Unusual .223 Squibs

[iroquois]

For the past couple of months I've been experiencing a lot of squibs. When I eject the shell it's still full of powder and at the bottom the shell the powder is in chunks like rock candy. It's as if moisture got in the case.

I always clean the brass carefully and monitor the amount of case lube I use so I'm a little lost. I also store my ammo in ammo cans with silica gel.
Anyone here experience this issue?

[sofbak]

I had a similar event with pistol reloads the first time I added nufinish polish to the tumbler. I didn't let it churn a while before putting in the brass, and in a couple of cases there were "chunks" of corn cob and nufinish in the bottom.

could that be the source?

[bubbala]

blocked flash holes.

i'm not a proctologist but i did stay in a holiday inn

[iroquois]

I had a similar event with pistol reloads the first time I added nufinish polish to the tumbler. I didn't let it churn a while before putting in the brass, and in a couple of cases there were "chunks" of corn cob and nufinish in the bottom.

could that be the source?

I use a thumbler tumbler with stainless steel media. I then put my brass in a dehydrator for couple of hours to dry. I guess it's conceivable the brass might have had some trapped moisture. However, I'm really anal retentive about inspecting my brass under a magnifying glass before reloading. I do the same process with my pistol loads but never get squibs.
Maybe I should wait a couple of days before loading the cleaned brass to make sure there's no trapped moisture.

[74c5]

A dehydrator may not do what you think it is doing. Water will sit in crevices even at temperatures you might think it won't.
One of the main problems with powders is that their ignitability is easily diminished.

[FLIGHT762]

I use a thumbler tumbler with stainless steel media. I then put my brass in a dehydrator for couple of hours to dry. I guess it's conceivable the brass might have had some trapped moisture. However, I'm really anal retentive about inspecting my brass under a magnifying glass before reloading. I do the same process with my pistol loads but never get squibs.
Maybe I should wait a couple of days before loading the cleaned brass to make sure there's no trapped moisture.

I was going to ask you if you used "Wet" cleaning. You answered your own question. Your problem is not unique to those that use the wet media. Your cases are not fully drying out, that is what is causing the squibs.

[Bumslie]

I use a thumbler tumbler with stainless steel media. I then put my brass in a dehydrator for couple of hours to dry. I guess it's conceivable the brass might have had some trapped moisture. However, I'm really anal retentive about inspecting my brass under a magnifying glass before reloading. I do the same process with my pistol loads but never get squibs.
Maybe I should wait a couple of days before loading the cleaned brass to make sure there's no trapped moisture.

Are you decapping before tumbling?

[damndave]

Like others have said, the cases might not be dry.

[iroquois]

Are you decapping before tumbling?

I wasn't decapping before tumbling. I will give that a try.

Thanks guys!!!


R

[Bumslie]

I wasn't decapping before tumbling. I will give that a try.

Thanks guys!!!


R

Decapping with a universal decapping will make a world of difference. Letting them dry over night in a towel, they will be good to go the next day.

I've seen moisture in the primer pocket for up to 3 days after wet tumbling.

If you aren't already using one, make sure to get a media seperator, it will spin most of the water out. The overnight drying will take care of the rest.

[mark501w]

Try something new dry tumbling.

[SID45]

Make sure you have small rifle primer or try a different batch.

[damndave]

I wasn't decapping before tumbling. I will give that a try.

Thanks guys!!!


R

This is 99% going to be the reason for your problem. Water is most likely getting trapped in there and not drying.

I really don't see the purpose of wet tumbling if you leave the dead primer in. One of the main advantages of wet tumbling is getting a clean primer pocket.

[BigBronco]

Try something new dry tumbling.

Good one made me chuckle.

[Kmai24]

This is 99% going to be the reason for your problem. Water is most likely getting trapped in there and not drying.

I really don't see the purpose of wet tumbling if you leave the dead primer in. One of the main advantages of wet tumbling is getting a clean primer pocket.

+1^^..I'm not considered a "pro" at reloading nor am I near that but that makes perfect sense.