Squib load

Ratbert

Ratbert

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 18, 2007
2,341
1
48
Concord, NC
#1
Had my first squib load today. Was wondering if anyone could let me know what probably happened.

Load was a 223 using LC brass w/ CCI Primers. 62gr BTHP 'MilSpec' in front of 22.3gr of H322 loaded 2.255" COAL

When I pulled the trigger all I heard was a sort of high-pitched "pffftttt" kind of like the sound of letting the air out of a small balloon. I let it sit for a while, just in case, and when I ejected the case it and primer looked normal. The bullet was fully engaged in the rifling, with marks all the way back to the boattail. Took a fair bit of force to pound it out. The back of the bullet showed burnt powder residue so it doesn't appear that it was a case of no-powder.

These were the first rounds I've loaded with my new Hornady progressive though this particular round was about the 20th or so assembled. At the moment I'm operating under the conclusion that I only got a partial charge but I'm wondering if there was something else that might have caused this I should look out for.
 
#2
Re: Squib load

Well, if a shitload of unburnt powder didn't come out with the case than you more than likely didn't get a powder charge in that round or only got a small one. Based on my experience, I would say you had no powder in it at all. Even the slightest bit of powder would have got the bullet out of the barrel. Squibs rarely happen when there is powder present in the round. The discoloration you saw on the bullet is probably from the primer which has more than enough ass to seat that bullets into your rifling and a lot of times a good way up the bore. Be real careful beating a squib out, it's a real easy way to fuck your rifle up for good. If you must beat it out, do it with a brass rod.
 
#3
Re: Squib load

I used a carbon fiber rod with a brass fitting.

When I fired I'd assumed that it was a no-powder situation, there was just so much burnt residue on the neck and bullet (nothing excessive, but the neck/case basically looked the same as all my "successful" cases) that I assumed there must have been at least some.

Live and learn, I guess.
 
#4
Re: Squib load

Sounds like no powder charge at all was dropped into the case. The primer has enough power to send the bullet into the rifling. The burn't residue is likely just from the primer.

James
 
#5
Re: Squib load

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ratbert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I used a carbon fiber rod with a brass fitting.

When I fired I'd assumed that it was a no-powder situation, there was just so much burnt residue on the neck and bullet (nothing excessive, but the neck/case basically looked the same as all my "successful" cases) that I assumed there must have been at least some.

Live and learn, I guess.








</div></div>

Great idea on the CF rod. I have one here and never would have thought of that. Then again, I'd never load a squib either. ;-)
 
#6
Re: Squib load

Until I got this progressive, I'd individually weighed every single charge of the thousands I've made and I'd never had a squib either
laugh.gif
 
#7
Re: Squib load

You have to make a point of seeing that each load gets the right charge of powder when dropping it from the press. Even worse than the under charge is the dreaded double charge that sometimes occurs when loading handgun cartridges on a progressive from inattention, a distraction or a foul up that takes you off your rhythm. Thank God it hasn't happened to me yet. I have loaded a couple empties before though none of the bullets exited the case.

I keep a light positioned as I bob my head side to side to make sure the primer is right side up and then left to make sure the case was filled correctly.

Sounds like yours was a "no charge" but I am puzzled by the fizzle you heard.

 
#8
Re: Squib load

Set up a small mirror and a light so you can look down each case after the powder
drop or get the powder tell tale die. Light charges can be worse than heavy in some
cartridges. We have a doctor up here who blew up a .243 on what is thought to have
been a light load. He was hurt pretty bad as well.
 
#12
Re: Squib load

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jimmy2Times</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...the slightest bit of powder would have got the bullet out of the barrel. Squibs rarely happen when there is powder present in the round. The discoloration you saw on the bullet is probably from the primer </div></div>
Exactly!
 
#16
Re: Squib load

after all these years i find myself back working on a rcbs single stage press an my T mag.. i started with a spar T an moved on to orangeT mag an then finally a 550B dillion
one day i had a louder then normal BANG.. opening the bolt was normal but the case had no primer in it .. quit an went home to find the some cases had almost 5grs powder more then they should have an some the same less then they should
another time i had five mis fires all in a row.. i blamed the primers
when pulled the bullets to my surprise they were empty.. now i don't crimp an the bullets never moved at all .. both times this happened in my 700 243
i felt pretty lucky so far
so now it safer for me .. 0ne At A Time
 
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