First squib

[mac tm]

With embarrassment, I had my first squib the other day testing some mouse farts for Mrs. Mac Tm. (She isn't a shooter, but she really likes my Ruger, especially light loads). I think the problem was just too light of a load, but I'm curious what others have to say.

Powder level was visually checked each case. Charge was confirmed on 2 scales. Lee Auto Disk on top of auto indexing LCT.

38 Special
Charge: 4.2 gr W231
Primer: CCI 500 small pistol
OAL: 1.45"
Bullet: Rainier Ballistics 125 gr flat point
Gun: Ruger GP100 6 inch

Winchester data shows starting load 125 gr J.H.P at 4.1 gr.

 

[joem1945]

Difficult to say. Could have been a bad primer or blocked flash hole. I think anybody that reloads will have a squib sooner or later.

 

[Walkalong]

When shooting very light loads powder position can be a problem sometimes. Was the barrel pointed down just before the shot?

 

[Jim Watson]

Yup.
I had a stuck bullet (after a couple of funny sounding shots that should have warned me) with the same load except a coated bullet instead of plated.
Starting from low ready just threw the powder to the base of the bullet too far from the primer to ignite.
I reseated the remaining bullets as deep as they would go; all fired normally in any position.

 

[mac tm]

Walkalong, yes and no.
Load cylinder, barrel down first shot- squib.
Unload and clear.
Reload, barrel down, 3 normal shots. 4th round squib. Unload, clear and go home.

 

[kcofohio]

mac tm, I have never shot 38s out of a 6" barrel, as mine are either 2" or 4". But I would bump it up, as you are riding the low side. Not sure what the next disk size would give you. But with a heavy gun like the GP, I can't see it making much difference recoil wise.

 

[Jim Watson]

Was there loose powder in the gun AFTER the squib?

 

[mac tm]

Yes, there was loose powder, but it seemed like it was half burnt/discolored.

 

[egd]

I shoot 4.2 gr w231 with a 124 gr bullet in 9mm- a much shorter case. So i could see where the powder would all go to the front of your case and not ignite with enough pressure.

 

[japike]

I did some playing recently with almost exactly the same load:

38 special
W231
CCI 500 small pistol
1.455 oal
Berry's 125 gr flat point
Ruger SP101 4 inch

Here's how it went:

4.0 gr light crimp = squib
4.2 gr light crimp = squib
4.5 gr light crimp = squib
4.5 gr medium crimp = 2 good then one squib
4.5 gr heavy crimp = 7 good shots

That's as far as I've gotten in my testing. I want to pull a heavy crimped bullet to see what the plating looks like but, I think I'm going to give up on plated bullets in light loads. That's what lead is for. I'll save the plated for medium loads.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

 

[styles]

Wow! I think the aa2 loads I shoot at mins are less than the equip of 4 w231. But I crimp .003

 

[mac tm]

I had previosly loaded a near identical recipe with the only difference being a 158 gr Berry's plated with no problems. I guess I need a heavier charge under the lighter bullet. Seems counter intuitive.

 

[murf]

switching to bullseye, or a similarly fast powder, might help if you want consistent light loads.

murf

 

[fireman 9731]

Trail Boss is also a great powder for light loads. It fills the case so you get good ignition.

 

[hdwhit]

Thank you for sharing this. Reminding people to be alert for squibs when they're shooting can save someone from getting seriously injured.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

I've had bullets clear a barrel that i thought never would. But those loads should have cleared easily if all components worked properly and the load was close to 4.2gr!

Heck I've pushed 38sp out of a 4" barrel with 3.0gr of 231.

Possible powder contamination? That would be my guess. But something don't sound right.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[Shaq]

The squib was likely caused by a powder charge that would be OK with a lead bullet, but not a jacketed or plated bullet.

There is much more resistance in the barrel with a plated or jacketed bullet; that's why there are warnings about using light target loads with plated or jacketed bullets. And, the longer the barrel, the more likely a squib.

Mid-power loads are as light as you should go. Save the light loads for lead.

 

[herkyguy]

Had my first bad reloaded round a few weeks back. It was a 100 grain berry's .380 loaded with 2.9 grains of 700X if I'm not mistaken. I've shot hundreds of this same load over the past few years without much trouble.

Anyhow, pulled the trigger and .....nothing. I ejected the round and found a good solid primer strike. I tossed it, not wanting to goof around with a potentially compromised round, but I suspect a bad primer.