NO POWDER IN A PISTOL LOAD

[oldguyguns]

Just thinking when I was reloading some 380 the other day. What would happen if you missed placing powder in a cartridge? Is the primer enough to send the bullet down the barrel and plug it? Would this vary by caliber of pistol??

 

[dieselrealtor]

I have had a couple of squib loads in factory ammo in 2 different .380s, left the projectile lodged in the barrel.

 

[OneBadV8]

You MIGHT get lucky and have it leave the barrel, but more than likely it'll get stuck in the barrel and you'll have to beat it out with a brass rod.

If you know which batch may or may not have powder you could possibly weight all of them on an electronic powder scale and pull all the ones with the lowest weight.

 

[trophyhunter]

Just thinking when I was reloading some 380 the other day. What would happen if you missed placing powder in a cartridge? Is the primer enough to send the bullet down the barrel and plug it? Would this vary by caliber of pistol??

Probably more revolver vs semi of an issue, I'd venture to say most any semi auto would have enough pressure in the locked breech from just the primer to move it out of the chamber and into the barrel before it stops.

Revolver? You're going to lose some of the pressure at the forcing cone and I wouldn't be surprised to see the cylinder get hung up on the bullet not fully clearing the chamber.

 

[hondatech2k2]

I had a squib on my first batch of 45acp, makes a nice little "pop" instead of the typical BOOM.

 

[The Keymaster]

Most likely the bullet will lodge in the barrel. As long as you don't put a second bullet behind it under full load it's a pretty easy fix.

 

[straight-shooter]

I fired a squib round in a Super Redhawk 44 magnum and the primer had enough umph to get the bullet 2 inches past the forcing cone. Tapped it out with a brass rod.

 

[AllenM]

Not to shoot myself in the foot (some pun intended) but here is one thing that can happen

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-discussion/333320-i-get-dufus-day-award.html

 

[Rocket]

Had one in a PK 380. Lodged just far enough in to keep the next round from going fully into battery.

 

[xM3RC1L3SS1x]

Fortunately I have not had a squib load. Everyone that I have talked to said that it will get lodged in the barrel

 

[The Keymaster]

Not to shoot myself in the foot (some pun intended) but here is one thing that can happen

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-discussion/333320-i-get-dufus-day-award.html

There was no injury, and nothing was lost that can't be replaced. These things do happen to the best and safest shooters. Lesson learned right?

 

[Classic]

I have, and it will. Careful doing mag dumps!

Depending on your particular loading process, eyeball every load before you put the bullet on top.

 

[ilcaveman]

I seen a buddy have a squib with a revolver, he didn't catch it and blew up his 686 and pieces went everywhere. The bullet was stuck half way down the barrel.

 

[BigMoose]

Unless your using a snub-nose revolver, the most likely result is a squibb.

Though I think there is a primer only 22LR cartridge factory loaded.

 

[85t5mcss]

Unless your using a snub-nose revolver, the most likely result is a squibb.

Though I think there is a primer only 22LR cartridge factory loaded.

Agree with everyone else. Probably lodge in the barrel. Which is why you need to check everything when something doesn't feel right.
I think the powder less 22s are Calibri and not recommended for rifles. Seen a few squibs at ECPR with those in a rifle.

 

[remauto1187]

Probably more revolver vs semi of an issue, I'd venture to say most any semi auto would have enough pressure in the locked breech from just the primer to move it out of the chamber and into the barrel before it stops.

You might want to search "squib load" on Youtube to see all the SEMI-AUTO gun aftermaths of a squib load.

The "squib load" is VERY easy to prevent, especially with us reloaders that already have a scale. Any given load will have a known or close enough value of the weight in powder inside the case. All that has to be done is weigh EVERY loaded cartridge you have. If one is missing all or a subtantial amount of its powder it will stick out like a nun in a stripclub.

Ill use a .223 load which uses 23.5 grains of powder. If a specific round didnt get any charge of powder the whole weight of a "loaded" cartridge will be roughly 23.5 grains lighter than any of the good rounds and that will reach up and slap you in the face if you weigh out all of your loaded cartridges.

A decent electronic scale will run around $100 and comes with test weights for calibration. Pretty cheap insurance if you ask me. Doesnt take long to weight out 500 rounds during a rainy day.

 

[oldguyguns]

WOW--thanks for answers--

 

[slowG]

If only you could find pistol powder!

 

[maverick5990]

You might want to search "squib load" on Youtube to see all the SEMI-AUTO gun aftermaths of a squib load.

The "squib load" is VERY easy to prevent, especially with us reloaders that already have a scale. Any given load will have a known or close enough value of the weight in powder inside the case. All that has to be done is weigh EVERY loaded cartridge you have. If one is missing all or a subtantial amount of its powder it will stick out like a nun in a stripclub.

This may or may not work with rifle loads but not with pistols. With the small amount of weight in a pistol load you can have that much varianc

Ill use a .223 load which uses 23.5 grains of powder. If a specific round didnt get any charge of powder the whole weight of a "loaded" cartridge will be roughly 23.5 grains lighter than any of the good rounds and that will reach up and slap you in the face if you weigh out all of your loaded cartridges.

A decent electronic scale will run around $100 and comes with test weights for calibration. Pretty cheap insurance if you ask me. Doesnt take long to weight out 500 rounds during a rainy day.

This may work with rifle rounds but I have my doubt about pistols. With the lower charge weight you could have that much variance in just the brass!

 

[jballs]

Like others have said, it's called a squib. They can be dangerous if the bullet goes far enough down the bore for you to cycle another round in.

You can usually tell when it happens because the sound and felt recoil are different, plus the case doesn't extract properly.

I have a light setup above my loader that points directly into the bottom of my brass so I can verify that there is powder in there or not before I seat the bullet.