a primer only is enough (in some cases) to lodge the bullet into the barrel. cowboy loads while low are still not low enough to get stuck.
i've had a couple shots that i actually saw the bullet fly out of the barrel, then hit the paper/backer board and bounce off it.
This actually happened to me today. Primer only.. F'd up on the load. Kinda scary as I take out inexperienced shooters sometimes. Took ALL the reloaded bullets I had done in that run and am checking every one. Not sure how I'll check them as I had to go to work this afternoon. Either shake test as the load was not full to the brim or weigh them but there is such a variance in brass weight this method may not be totally idiot proof. I may end up pulling them all apart. ALL 300rds...
What caliber are we talking?
x2,
had it happen with a 500sw a couple times. Ended up making a brasss rod, tapping the bullet back into the case carefully, and the opening the cyl. It would only fire it far enough to jam up in the cyl. I think that it was from lube going into the powder, and ####ing up the powder at the bottom of the load, and would not ignite the powder. HAd to use lube to resize the 500 though.
Happened to me with a 686 S&W. Squib fire -- I hadn't charged it with powder. I keep logs and have done over 10,000 rounds, only one of them lacked powder. Used a brass rod at the range to tap it back gently, opened cylinder and popped it out. I wouldn't pull apart the other 300. It happens, even with commercial ammo from time to time. I did have a misfire on a 416 Rigby this winter. Pulled the bullet and there was a small mountain of powder but the primer didn't work for some reason.
Bring a brass rod and a hammer and just start shooting, paying particular attention to the sound level and recoil after every shot. It is always a good practice, but just one that we get reminded of when things do go as we normally expect.
Happy shooting!
My brother got some cheap cheap factory ammo and had a whole bunch of duds in a box. Ill have to ask him what brand it was
what caliber?
I had a couple of boxes of .38 WC reloads that were made about 30 years ago. They spent about 10 years in Florida (in a house that was unairconditioned all summer). It looks like the waxy lubricant on the bullets had melted and contaminated the powder. They ranged from just primer pops to partial ignition that would launch the bullet 50m (at velocities you could watch).
1) https://squibloads.wordpress.com/reloading/whats-a-squib-load-and-how-do-i-avoid-one/How could that happen, insufficient powder?
[...]How would cowboy loads work then?



























