Squib Detector - sooner or later it will happen to you.

Foxbat · January 25, 2008, 02:03 PM

Sooner or later you will make a round with no powder. Or worse yet - whole bunch of them, mixed with good ammo.

Bad news... as these are often hard to find. People shake them and listen... but this is often hard, as the charge can be small, and your hearing... well, let's face it, some of us are not exactly spring chickens.

But all is not lost, and there is a very simple way of finding the empty rounds among the good ones. You need to spend $15 on this listening device.

The microphone on this unit is on its top, so hold the round pressed to it, as shown in the picture, and shake the round length-wise. Make sure the headphones cord is not dangling freely, as it will create its own noise - simply tape it to the body.

Very quickly you will learn to spot a full round, an empty one, and the ones with just a small amount of powder, you will heat it all very clearly.

Grandpa Shooter · January 25, 2008, 02:35 PM

That is what I use to help me discriminate human voices from background noise. When watching a movie, if the characters are talking in reduced volume compared with the sound track, that device helps me greatly. Even if I turn the volume up on the TV it is still just gibberish. Mine cost something like $15.00. Good suggestion!

XD40Tac · January 25, 2008, 02:49 PM

There's a little bit of dirt under your thumbnail.

38 Super Auto · January 25, 2008, 05:41 PM

I have several squib detectors. Several are chambered in military calibers.

BigJimP · January 25, 2008, 09:02 PM

Get a press with a "powder check station" - and I'll firmly state that if you know what you're doing, you will prevent these problems 100% . Its not inevitable.

Goldy · January 26, 2008, 01:18 AM

Read on another forum where a guy uses his powder funnel. Just drop the funnel down over the base of the cartridge and shake by your ear. I tried it and it works very well. Cheap too.

**Unclenick** · January 26, 2008, 01:30 AM

But doesn't your head get tired of all that shaking?

I didn't realized someone had a current commercial variation on the early transistorized (now there's a word you don't often hear anymore) hearing aid. I built one for the grandfather of a girlfriend I had in college, though it was for regular headphones. They were the only way to get high fidelity back then (early 70's). The modern ear buds are surprisingly good, so this is a logical step back into the past.

Nick

MADISON · January 26, 2008, 10:52 AM

Been there---Dun That!
Get yourself a POWDER CHECKER DIE.
I can not get my RCBS Lock Out Die to work.

Alleykat · January 26, 2008, 11:04 AM

My RCBS Lockout Die works. Then, there's always eyeballs.

Foxbat · January 26, 2008, 11:31 AM

Never say never... after about 25 years and tens of thousands of rounds it finally happened.

The point is not how good or lucky you are. It is about the time you suspect there might be empties in the lot - what you do. I tried the funnel, for me it doesn't work - maybe my head is too heavy...

I have the Lock-Out die coming, and will try it, but I would have to re-arrange the dies on all the presses, and besides, I have total of about 9 complete heads... or ten... meaning ten times $55 (including shipping) for Lock-Out dies.

That is the price of yet another Glock.

Anyway, it took me just several minutes to sort through 200 rounds of .45's with this device, which I already had.

jmorris · January 27, 2008, 12:27 PM

Dillon’s powder check die will check for under as well as over charges. If you think a squib is inevitable then so is a double charge and that’s a much more serous scenario. $55, how much are your pistols worth?

Wuchak · January 27, 2008, 12:31 PM

Isn't the safest check to just weigh each round?

Weigh an unloaded shell, primer, and bullet first to find the empty weight for comparison.

grymster2007 · January 27, 2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Isn't the safest check to just weigh each round?

Weigh an unloaded shell, primer, and bullet first to find the empty weight for comparison.

Probably OK.... if you did this for each round. Otherwise, variations in brass, bullet and primer weight might well exceed the weight of the powder, making it impossible to do.

Foxbat · January 27, 2008, 04:21 PM

Randomly pulled two .45 cases - weight difference more than 6 grains.

grymster2007 · January 27, 2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Randomly pulled two .45 cases - weight difference more than 6 grains.

Yup! I've found 4 grains difference in a pair of 240 grain bullets... and I haven't looked particularly hard. If the variance in components can easily exceed the entire charge weight, better look for an alternative method.

T. O'Heir · January 27, 2008, 10:46 PM

The best 'squib detector' is the Mark I eye ball.

armoredman · January 27, 2008, 11:08 PM

Thank you for the idea, sir. I check for powder by storing empty cases I will fill upside down, then moving them upright to the next loading block after filling. After every one is right side up in the next block, I grab my $1.98 flashlight, and eyball the inside of each case for powder. After that is done, and overdone, when I begin loading bullets, I look inside the case right before putting it in the ram. Way overkill? Yeah, but worth it.
Thank you for the idea, might be something to snag from the "Seen on TV" aisle at Wally World.

Martyn4802 · January 28, 2008, 08:26 AM

T. O'Heir nailed it.
For ALL of my reloading, after charging cases with powder, I look down into each and every case to make sure all cases have powder in them. I have the cases in a loading block, and use a flashlight to look into each case.
I started reloading in 1948, and have been doing this ever since. I've never had a squib load.
The point here being, if you undertake to reload, you must be responsible for doing it correctly, by incorporating a step in your procedure to insure every case has powder in it. Reloading is a responsible task.

Martyn

Foxbat · January 28, 2008, 11:00 AM

Loading blocks don't work too well with progressive presses...

I guess those who never make mistakes don't need to worry about the Lock-Out dies or other detectors.

Jbar4Ranch · January 28, 2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldy

Read on another forum where a guy uses his powder funnel. Just drop the funnel down over the base of the cartridge and shake by your ear. I tried it and it works very well. Cheap too.

That would have been me. I posted it here too.

Works great and it's already on your reloading bench.

jmorris · January 28, 2008, 11:30 AM

I’ll have to admit I laughed when the though of a powder check die on a single stage entered my mind. The eyeball does work great when your not using a progressive press with tiny charges of fast powder that make up most competitive pistol loads. When you’re reloading by the 1000’s “weighing each charge”, to a progressive user, would be much like telling a single stage user to count out each individual piece of powder for each load. So, yes a powder check isn’t for everyone, but you also wouldn’t need a seat belt if you walked everywhere.

geezer in NH · January 29, 2008, 11:47 PM

I have loaded over 500,000 rounds of pistol cartidges on a single stage press. Eyeballed all powder charges in the block and have NEVER had a squib!!!!!

All you guys with the progressive preeses need the powder check alert and need to pay attention when loading or you will mess up.

Foxbat · January 31, 2008, 11:06 PM

OK... so we will miss one in twenty years. The risk? None. Slight embarrassment, that's all.

Single stage vs. Progressive... the OTHER Thirty Year War.

armoredman · January 31, 2008, 11:29 PM

No war, I just like my single stage, no issues with anyone who uses a turret or progressive. I load for fun, not for volume. No big deal.

Thesenator · February 1, 2008, 07:06 AM

Foxbat......there is great risk when you are firing a 900 round per minute machinegun or submachinegun. If the bullet goes far enough into the barrel to allow another to chamber behind it, it can be very expensive and dangerous to both shooter and bystanders.

I've seen and stopped several people on ranges over the years, who have had squibs in pistols and they didn't even know what happened as they were trying to rack another round into an obstructed bore. When I yelled ceasefire and went over to them and pointed out what had just happened they about $#it themselves.

I've pounded more than a half dozen lodged bullets from other peoples pistol barrels at the range just in the past few years. Most of them were new reloaders and didn't even know what the term "squib" meant. Thats a risk in itself.

January 25, 2008, 02:35 PM	#2
Grandpa Shooter Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Posts: 140	That is what I use to help me discriminate human voices from background noise. When watching a movie, if the characters are talking in reduced volume compared with the sound track, that device helps me greatly. Even if I turn the volume up on the TV it is still just gibberish. Mine cost something like $15.00. Good suggestion! __________________ Old enough to know better and way too old to care!

January 26, 2008, 01:30 AM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,733	But doesn't your head get tired of all that shaking? I didn't realized someone had a current commercial variation on the early transistorized (now there's a word you don't often hear anymore) hearing aid. I built one for the grandfather of a girlfriend I had in college, though it was for regular headphones. They were the only way to get high fidelity back then (early 70's). The modern ear buds are surprisingly good, so this is a logical step back into the past. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 26, 2008, 10:52 AM	#8
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	Squib loads.... Been there---Dun That! Get yourself a POWDER CHECKER DIE. I can not get my RCBS Lock Out Die to work.

January 25, 2008, 02:49 PM	#3
XD40Tac Junior member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Posts: 96	There's a little bit of dirt under your thumbnail.

January 25, 2008, 05:41 PM	#4
38 Super Auto Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: In God we trust Posts: 32	I have several squib detectors. Several are chambered in military calibers.

January 25, 2008, 09:02 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Get a press with a "powder check station" - and I'll firmly state that if you know what you're doing, you will prevent these problems 100% . Its not inevitable.

January 26, 2008, 01:18 AM	#6
Goldy Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 163	Read on another forum where a guy uses his powder funnel. Just drop the funnel down over the base of the cartridge and shake by your ear. I tried it and it works very well. Cheap too.

January 26, 2008, 11:04 AM	#9
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	My RCBS Lockout Die works. Then, there's always eyeballs.

January 26, 2008, 11:31 AM	#10
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	Never say never... after about 25 years and tens of thousands of rounds it finally happened. The point is not how good or lucky you are. It is about the time you suspect there might be empties in the lot - what you do. I tried the funnel, for me it doesn't work - maybe my head is too heavy... I have the Lock-Out die coming, and will try it, but I would have to re-arrange the dies on all the presses, and besides, I have total of about 9 complete heads... or ten... meaning ten times $55 (including shipping) for Lock-Out dies. That is the price of yet another Glock. Anyway, it took me just several minutes to sort through 200 rounds of .45's with this device, which I already had.

January 27, 2008, 12:27 PM	#11
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,078	Dillon’s powder check die will check for under as well as over charges. If you think a squib is inevitable then so is a double charge and that’s a much more serous scenario. $55, how much are your pistols worth?

January 27, 2008, 12:31 PM	#12
Wuchak Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 1,093	Isn't the safest check to just weigh each round? Weigh an unloaded shell, primer, and bullet first to find the empty weight for comparison.

January 27, 2008, 04:21 PM	#14
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	Randomly pulled two .45 cases - weight difference more than 6 grains.

January 27, 2008, 10:46 PM	#16
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The best 'squib detector' is the Mark I eye ball.

January 27, 2008, 11:08 PM	#17
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,480	Thank you for the idea, sir. I check for powder by storing empty cases I will fill upside down, then moving them upright to the next loading block after filling. After every one is right side up in the next block, I grab my $1.98 flashlight, and eyball the inside of each case for powder. After that is done, and overdone, when I begin loading bullets, I look inside the case right before putting it in the ram. Way overkill? Yeah, but worth it. Thank you for the idea, might be something to snag from the "Seen on TV" aisle at Wally World.

January 28, 2008, 08:26 AM	#18
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	T. O'Heir nailed it. For ALL of my reloading, after charging cases with powder, I look down into each and every case to make sure all cases have powder in them. I have the cases in a loading block, and use a flashlight to look into each case. I started reloading in 1948, and have been doing this ever since. I've never had a squib load. The point here being, if you undertake to reload, you must be responsible for doing it correctly, by incorporating a step in your procedure to insure every case has powder in it. Reloading is a responsible task. Martyn

January 28, 2008, 11:00 AM	#19
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	Loading blocks don't work too well with progressive presses... I guess those who never make mistakes don't need to worry about the Lock-Out dies or other detectors.

January 28, 2008, 11:30 AM	#21
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,078	I’ll have to admit I laughed when the though of a powder check die on a single stage entered my mind. The eyeball does work great when your not using a progressive press with tiny charges of fast powder that make up most competitive pistol loads. When you’re reloading by the 1000’s “weighing each charge”, to a progressive user, would be much like telling a single stage user to count out each individual piece of powder for each load. So, yes a powder check isn’t for everyone, but you also wouldn’t need a seat belt if you walked everywhere.

January 29, 2008, 11:47 PM	#22
geezer in NH Member Join Date: September 28, 2007 Posts: 80	I have loaded over 500,000 rounds of pistol cartidges on a single stage press. Eyeballed all powder charges in the block and have NEVER had a squib!!!!! All you guys with the progressive preeses need the powder check alert and need to pay attention when loading or you will mess up.

January 31, 2008, 11:06 PM	#23
Foxbat Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Posts: 367	OK... so we will miss one in twenty years. The risk? None. Slight embarrassment, that's all. Single stage vs. Progressive... the OTHER Thirty Year War.

January 31, 2008, 11:29 PM	#24
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,480	No war, I just like my single stage, no issues with anyone who uses a turret or progressive. I load for fun, not for volume. No big deal.

February 1, 2008, 07:06 AM	#25
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	Foxbat......there is great risk when you are firing a 900 round per minute machinegun or submachinegun. If the bullet goes far enough into the barrel to allow another to chamber behind it, it can be very expensive and dangerous to both shooter and bystanders. I've seen and stopped several people on ranges over the years, who have had squibs in pistols and they didn't even know what happened as they were trying to rack another round into an obstructed bore. When I yelled ceasefire and went over to them and pointed out what had just happened they about $#it themselves. I've pounded more than a half dozen lodged bullets from other peoples pistol barrels at the range just in the past few years. Most of them were new reloaders and didn't even know what the term "squib" meant. Thats a risk in itself.