil seemed normal and the gun cycled normally. It just stopped running when the gun didn't go into battery and I did the stoppage exercises.

I've only been reloading for 5 months on a Lee Loadmaster and I thought I was being especially careful. I've shot 1500+ of my own ammo and this is the first round with no powder. I even have a 100watt light pointing right at the press, so I can see the powder level.

I've already gone to the gunshop and picked up a RCBS Powder Checker and I'm going to replace the crimp die with it (obviously after moving the bullet feeder/seater). That last crimp step seemed superfluous anyhow.

Is this all I can do then? Clearly I need to keep my eyes open longer. There's no TV, or radio, or other distraction in the loading room, but are there other tools, techniques to be suggested so this doesn't happen again? I really thought I was being careful, but something needs changing, clearly.

 

[EddieNFL]

I load .45 on a 650. Although I have a powder checker, I have trained myself to look in each case before seating. I don't have to move my head or body, just take the right stance.

 

[floydster]

That's why I built my own powder check alarm on my LNL, it works great.

Sure gives me peace of mind.

Floydster

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Had my first one this past weekend too. It was in a 7.5 x 55 Swiss round. Somehow I managed to load one round without any powder. I have no idea how this could of happened as load on a single stage RCBS Rock Chucker. I go from powder drop to 2 different scales and then to the press. When the firing pin hit the primer it just went "pop", no kick at all. There wasn't even enough pressure to push the bullet out of the brass. I figured it might have been a bad primer until I disassembled the round and found it empty and the primer spent.

 

[orionengnr]

I am a fairly new loader--2 years.

I don't use a Hornaday, so I am not familiar with the equipment, but the basics are probably the same regarless of platform.

Whenever I am starting or finishing a loading session, or clearing some sort of trouble during the session, that is the most likely time to experience either a non-charge or a double-charge.

So if I have to interrupt the process for any reason, I am on the alert and double check every step until everything is back on track again.

FWIW, I have loaded one squib and (I suspect) one double charge. If not, then lightning struck at exactly the same time that I touched off that one round

I really don't want to do either again.

 

[LiveLife]

I use Pro 1000 with auto index and since I always weigh the first several charges at the start of the session, the only way I can get a squib round is if I consciously stop the ram lever halfway down and push it back up so the Pro Auto Disk doesn't get a chance to drop the powder charge. I make a point to fully push down on the ram lever to ensure full charging of the case. I also have a bright light pointing into the case to inspect for powder level. You can also mount a small mirror/light to check for powder in the case.

Whenever I am starting or finishing a loading session, or clearing some sort of trouble during the session, that is the most likely time to experience either a non-charge or a double-charge.

So if I have to interrupt the process for any reason, I am on the alert and double check every step until everything is back on track again.

I tell new reloaders to progressive press that if they stopped their reloading cycle to remove a case or turn back the shell plate, they can remove all cases on the shell plate and start the progressive reloading cycle from the start - this eliminates the human error factor. Ones that follow this recommendation never experience squib rounds. Those that don't get some because they "assumed" the case was charged when they stopped the progressive cycle to check/fix something (removing a damaged/crushed case for example).

 

[Walkalong]

Good thing about a squib in an auto when shooting fast is it will not cycle the action. Unless you hand cylcle it and pull the trigger again, there is no danger. Not true with a revolver when firing rapidly.

I do not use a powder check die, although I made my own in the early days of my reloading. I see every charge I place a bullet over. That is my safety check.

I drilled a two step hole in my Projector and now my LNL to hold a light that shines down into the case.

I have trained myself to look in each case before seating

Yep. On some calibers I have to lean in a little, but the short fat .45 is easy to see into.

 

[WhippingBoy]

Good thing about a squib in an auto when shooting fast is it will not cycle the action.

If only that were true, the action did cycle.

 

[jmorris]

A powder check die will catch your mistake but if you are using a powder that does not bridge (most all pistol powders) and make complete up and down strokes you are 99% of the way there. All you have to do at this point is keep powder in the hopper.

Most problems that I hear of happen when people are fixing an issue on one stage or another and letting something slip by. If this is you, clear all of the stations out on the reloader and start over. It might take more time but it costs less than your blown up pistol and or body.

 

[James2]

To avoid squibs I always load the powder and put the charged case in a loading board. When the board is full, I hold it under the light and look into each casing to visually check powder levels. Only after I have ascertained that each one has powder and no doubles, will I seat bullets. I also make sure to move any uncharged brass out of reach while seating bullets. No squibs! Ever! They are not acceptable.

I have not used a progressive, but I assume there are ways to check the powder level on them too. Just make sure to do it!

 

[Jim Watson]

I hate to see a post about a "first squib."
It almost assumes there will be a second squib.

Take precautions to be sure each and every cartridge contains one and only one powder charge.

 

[rondog]

I had two in one day on two different 1911's, one a Colt, one a Rock Island. Both got a stuck bullet, which I didn't notice, and then fired another round into. Neither blew up, but swelled the barrels and the bushings locked up the slides when they hit the bulges.

Near as I could figure, my grandson had "helped me out" by making a couple of rounds when I wasn't around, and I'd had the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure set to the "off" position. No other damages, but sure did piss me off. Now, when I have the press set up for loading, I put a bicycle cable on it and lock it up.

 

[Walkalong]

If only that were true, the action did cycle

Hard to believe, but I guess it could happen. Light springs set up for light target loads? The couple I have seen did not cycle the action in a 1911.

 

[Old Shooter]

FWIW, I have loaded one squib and (I suspect) one double charge. If not, then lightning struck at exactly the same time that I touched off that one round

Good way to phrase it, I'll have to remember that one.

 

[LiveLife]

WhippingBoy:
If only that were true, the action did cycle

Walkalong:
Hard to believe, but I guess it could happen. Light springs set up for light target loads? The couple I have seen did not cycle the action in a 1911.

Just the primer alone won't cycle the slide with the stiff recoil spring in the Glocks - just "Pop" noise.

Perhaps it was a squib with a bit of powder in the case?

 

[Walkalong]

I read so many problems with light loads and cycling, it seems to me that a Squib (super light load) would not cycle the action.

Perhaps a test is in order. See if I can go lighter and lighter until a round sticks and see if it cycles. I have an old 1911 barrel I can use. Won't mind pounding a stuck slug out of it.