Squib Load

[41rem]

Was shooting yesterday about 1/2 thru my 50 rounds. Got the soft POP and about zero recoil.

Ejected that case by racking the slide, empty case save for some unburnt powder grains & a bullet stuck in the bore just forward of the chamber. Load was following

Sierra 185 JHC
AA #5 @ 9.5 grains (book starting load)
Brass Mixed
Remington 2 1/2 primer
MV 1060 fps

Firearm is a Springfield Armory Range Officer Target. It's a full sized, all steel 45 with a 5" bbl

Think likely primer failure or a very light powder charge by me?

Was my 1st time reloading for the 45 ACP, but long time reloader


41

 

[Guy Miner]

It's real easy to throw a light charge or no charge while reloading handgun ammo.

Or for some real excitement to double-charge a case!

I don't know what happened in your case, but I'm awfully glad that you caught it. Kinda nice in the semi-auto that the squib wouldn't even operate the slide. Some folks shooting revolvers rapid fire don't even notice the squib load and keep right on shooting until the gun finally fails when a full power cartridge slams another bullet into the stuck one.

Regards, Guy

 

[41rem]

I don't know what happened in your case, but I'm awfully glad that you caught it. Kinda nice in the semi-auto that the squib wouldn't even operate the slide.

Regards, Guy

Thanks Guy.

I'm happy as well on the fail to eject, for sure makes you check things out.

I've never had one of these squibs before as I usually run fairly hot reloaded ammo in revolvers and factory ammo in automatics. My 1st forey into reloading 45 ACP

But l definitely understand what that sounds all about now

 

[Guy Miner]

BTW - I still love the good ol' 45 ACP. What a great cartridge!

Enjoy.

 

[41rem]

BTW - I still love the good ol' 45 ACP. What a great cartridge!

Enjoy.

It's a classic for sure. This is my 1st full size 45. And I'm loving it

Had a Star PD back in the day because I wanted but couldn't afford a Detonics. Then had a Para Ordinance commander sized P-13

 

[jimbires]

I did this at a state bullseye match . it's easy to load a squib . I use a progressive for pistol ammo . I was double checking the powder weight . I'd dump powder in a case then take that case out of the press and weigh it on my scale . I "THINK" I put the case back in the press , without putting the powder back in the case . the guy shooting beside me had a brass rod . I opened my slide , put the brass rod in the BBL , and banged it into the cement slab we were standing on . the Winchester large pistol primer pushed the185 gr LSWC about halfway down the BBL .

the pistol had no recoil , the slide stayed closed . I'm lucky I didn't rack it and fire the next round .

 

[truck driver]

I did this at a state bullseye match . it's easy to load a squib . I use a progressive for pistol ammo . I was double checking the powder weight . I'd dump powder in a case then take that case out of the press and weigh it on my scale . I "THINK" I put the case back in the press , without putting the powder back in the case . the guy shooting beside me had a brass rod . I opened my slide , put the brass rod in the BBL , and banged it into the cement slab we were standing on . the Winchester large pistol primer pushed the185 gr LSWC about halfway down the BBL .

the pistol had no recoil , the slide stayed closed . I'm lucky I didn't rack it and fire the next round .

Been there done that Jim. But I think mine was more than a squib since mine cycled a fresh round into the chamber and I fired the gun locking it up, cycling recoil all felt normal.

Some things to look for is a contaminated primer, sizing lube getting into the case before dropping the powder charge, spray case lube is good for doing that.
I also load on a progressive press and check powder charges during the loading process checking the weight of the charge but keep the case in my hand with a powder funnel on the case so I remember to put the powder back in the case.
I don't get in a hurry loading ammo and use loading for relaxation rather than high volume loading.

The pistol had a custom fitted tight lock up barrel job recently done and I don't think it went into full battery allowing the gas to escape threw the open chamber with enough pressure to cycle the next round into the chamber.
The barrel lock up was so tight that if you soft racked the slide it wouldn't lock up and I had just replaced the magazine for the next 5 shots in rapid fire.
The was 4.2grs WST with a185gr LWCHP, the match was a no alibi match. If you look close at the pictures you will see red and black marker showing the extent of the splits in the barrel. The splits relieved the pressure and only the barrel was damaged.
The pistol was the one I just got back from Jonathan Shue who went through it and basically rebuilt it with a new barrel and other things and parts.
The pistol had tens of thousands of rounds threw it before this happened.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Glad you caught it.