My first squib

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gspn

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After shooting my .41 mag the other day my buddy asked me "did I fire five shot or six?" I told him to pull the trigger again and we'd find out. He drops the hammer...no bang. Must have fired six.

I go to unload and I can't turn the cylinder (Ruger Blackhawk). I can see something is blocking it...hmmmm.

I get home and tap a dowel down the barrel and it frees it up. I thought maybe the brass had stretched enough to block it...but out pops a loaded round. Primer had been hit...we never heard a thing.

I pulled the bullet and no powder. I then weighed the remaining bullets to make sure nobody else got a double charge. Everything checked out. I just let one slip through with no powder.

This has me rethinking some of my procedures. I'm going to get a light and look all the way down in to make sure everyone got a charge. A double charge would stick out with my current method...but a lack of charge obviously didn't. Procedures, procedures, procedures.

I got really luck in that the bullet didn't have the umph to get into the barrel...AND that it was the last bullet in the cylinder. I had to think of what would have happened under other circumstances.
 
It happens..

I know the feeling--I have a S&W 27-2 at my gunsmith now getting a new 6" barrel fitted. I bought it knowing that it had a slight bulge about 1 1/2" forward of the cyl..Believe it or not, the Smith shot real well, even with the bulge.:what:;) Bill.
 
Use loading blocks.

1. 50 primed cases go in the block mouth down. (you can also inspect the primers at the same time)

2. As each one is picked up and charged, they go back in mouth up.

3. When all 50 are charged, inspect & compare charges under a strong light.

4. Then plug all the holes with hand started bullets. (prevents spilling powder in the other charged cases if you drop one)

5. Take them to the press for seating.

That has been my method for nearly 50 years.
And so far, I have never ever had a squib load, or a double charge.

rc
 
1. 50 primed cases go in the block mouth down. (you can also inspect the primers at the same time)

2. As each one is picked up and charged, they go back in mouth up.
Click to expand...

My rule is cases don't go on the loading block until they're filled. All cases on a loading block are filled cases. This is is a little less labor, because you can just grab an empty case out of a box, rather than handling each case twice to fill it.

I check the primers as I seat them. But for a final check, I give the loading block a shake after it's loaded up. A proud primer will make the case wobble.
 
Thanks for the advice guys...I'll be taking it to the bench with me.
 
The batch load process is easier with two loading blocks. One is full the other is empty. Perform a step and move the case from one block to the other.
 
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