squib loads in rifles?

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icdbko32

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I am very aware people get squib loads in pistol and 22lr but has anyone actually had squibs in rifle rounds where the bullet actually engaged the rifling and started down the barrel?

I've had and seen it in straight wall pistol cases where non powder charge casings are enough to start the projectile into the rifling with just the primer detonation. My issue was lee perfect powder measure which I don't use turret presses anymore in the event I don't notice the difference in powder charge, only open trays now.

in rifle however I've never heard of anybody getting squib loads except with military ammo but never hand loads and if it were to happen I believe there would have to be a very, very, low charge of powder to cause a squib or a partial burn of powder to cause one such as contaminated or wet powder.

I've tested whether or not a primer detonation with no powder charge is enough to start a projectile down a bottle necked casing and so far on mid sized (22-250) and larger casings there have zero movement of the projectile in the case neck even. in 223 the projectile pushed forward in the neck but did not touch the rifling.

so what have your findings and observations been with squib loads in rifles and what causes them in bottle neck cartridges.
 
Insufficient neck tension can cause a squib. For example, loading .303 using 7.62x39 bullets that are slightly undersized for .303 can do it. The solution is a smaller diameter neck expander.

If this happens, the bullet generally gets stuck in the throat, where it can be easily knocked out with a suitable rod.
 
Like others I've had the primer push the bullet into the throat before. A light tap with a cleaning rod dislodges it so it was just barely pushed in.

I've had this happen several times with powder in the case albeit a reduced charge for a cast bullet. The powder would often turn brown or orange after it happened (coated with some residue from the primer?) but wouldn't ignite. I don't remember which powder it kept happening with. I'd get a click, wait 30-60 seconds, and when I eject the case I get a spray of unburnt powder in my face and inside the action. The bullet was usually lodged in the throat.

I've never had anything like that happen with normal loads and jacketed bullets.
 
If the case is empty, the primer generates little pressure. The bullet might stay in the case, or, if it comes out, it will barely be stuck in the chamber throat.

If the case has powder that does not ignite, the primer generates a lot more pressure, and the bullet can go an inch into the barrel.
 
Had to knock a bullet out of the barrel with a cleaning rod that was pushed forward and out of the case of a .223 round with just the primer. Buddy said that there was probably 9 more just like it. Sure enough there was 9 more just like it. Three good things came out of this... 1, he found out that he did not have a flinch. 2, don't answered the phone when reloading. And 3, always weigh the finished product.
 
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