Finally Got a Squib

[BigD6765]

So, in all my years (40+) of shooting...never been witness to a squib load. I got my first one on Sunday. And, to top it off, I got it in a new-to-me Ruger GP100. This is my first Ruger of the centerfire nature...and I was quite impressed. Shot multiple types of loads and they all performed well...except for some "old" ammo that I had on hand that was some of my great-uncles. They all shot fine...until the last one and obviously the powder had been compromised because it had a "pffft" sound and I, fortunately, decided to look into that further.

The round is stuck about 1.5" from the end of the barrel. Obviously, if this were a semi-auto, it would be fairly easy to knock it out after disassembly. But, as it's a revolver, I thought I'd seek some advice.

I did a check on Brownell's and they do sell some brass rods. I don't have anything onhand that would work...so was considering ponying-up the cash and adding that to my tool collection. The local 'smith said he'd charge $65-$85 to knock it out, but mentioned that sometimes he has to remove the barrel to get it. That got me thinking...should I buy the rods and try it myself? Or, just chalk it up to fate and give it to the guy that already has the tools?

Any tips/tricks from the folks at RugerForum?

 

[Captain America]

I only ever had one, it was stuck in my 6 inch Security Six, I soaked it with Kroil and knocked it out fairly easily with a hammer and a wooden dowel.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

They usually come out fairly easily. Spray some lube in there and use a hardwood dowel to tap it out. You can buy brass rod at most good hardware stores or hobby shops that will also work. Think brass all thread rod. Brass is much softer and will not harm your bore.

 

[SAJohn]

Any idea what caused it? I have been shooting for longer than you (with mostly reloads) and have never had that happen with any type of firearm. Maybe because I have never owned or used a progressive reloading machine.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have gotten two bullets stuck when I was testing a very weak load. Both times I knocked the bullet back out using a wooden dowel and hammer while holding the gun in my lap after a spray of Rem Oil for lube. Easy.

 

[DeletedMember275]

Using wooden dowels for this purpose is sometimes an exercise in frustration and/or futility. Do it long enough, and one WILL eventually break in the bore. I'm a brass rod guy, myself.

 

[BigD6765]

Any idea what caused it? I have been shooting for longer than you (with mostly reloads) and have never had that happen with any type of firearm. Maybe because I have never owned or used a progressive reloading machine.

I thought it was due to the ammo being old (40+ years) and the powder was bad. I went back through my brass and found what is likely the bad case...it has a split on the side. I don't know if it was there prior to shooting or not, but it doesn't look fresh. It almost acted like it ignited on primer only. I got these out of an old box of ammo...Remington if memory serves. Shot about 30 without issue...then this happened...have two left. So, I thought they were factory but they may have been reloads.

Anyhow, I haven't been able to find a place locally with a brass rod. I might try Ace tomorrow. Worst case, I may just order one from Brownells and then I'll have it if need be.

 

[contender]

As noted,,, a lubed barrel, a vise, and a brass rod,,, even if "all thread". Try a hobby shop if any local hardware stores don't have any brass rods. It doesn't have to be the exact same size as the bore,,, but as close as you can get is good.
As a RO for USPSA matches,,, I've seen my share of squibs. I keep a brass rod & hammer in my range bag.

 

[rugerguy]

as noted above, soak over night, can use about any lube, yes even WD-40, and keep the dowel rod "short" and go in from the front, BACK towards the way it came from,NO NEED to pull the barrel, sounds like a "upcharge" shop fee, and scam ( make the job sound harder and more 'complex' than it really is.......yes, have removed MANY over the years in the shop, and used short ,wooden dowels, to help avoid "bounce or flexing" have yet to break one yet, since the late 1960's.....usually keep a dowel rod in the range bag; never know when you are at the range and someone else does this,sounds like your old ammo with the split case allowed moisture to get in the case...heck, condensation over time can do this easy enough,but mostly is it guys who "reload" and do NOT keep track or pay attention.... 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[Heywatchthis]

Just got a squib myself last week.
Shooting bore lapping loads that pretty much just "spit" the bullet out, the last shot got stuck.

Brass rod and a small brass hammer with a little mass to the head did the trick.
I held the barrel in one hand, put the rod down the barrel, and a few medium power whacks and out it came.
It was a .45 and was about halfway down a 4 5/8 barrel.
The worst thing is the inconvenience, the REALLY worst thing is to fire another round with a bullet already stuck in the barrel!

 

[buckeyeshooter]

see them pretty often in CAS, brass rod and nylon hammer. Go in from the front, generally pretty easy to tap out.

 

[BigD6765]

I'll give you an update on my situation... I got a few rods from Online Metals (https://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm). They have several different sizes so I got a few 12" lengths in various diameters for my main calibers. I figured it happened once...might happen again.

At any rate, I did manage to get it out. It was stuck pretty good (FMJ bullet). Soaked it overnight before trying to knock it out. Rapping on it with a leather mallet wasn't enough...broke out a blacksmith's hammer and took it out in about 10 hefty blows. So, I'm pretty happy that it wasn't any worse.

I'd recommend Online Metals as it seems to be quality rods at a reasonable price. I'm ready for the next one!

 

[BigD6765]

I'll give you an update on my situation... I got a few rods from Online Metals (https://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm). They have several different sizes so I got a few 12" lengths in various diameters for my main calibers. I figured it happened once...might happen again.

At any rate, I did manage to get it out. It was stuck pretty good (FMJ bullet). Soaked it overnight before trying to knock it out. Rapping on it with a leather mallet wasn't enough...broke out a blacksmith's hammer and took it out in about 10 hefty blows. So, I'm pretty happy that it wasn't any worse.

I'd recommend Online Metals as it seems to be quality rods at a reasonable price. I'm ready for the next one!

Also, forgot to note...I don't think a wooden dowel would've worked at all. I did look for some at the local stores but they were either too big or too small. But, the force required to get it out I think would've split the dowel for sure.

 

[jgt]

Yes, most squib loads I have encountered were lead bullets and I used a hardwood dowel. With a jacketed bullet I would want a brass dowel.

 

[Snake45]

Another vote here for wooden dowel and BFH. :wink:

 

[JOHNNY WACKO]

I had a 25 auto copper plated bullet stuck in a fie titan. the ammo was old the first time the bullet fell out almost.I told the guy stop but he kept shooting again till the next time we had a brass rod peaned up getting it out. :?

 

[Dan in MI]

I had one at a state match in my Sil days. #3 pig. Saw what it was and left the line. I kept a 1/4" X 15" brass rod in my range case. Beat the bullet back into the cyl. Got the cyl out, but the bullet had deformed the case so much it wouldn't come out. Beat it out of the cyl. Returned to the line with 20 seconds left in the second string. Five shots, five pigs. My spotter said he was going to limit my time from now on. Still have that little mishap on my bench.

 

[sliclee]

You have to have both. As a shooter and TO at many events I see squibs in semis and revolvers, many competitors
have one brass a size smaller than their smallest and one same for largest beside hard wood dowel. Its a must have.
Most hard ware stores carry them and dowels,

 

[ruger700]

I have found that a ground rod can be cut to the length(s) necessary.

 

[snakeeyes4445]

Depending on your caliber, bamboo chop sticks work well (used mostly in firelapping processes) or old wooden coat hangers have that pant holder part made of oak dowel....free, and work fine for running patches too.