Method to test for Squibs?

[Rubes&Spike13]

[edgerly779]

I process my brass and then charge with powder then use light to inspect cases in the tray. Easy to spot any that are not charged. Only good for single stag loading though. I am loading 300 aac right now. 147 fmj and E tip non lead.

[tvfreakarms]

Maybe weight the ammo. Obviously if there is no powder, it would weigh less compare to other reloaded ammo.
It's a slow method.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[plinkr]

Maybe weight the ammo. Obviously if there is no powder, it would weigh less compare to other reloaded ammo.
It's a slow method.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

That won't work for pistol, variation in bullet+case weight is greater than powder charge.

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

[tvfreakarms]

Oh really? That's terrible.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[freonr22]

Powder Cop??

[NeilMo]

Powder Cop??

Yep, if someone is absent minded, there's only two methods to stay safe. Buy a powder cop or stick with new factory ammo.

[JackEllis]

Hi All,

My question is if there is a way to test/check for squibs without powder? I thought to weigh each loaded round left in this batch to see if they were in range of each other (trying to identify a round without powder) but when I did, the range varied greatly by .5gr to several grains. I weighed Winchester white box 230gr and only varied by about .5gr.

I use a single stage press and only load rifle cartridges.

I batch process up to the point where I'm charging and seating . Then I charge one case, seat the bullet and spot check OAL once I have the seating die dialed in before going on to the next case. I do it this way for a couple of reason. First, I tend to be a bit clumsy and I worry about knocking over a tray of charged cases without bullets in them. Second, I don't have to worry about being absent minded. Third, I can stop at any time (like when my wife calls me for lunch) and then pick up again without having to remember which cases have been charged.

My way may not work for everyone but it seems to be reasonably foolproof so far.

[ar15barrels]

Hi All,

I’ve reloaded thousands of pistol rounds and just experienced my second squib on a .45acp load (230gr FMJ precision delta, HP38, CCI LP #300’s, once fired mixed brass). Round essentially wasn’t loaded with powder. This got my attention because the bullet lodged in the barrel just beyond the chamber and fortunately couldn’t get into battery causing a much worse situation.

My question is if there is a way to test/check for squibs without powder? I thought to weigh each loaded round left in this batch to see if they were in range of each other (trying to identify a round without powder) but when I did, the range varied greatly by .5gr to several grains. I weighed Winchester white box 230gr and only varied by about .5gr.

Anything else I may be able to check or just shoot and wait for abnormalities?

I’ve seen what can happen shooting behind a squib round. Some guns explode while others shoot out both bullets without catastrophic failure (of course damage to the firearm usually). Any physics experts have any explanations?

Shoot and wait for abnormalities.

You can weigh them all and set aside the ones that are at least half your powder charge lighter than normal and shoot those carefully.
The ones that are the heaviest are the ones least likely to be squibs.

Weigh a few dozen of the bullets you are running as well as the different types of brass you are loading and you will see why there is so much variation in loaded cartridge weights.

You might consider moving to a press with a powder charge checking station that will set off an alarm if you miss or double the powder charge.

[hermosabeach]

I say stop




No powder = embarrassing


Double charge = new gun, hand skin grafts, multiple hand surgery



Fix your process

How did you get a missed powder charge?

Could this same process lead to a double charge?


Does your powder have enough volume so a double charge overflows the case?

[Trakker]

Definitely stop. You have quality control issues. Not worth the injury. Think about the explosion in your face. Get a bullet puller for a single stage press. Not a kinetic puller.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rubes&Spike13]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions folks. 2 squibs out of 15k reloads is still probably better than factory! 2 is still more than zero which is why I came here

Batch process and checking all my rifle cases for powder is great and is my process. For pistol, I run a progressive press and guessing I stopped in the middle of process. I am extremely careful about not double charging but may not be as cautious for empty cases needing powder

[Rubes&Spike13]

Shoot and wait for abnormalities.

You can weigh them all and set aside the ones that are at least half your powder charge lighter than normal and shoot those carefully.
The ones that are the heaviest are the ones least likely to be squibs.

Weigh a few dozen of the bullets you are running as well as the different types of brass you are loading and you will see why there is so much variation in loaded cartridge weights.

You might consider moving to a press with a powder charge checking station that will set off an alarm if you miss or double the powder charge.

[Rubes&Spike13]

I say stop




No powder = embarrassing


Double charge = new gun, hand skin grafts, multiple hand surgery



Fix your process

How did you get a missed powder charge?

Could this same process lead to a double charge?


Does your powder have enough volume so a double charge overflows the case?

[tanks]

I run a Mark VII Revolution now with a powder checker. When I used to run a Dillon 1050 with no powder checker I did a camera setup. Total cost was maybe $70. Here it is: