First squib load

[TomReloaded]

I've only gotten squibs with titegroup, and only with light loads!

Part of it is that the lee auto disk doesn't like to meter light loads of TG. On the small hole, its not consistent and instead of not cycling the slide like every other powder does on a light load, it just squibs.

Squibs in a semi auto are no big deal at all. Toss a dowel down the barrel and hammer it out. Since the slide doesn't cycle, you would have to manually rack the slide, clear the obviously empty brass, and load in a fresh one and fire.

I think i've gotten around 1gr of WST powder to push a bullet out of the barrel on a 40sw. Obviously wont cycle, but no squib either. TG just fails entirely once it gets low, which is pretty weird.

[Calif Hunter]

I had some very light .38 SPL rounds that would stick in a revolver barrel. Very light crimp as they were plated bullets, too. Obviously, too light a load and the pressure bled off due to the cylinder gap as well.

[Dirtlaw]

No it wasn't. It was supposed to be.


It happens. Good that you caught the malfunction and took appropriate steps to investigate before continuing.

I try to tell people that if a gun misfires, check that it is safe before continuing. Most don't. Pretty damn simple to stick a cleaning rod through the barrel to ensure it's clear - lot cheaper than replacing a barrel and possibly slide, and/or frame. Alternatively, turn your phone flashlight on, place it at the muzzle, and look for light on your thumbnail at the breech.

Home Depot sells oak doweling in 4-5 foot lengths. I think the smallest diameter is 1/8 inch. Get the largest size that will fit your bore and you're all set. Oak won't cause any damage to your barrel and it's relatively cheap.

[noylj]

You know, for a squib you either have NO powder or your powder was "killed" somehow.
If there is no power pouring out the gun, you didn't get powder in the case.
LOOK in every charged case to ensure powder height is about the same as previous rounds, this way you KNOW every case has powder and they all have the proper amount. If you can't look, then get an RCBS Lock-Out die and use it.
By stupidity, I loaded five rounds of 9x19 with 1.2 gns of Power Pistol. Knowing that, I made sure that the bullet exited everytime. No issues, gun even functioned -slowly, and I got a 2.25" group at 25 yards. Very little powder is needed to get a bullet out the barrel.

[divingin]

Home Depot sells oak doweling in 4-5 foot lengths. I think the smallest diameter is 1/8 inch. Get the largest size that will fit your bore and you're all set. Oak won't cause any damage to your barrel and it's relatively cheap.

I prefer a brass rod for removing a bullet from the bore. I've seen wood splinter and jam up a bullet more than it previously was (happens more with rifle than pistol, but still...)

FWIW, the cleaning rod statement was to see if the bore was clear, not to drive out a bullet. If the rod doesn't go through, something's stuck in there. You can use a rod, and it will sometimes work to clear a stuck bullet, but you'll likely be buying a new one afterward.