Method to test for Squibs?

[tvfreakarms]

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:

You have money to burn owning a mark 7

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[Win231]

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

I knew you were loading on a progressive. Much faster but requires 100% of your attention with NO distractions.
That's why I batch load on single stage. No problems in 45 years of loading.
I use two different methods:
1. Powder charge (with a charge that fills at least half the case), then glance at the case, then seat/crimp.
2. Powder charge 50 cases at a time, check powder level with a flashlight.

[Win231]

Two experiences got me started in handloading (which I initially thought was too complicated for me):
1. When I was a beginner, a friend loaded some 38 spl. rounds for me & at the range, I fired one round that had no recoil & didn't sound right. While I stood there looking puzzled, a range employee ran up to me & yelled, "Don't shoot again." I wasn't going to, but I had no idea it was a squib. He looked in the barrel, pounded out the bullet & asked me where my ammo came from.

2. I was shooting an indoor range's ammo in my Sig Sauer 45. One round made a big flash at the ejection port. When I opened the action, a blackened case & a bullet fell out. Probably no crimp on the case & the bullet & case separated while feeding & maybe the ejector hit the primer & ignited the powder. I wasn't hurt - just some burned hair on the top of my hand.

After that, I started loading my own.

Another suggestion: Don't buy gun show reloads. I was browsing in a gun shop years ago. Someone left the door to the back room partially open & I saw several children around 8 - 10 years old loading on progressive presses. Cheap labor? That ammo probably ends up on shelves at ranges & gun shows.

[Mustard]

I load on a Lee Loadmaster and perform 100% visual inspection on my 9mm loads. Case feeder, primer feeder, and bullet feeder are automated so that frees up my brain to do only two things: run the lever, and inspect for powder.

As you know, the consequences can be pretty dire for a mis-charged round. So imo 100% inspection should be mandatory.

[bruce381]

Unless you laod on a tray and look at each case before setting bullet you need a powder checker die or a cop die otherwise this will happen again.
I run a 650 dillion with powder check station

[hermosabeach]

sure

I was in 8th grade and cousins were reloading with bullseye as it offered a great value- very little powder was needed....

2/3 of the cylinder stayed in their 357.... 1/3 cracked as harmlessly blew out



shooting 50 BMG, I had a hangfire... The instructor said-
take off your belt
look at your watch
wait 2 minutes... some ww2 era powder got wet and clumped... it can smolder and then ignite
Open bolt with belt- not your hand as 225-240 grains of powder is a big boom...




during a class I had an AK that failed to fire... checked the mag- rack flip and no bang- so I stopped... bolt was 1/4" out of battery... bullet from a prior round stuck in the bore...

--
Friend was shooting malayasian surplus 556... blew up his upper- all shrapnel contained in upper--- lugs of the bolt stayed in the barrel extension...

trigger and upper needed to be replaced.... barrel bulged and ruined the free float nut...

friend had a failure to fire in an PKM.... he ran the bolt and the round went off.... he did not wait... surplus ammo from the 1970s.... receiver ruined- POST Sample- $4500 in damage-


50 bmg with HSM ammo had a batch with soft primers.... pierced primer cut the bolt face on the rifle.... it was as smokey to the shooters eyes as a mag dump with an MP5-SD



--
I got lucky with the AK when it did not go into battery... I even bumped the bolt with my hand.... thinking it was desert sand.... I got lucky...

[Rubes&Spike13]

Looks like a visual inspection with a slight change in process is in order. The change will probably increase total time to reload drastically but more important to keep safe. I would bet that these issues with ammo in general have caused a lot more catastrophies than most are willing to admit (not many are willing to talk about their dirty laundry). But certainly appreciate the responses and experiences. If we can’t talk about what went wrong after an unexpected outcome with anything in this world, how can we be progressing wisdom and our species at the highest potential possible?? OUR mileage may vary...

[divingin]

OP: So you fired a round, and the next round wouldn't fire due to non-chambered round due to a stuck bullet? You didn't notice the difference in report from the squib? Did the primer cycle the action, or did you have to rack the slide?

Stuff happens reloading, just like stuff happens with factory ammo. To ensure it doesn't happen often, you double/triple check what you're doing; that takes time. Then you notice no problems for x amount of rounds, and stop double/triple checking. And you go back to the beginning of this paragraph.

Realistically, there's a lot of faith involved in reloading: faith that your brass is up to the task, your powder is not deteriorated, your bullets are suitable, and primers are consistent. And that's just the stuff you have no control over. You have faith that your measure is throwing consistently, that your process charges each and every case only once. The less faith you have that those are happening, the more you check the progression of ammo through the process.

You still need to recognize when something untowards happens at the range. Not much you can do in the case of a double charge, but I cringe every time I hear of someone saying the next round wouldn't chamber because of a stuck bullet. Or a revolver guy saying a round didn't go off and the gun won't cock. If something feels different, stop and check that everything is safe before proceeding (primarily: barrel is clear.) You owe it to your health and the health of those around you.

[MarikinaMan]

you can weight each round or instead install a powder check if you have a progressive press.

[Rubes&Spike13]

OP: So you fired a round, and the next round wouldn't fire due to non-chambered round due to a stuck bullet? You didn't notice the difference in report from the squib? Did the primer cycle the action, or did you have to rack the slide?

Stuff happens reloading, just like stuff happens with factory ammo. To ensure it doesn't happen often, you double/triple check what you're doing; that takes time. Then you notice no problems for x amount of rounds, and stop double/triple checking. And you go back to the beginning of this paragraph.

Realistically, there's a lot of faith involved in reloading: faith that your brass is up to the task, your powder is not deteriorated, your bullets are suitable, and primers are consistent. And that's just the stuff you have no control over. You have faith that your measure is throwing consistently, that your process charges each and every case only once. The less faith you have that those are happening, the more you check the progression of ammo through the process.

You still need to recognize when something untowards happens at the range. Not much you can do in the case of a double charge, but I cringe every time I hear of someone saying the next round wouldn't chamber because of a stuck bullet. Or a revolver guy saying a round didn't go off and the gun won't cock. If something feels different, stop and check that everything is safe before proceeding (primarily: barrel is clear.) You owe it to your health and the health of those around you.

[ar15barrels]

[tanks]

You have money to burn owning a mark 7
...

It is worth every penny. At 3K setting I can have enough rounds done in a few hours to last me a bit.

[newbie1234]

What reload equipment are you using ?

- Single stage, then you have to visual "powder cop" when you applied powder.

- Turret , use this , at the certain angle you can see the powder inside the shell. You can find something similar to this one, just do not use the electric light near the powder.

https://www.amazon.com/Beyoxfath-Rechargeable-Reading-Lightweight-Bookworms/dp/B07WSHG6MJ/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3KKGYN0JR70WN&keywords=led+reading+light+portable+clip+book+light&qid=1579730426&sprefix=led+reading+%2Caps%2C236&sr=8-15

- Progressive loader - I don't know.

[MarikinaMan]

Just to add to my previous comment, I was operating my press and cleared a jam. Forgot to put back the powder bar rod. Continued to load.

I ran 100 or so rounds through a scale, and anything that didnt land on a decent average of known loaded rounds, got pulled. I got each one.

If you don't trust yourself doing this, don't.

[tvfreakarms]

It is worth every penny. At 3K setting I can have enough rounds done in a few hours to last me a bit.

The mark 7 costs is like 10k or something

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