Two squibs in a week. Need help!

S

staycold66

Inactive
I've been reloading for about 7 years and I've recently gotten my first squib load. The first was in my Glock 23 with a 124 grain frangible projectile and about 5 grains of Titegroup. The second squib happened yesterday in my 9mm AR-15. The load was a 115 grain plated round nose with 6.4 grains of Accurate No.5.

The only thing I've been doing differently lately is priming my cases by hand because my Lee Pro 1000 was giving me troubles. Is it possible that my primers aren't seated well enough? Would this be enough to cause multiple squibs? I inspected one of the squib cases and the primer looked pretty dented but I don't believe it was punctured. I measure my powder fairly diligently but it could also be from a light charge.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Were they squibs (weak load) or duds (round still pristine except for dented primer)? The first can be very bad. The second usually due to seating issues or contamination.
 
I have a light strip on the underside of mine and look in every case after the powder drop. Makes it easy to look in.

They sell light strips at Walmart that you can cut and adjust the length to whatever you need. Fairly cheap too
 
Inline makes some nice lighting kits for most presses. I have excellent lighting on my presses. All the better to catch an 'oopsie' before it gets to the range.
 
9mm is notorious for allowing squibs. Small case that is hard to see into. I load on a Dillon 550 and exchanged my chair for a stool to help see into the case. No squibs since. (Knock on wood)
 
Get a press with a powder check/lockout die or use one or both of your eyes to confirm powder into each and every case.
 
I have taken to check every round. I have found that even a visual check isn't enough -- it may appear that the charge is ok but still isn't. I use a 3/16brass rod marked with a black marker on every round. Of course, this makes my turret press like a single stage, but it assures that each round has at least enough charge to push the bullet out.
willr
 
You should also learn how to double tap the handle on both the up and down stroke. Double taping will help drop powder into the measure and then help make certain it all falls down into the case. Did you notice any loads that seemed a little hotter than the others. Usually is you have a short drop you will also get a heavy drop.
 
After firing, did you notice any unburned powder dump out? If not, you either had a really light powder charge or none at all.

While incredibly slow I do check all cases for powder in my reloading tray with a headlight. It's one major reason why I will never use a progressive.
 
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