New re loader here with questions

Like most have said-------#1 Get a manual or 2 or 3
#2--- READ AND UNDERSTAND Rule #1

Now, as to the squib rounds--usually to a reloader that means the primer ignited and there was either no powder or an insufficient amount or somehow inactivated powder that propelled the bullet either just out of the case or some distance down the barrel but not out of the barrel which would necessitate bringing out the brass rod to tap the projectile out.
Did you really mean that the primer strike was either insufficiently struck by the firing pin or somehow did not receive enough energy to detonate? (Maybe high primer or not seated fully?)

Again, if you had problems with factory loaded ammo I too would look more closely at the weapon, ie firing spring, lock up or whatever. Not that I would loan you one of my guns to test out your reloads :D but do you have another in the same caliber to swap with and try out the reloads(and factory stuff)?
Good luck and let us know how things work out.

Gary
 
Yeah, we need to know what you mean by a "squib."

Sounds you're moving in the right direction, though.

--Wag--
 
Well, by Squib, I mean a load that went click when I pulled the trigger. The projectile made it about an inch down the barrel. The primer was activated but I have to assume that with no bang or poof, it was a cartridge with no powder.
I did break down and bought a book reading light to better see into the casing.
I just loaded 45 more tonight I can see the powder in the casing so much better and was very pleased.
Definitely not the firearm as I used three on Sunday and these squibs happened in 2 of the three.
As to the manuals, I have three of these as well and have been reading, reading and you guessed it, more reading.
Outside of the squibs everything else went very well. I could feel, and hear each powder load and differences between them. I could also see where the brass landed for each loan.
Have to admit I learned a lot Sunday while shooting. I also learned a great deal about the way the bullet travels down the barrel when I popped out the squibs.
I have never hand a malfunction before, even as this was my fault I did learn a great deal and even with my mistakes, I cannot call this a fail due to learning new things.
Yes I had a couple of lemons, but ended up with a nice glass of lemonade! LOL
 
I need to add this information, on the 50 rounds of SNS Castings, 115 gn poly coated lead I did add to the firearms a Ruger SR9C.
This functioned very well in the test.
As to the squibs, I each in the Glock 17 and SW Shield.
 
Okay, that makes sense. When I was new, the thing most emphasized in all of the three books I read (no real internet back then) was check your powder charges before seating the bullets.

Since then, I've always mounted a shop light directly over the loading bench and as a habit, I set up all of my charged casings in a loading block so I can easily and quickly scan them all. It's usually pretty obvious if any are excessively high or missing a charge though it can be a bit tricky to see into some bottle neck casings.

That's when I'm loading on a single stage. On the auto-indexing press, all I have is a charge checking die and since I'm still new at the progressive press, I'm still working on the habit of checking each charge one at a time. Frankly, it really scares the crap out of me that I might forget to check. So, I go slow and at EVERY pull of the handle, it's just one more thing I check on.

--Wag--
 
The Lee Classic press has four dies that rotate, so it still only has one case in at a time. it takes 4 pulls of the handle to make a single full cartridge.
Since I got the light I discovered that when I raise the handle, which lowers the ram arm and the dies rotate at the top, it jiggles the case and makes the powder jump a bit. This is now my clue as to the depth of the powder for a given charge (this is a visual only) and confirms there is actually powder in the casing.
I also discovered that being slower and more methodical is definitely the way to go.
At first I got in a hurry as the press will make quite a few rounds in a short period of time. Slowing down, reminding myself of the basics and the process actually makes me more comfortable and feels like I have better control. I will take this over speed any day.
I did find that placing the casing in the shell holder, pulling the handle to re-size and de-cap and putting the new primer in place, then lifting the handle to seat the primer is in itself a busy task. Then when I pulled the handle down again, I was trying to find the bullet with both my eyes and my hands, which ultimately made me take my eyes off the casing and thus I missed the powder charge. These are two critical steps.
Now once I see the powder and load the bullet, I make up a bit of time while seating and crimping the bullet in place as this just requires the operation of the handle.
Every 5th cartridge now I check the powder load with a scale and check the COL when done.
Hopefully these actions will eliminate the rascally squib load!!
 
When I use my Lee Turret press before placing a bullet onto a case I look into each and every case to check that there is powder present. It's actually quite easy when compared to looking into each case on my Pro1000 progressive press.

Still I will not place a bullet w/o looking into the case to verify that there is powder. Of course it adds time to the process but so what.

I have had one squib and that was last fall after I had just started wet tumbling my brass. That scared the bejeesus out of both my wife and I as she was shooting with me. In this case the fault was with wet powder. I have since changed my routine.
 
Kmw1954 Sounds like we are on the same page.
That little one LED light is prefect for seeing the powder in the casing.
I use the Franklin tumbler or vibrator with crushed walnut shells and really like the way the brass comes out, I also have been using the NU Finish car polish and they come out all shiny!!

Last night I loaded 45 rounds with the Winchester 231, lowered the powder to 4.1 instead of the listed minimum of 4.3 gns. I shot them today and the recoil management is great. I may bump it back up 4.2 for the IPSC shooting, haven't decided on that yet, but thinking about it.
 
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