I wouldn't have thought the amount of air in the case could cause enough moisture condensation to matter, especially as I thought that rounds are mostly air and moisture tight?
I wouldn't have thought the amount of air in the case could cause enough moisture condensation to matter, especially as I thought that rounds are mostly air and moisture tight?
If using a progressive reloader, that would be my prime suspect.
The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
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Experienced the same and I think it's from moisture condensing inside a case loaded on a hot day and fired later on on a cooler day.
It wouldn't take a lot of condensation to make a pasty mess of a powder charge.
Just a wag.
Factories that load ammo have to keep a temperature and humidity controlled environment to both eliminate moisture as well as avoiding static electricity from extremely dry air.
Can we say the same?
Last edited by Alferd Packer; 10-03-2020 at 02:09 AM.
I've been loading since 1965, and I've never even HEARD of condensation in a case causing squibs, and I live in Texas, where humid is just a normal day. And, I've never used loading blocks. That is OLD tech, and not needed. I use a single stage press, size, then expand case mouth and prime. The last step I drop powder charge, LOOK INTO CASE FOR POWDER LEVEL, then seat bullet. Only time I've had squibs was when I had a short in my brain and forgot to put powder in the case.
I use the latest version of BLL which is mineral spirits, floor wax and alox blended. But you put like 2-3 drops in a tub with 2-300 boolits. They don't have to be wet, they just need to stink of it.
Funny thing - apparenly my grandpa was using this formula or something similar. I remember going down in their basement and exploring. I remember he had a single stage press and a shotgun press. I also remember the smell. It's the same smell as BLL - which is a little different than just plain Alox.
WWG1WGA
Other story:
I had a squib a while back. When I load pistol ammo, I use a RCBS chargemaster lite. It is really handy. While you are resizing/priming, it is measuring. Well, one day I made 50 boolits and the chargemaster said it made 49. I thought (of course) it must have not registered one. I've been loading these things and I saw the powder in each and every one...
I also put a "Possible SQUIB" on the box. This was a box of 40 S&W I generally shoot in a glock.
I shot that box at the range and sure enough about 5 rounds in, unstead of a pow, I get a tink. The gun didn't cycle and I knew. Ooops, I missed one. Drop mag, cycle... Yup.
For pistols, I have a little brass rod so I was able to hammer that guy back out and continue but sure enough - no powder will pretty much squib every time.
WWG1WGA
i was having squibs one very hot day with some 105 lees that were tumble lubed in my 38. took them home and pulled some and found some with a ball of powder stuck to the bottom of the bullets. I dont use tumble lube much anymore and when i do i just use it for ammo im going to shoot in the next day or two. Id never rely on it for self defense or hunting loads. Im sure it could happen with any lube you got on the base of a bullet.
My loading procedure on a turrent press is to size and prime all cases, flare and powder all cases, then inspect the powder level in all cases while in loading tray, add bullet seat and crimp. Last year while at a silhouette match, I had a pop-bang. Being that I was concentrating on my sights and target,it caught me a little off guard. Opening the cylinder on my Ruger Security Six, all looked ok and I could see light at the forcing cone indicating no barrel restriction. Several shots later I had more pop-bangs, I stopped shooting that match altogether . All seemed good when I pulled the loads down. What I concluded was insufficient crimp because after reloading with the same powder charge and bullet and increasing the crimp, I have had no problems since. Why the crimp changed I don't know. Maybe case length differences from previous 357 cases.
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Knock, knock, knock(on wood)...in 45 years not a single squib from a reload. Had a few dud 22s...but never from my reloads.
My reloading methods work...and I'm not changing any processes now.
I just jinx'd it....didn't I?
redhawk
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BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |