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I've been hearing/reading a lot about squib loads lately. As a fairly new shooter (about a year now), I am curious how often squib loads actually occur. I shoot only new factory-loaded ammo, but I realize that's not a guarantee of perfection.

So basically, how often are squib loads typically encountered when using new factory-loaded ammo?

Squib loads (too little powder or bad powder) probably occur less than 1 round in 100,000 in factory loaded ammo that has been stored properly. People who work at ranges where thousands of rounds a day are fired don't see them often.

The only bad ammo that I have seen was flooded and dried out. Even half of that worked as designed.

I don't worry about squibs, but generally I make sure that every shot makes a hole in the target.

- Jim

I have been shooting rifles for over 50 yrs, handguns for 44. Reloading since 1971. Factory I have had one box of .32acp that was simply bad ammo. No real squibs that stuck in the barrel but not enough to cycle the action. After about the 6th out of the box I retired the rest.
I have had 1 in all my reloads. I am very careful & watchful in my whole process w/ single stage tooling.

Squibs w/ factory ammo are not a prevelent misfire. Just remember if it dont sound & feel right check barrel for clear.

I've been shooting about as long a Longtooth, and can honestly say I've never had a squib round in my life. I've always used the major U.S. ammo manufacturer's when shooting, until very recently.

I learned a lesson once early in reloading.....CHECK YOUR FLASH HOLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did not and had some polishing media (rice) stick in the flash holes of 2 .223 rounds. Click........primer goes off. Does not even ignite the powder.

I've had one, ever. It was 9mm WWB 100-round bulk pack ammo. From what I can tell, only the primer ignited, lodging the bullet in the barrel just ahead of the chamber. The action was littered with unburnt powder when I cycled the case out and inspected it. It took a wood dowel and a hammer to dislodge the bullet. I now carry a de-squibbing tool with me whenever I go shooting.

I, personally have never had one. However, I bought some reloaded .45 ACP at a gun show one time and took my then 17 Y/O Son shooting while he was visiting from Canada.

I had purchased a H&K USP for him and we were at an indoor range in Sherman. He was shooting along fine (better than me) and I was busy in the next lane when he came to me saying that he thought something was wrong with his gun. He said the last shot didn't sound right.

I checked it out and sure enough, round stuck in the barrel!

We got it out with a wood dowel the range loaned us and we were back in business. I was really proud of him and explained that he had done exactly everything correctly (even though I never discussed squibs with him before). We discussed the dangers if he had ignored his instincts and fired another round. This kinda scared him a bit and I gotta admit it scared me too. It made me think about all that I had taught him and how I managed to forget something as important as a squib.

Anyway, I "retired" the remaining reloads and from that point on I only shoot factory loads (and he does too). That being said, we realize that there is always the possibility (however remote) that you could have a squib from a factory round. And the dangers of firing rapid fire. We concluded that rapid fire should only be used during a dire emergency (not range work).

Never had one.

I've had a several in .22 rimfire, and one or two in centerfire.
The worst one I've witnessed was in factory .38 Special in a name-brand service revolver, shot by a police officer. The round had just enough "oomph" to push the bullet into the cylinder/barrel gap and lock it up tight.
Yes, a revolver can jam.
It took a while to clear.

I have only had one and that was 35 years ago with some .22 ammo.

LATELY, in the last year, I have had trouble with Winchester ammo going bang. My first case of this was Winchester .40 SW in my Glock. This was a fresh box....the white "target" ones you can buy a Wally World or Academy and two out of 50 wouldn't go bang on the first strike. Good primer dimples but no go. I had a buddy at the same time had trouble wih the .45 ACP Winchester.... 3 or 4 from his box. My Glock has had well over a thousand rounds and NEVER FTF or Failed to feed ANY other ammo. I have had this happen a few times with this brand ammo over the past year.

Needless to say, this is not my carry ammo. I usually use the CorBon and practice with it after I have fired the cheap (reletive use of the word) stuff and always fire a few to verify function after cleaning. Never had a problem.

This has also been an issue with Winchester 100 rd bulk 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotgun shells. These are the trap $20-24 variety.... I have had FTF issues with this ammo in 4 different guns that have never had problems. They also tend to stick in the over under shotguns too. We shoot alot of skeet and sporting clays and have since given up on the Winchester shells. The Rio's function flawlessly every time. This is based on thousands of rounds fired.

The more expensive winchester waterfowl loads function fine... I guess you get what you pay for.

I really think this is a function of the rush to get ammo out there and the quality control on primers must be off.

But for my money and life, I wouldn't bet on Winchester ammo. Your mileage may vary.

cougartex wrote:Never had one.

I, too, have been fortunate.

Has not been a problem for me and I shoot A LOT of WWB in 9mm.