Squib Load

[41rem]

Was shooting yesterday about 1/2 thru my 50 rounds. Got the soft POP and about zero recoil.
Case ejected, I think, can't quite remember the sequence. But on later inspection the empty case had 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.

 

[Hunter26]

It's scary when that happens. Luckily I've only had that happen twice. Once with a .45 ACP reload where I forgot powder and the other with a factory 9mm. The 45 went off and stovepiped and the bullet lodged in the barrel just enough to keep the next round from chambering all the way and saved my bacon. I would have pulled the trigger again. Looking back, it definitely felt different and that should have been my que to stop and assess. The 9mm was factory Federal and I was shooting my qual for work. The round felt funny and the case dribbled out the ejection port. Remembering my past experience, I called a cease fire and checked my gun. The bullet exited the barrel but just barely. I don't think it hit the target.

If you shoot and/or reload enough, it will probably happen. Just always remember, that if it feels different, stop and check everything out before pulling the trigger again. I've since removed distractions from my loading bench and installed lighting on the progressive press so I can physically see that powder is in the case. So far so good!

 

[diverdown]

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

I've been reloading for many years with a single stage press. In the past I loaded a "lot" of 45's but now I'm strictly with 9MM. I know it's a lot slower process with the single stage but I normally load 100 rounds at a sitting which takes roughly 1 1/2 hrs. The advantage is when I load 50 rounds with powder out of the 100 and place them face up on my table next to the press I check each and every one by visual to insure they have powder and aren't loaded short with powder. That's what I consider instant safety.

 

[mjcmichigan]

I did it. Was using tightgroup on my 45acp.
I threw a light load. I think it was 4.5 or 5.1 grains.(autodisk). The flake powder would make it catch sometimes… guess I missed one. Switched to a bulky powder so dropping about 8 grains now.

FIL saw a squib and saved a 357. The bullet was protruding at the muzzle. Shooter didn’t realize it, but was alert enough to not fire when cease fire command was given.

Good heads up!

 

[41rem]

Yup, was embarrassed to admit it but that's exactly what happened to me, except for the stovepipe, mine ejected clear.


"The 45 went off and stovepiped and the bullet lodged in the barrel just enough to keep the next round from chambering all the way and saved my bacon. I would have pulled the trigger again. Looking back, it definitely felt different and that should have been my que to stop and assess"

Heck of a lesson to learn & by the grace of God no damage to me or the 45.