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Old February 16, 2013, 09:34 PM   #1
motoman202
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Join Date: February 12, 2013
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Squib problem.....

New to reloading and really just getting started. I loaded 10 rounds of 32acp today. Loaded up the magazine and they all ran as expected. So I decided to run a batch of 50 to take to the range. I ended up making 51. I went to fire the last round squeezed the trigger and heard a faint pop but to recoil and the bullet was wedged about half way down the barrel. Pulled the barrel out and knocked the bullet back out. It was black on the back side and smelled like a fired round. Just out of curiosity I grabbed another round and it fired normally.

Here is my set up and method.
Lee turret press with auto disk powder charging system.
I am using a charge disk with the "bolt mod" done to adjust the powder charge small enough

71gr FMJ
2.0gr accurate #2
OAL .960 (load date had a MIN OAL of .955 for max load)

I was very VERY sure to check each and every stage of the process. I tried to make sure that every case got a powder charge. I also weighed every 5th charge or so to make sure I was throwing an accurate charge. I also did a thunk test on every single round after they came off the press. And each and every round fell out of the barrel under their own weight. The only thing that was different between the round that misfired and all the others was the misfired round was a nickel case all others have been raw brass.

It has me a little concerned about the rest of my batch.
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Old February 16, 2013, 09:41 PM   #2
Dan Newberry
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I think that nickel case got you off your game momentarily and you didn't put powder in it... that's the most likely thing that caused the squib...

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Old February 16, 2013, 09:46 PM   #3
motoman202
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distracted by the shiny ....lol anything is possible.

what other factors could cause such a problem?
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Old February 16, 2013, 09:57 PM   #4
Brian Pfleuger
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Squib problem.....

It was a squib load... no powder. If it wasn't, the case would be full of unburnt powder.
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Old February 16, 2013, 10:12 PM   #5
serf 'rett
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The only thing which makes sense is no powder.
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Old February 17, 2013, 04:53 PM   #6
bamiller
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No powder. Hate to admit it but did the same myself.
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Old February 17, 2013, 06:03 PM   #7
Lost Sheep
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Location: Anchorage Alaska
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If you are looking for a reason a nickeled case would fail to cycle the auto-disk where brass cases did, I don't think you are going to find one until you run some experiments on your setup. Frankly, I don't think that is the source.

I believe the nickel case being the only one without a powder charge is coincidence (unless, as was suggested, having an odd case distracted you).

If you are concerned, you might consider batch processing. Having, as part of your quality control, a gang inspection of 50 cases all at once in a loading block for uniformity of the powder charge is VERY reassuring, even if it slows down your production rate.

Good luck.

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Old February 17, 2013, 07:51 PM   #8
Fire_Moose
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Re: Squib problem.....

Seconded. Or set up like this....



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Old February 18, 2013, 12:54 AM   #9
j357
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I will second or third the thought that you were light on powder.

Your OP notes that you loaded 51 then states that the offending bullet was #51. How can you be concerned about the rest of the batch when at the conceivable end?

Watch the process, load for safety.
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