Found My Squib Load today

[Headhog]

A few weeks ago I was loading some 357 Mag loads for steel plate plinking. While loading a batch of 200 rounds, I pulled a cartridge from the press to check the powder charge. Charge weight was perfect so I put the cartridge back in the press and continued. Now you have to realize I load all my pistol caliber ammo. on a progressive press. I use a powder check die to make sure there are no grossly over or under charges, but the pulled case came from the last seating/crimp station after the powder check.

After a half dozen or more rounds fell into the catch bin, I happened to glance at my balance scale. I noticed it was at zero, it should have been arm down. Now I realized I goofed. I forgot to return the last charge, I measured, back to case. So now I had a bin with about 100 rounds and one squib. Now what do I do? I decided I was not going to take apart those loads trying to find a squib. I finished reloading the rest and boxed them up with a label that either box of 100 round might have a squib.

Well today at the range about 2/3 through the first box I heard a very mild pop. Sure enough my squib showed up. I had loaded it into my Cimarron Pistolero. The cylinder was locked tight with the bullet between the cylinder and the forcing cone. I was prepared with my brass rod and hammer. A few gentle taps, put the bullet back enough to free the cylinder. With that round removed I continued my shooting fun.

I'm not sure how I missed returning the charge to the case. I don't recall being distracted or maybe I was just going too fast. Once I realized my mistake' I took steps to assure there were no surprises at the range. I had all the tools with me to drive a round out of the bore or either firearm.

All in all, i had a fun day dinging the steel with both my Henry BBS and the Cimarron. Because I was prepared my squib load didn't spoil the day.

Paul

[Cofisher]

Good recovery.

[North Country Gal]

Paul, excellent preparedness. Sqibs are very dangerous.

[Sir Henry]

Glad you found it. Shooting a revolver in this case was smart. A semi might have been a disaster.

[Vaquero]

Glad you found it the easy way.
Good to be prepared, and a miner set back.
Nothing like ringing the steel, good to see ya had a good day.

RP

[DsGrouse]

I've had a few of those in my life. The last one was not one of my loads. It was a 38 wadcutter. I fired the gun, and nothing went thwack against the cardboard. The recoil felt fine. I popped the cylinder, and ejected the rounds. While looking the gun over and spy the wadcutter hanging out the end of my 686's 3 inch barrel. A little wiggle and it popped out.

[Hatchdog]

Thanks for sharing your story. It’s a good reminder for all of us.