It can happen just that quick.

Gatorade · #1 08-19-2017, 09:30 PM

The mind can drift even with an activity as repetitive a single stage loading. I was loading some .38 Special in the garage. Cases had already been sized primed and just a kiss of a bell applied. I powder coated some .356 158gr a few days ago but soft loaded .38 Special really begs for lead. So I had about 125 in coated alox lubed, lead semi wad cutters. Meh, lets load up a hundred. Got the powder measure set up. 3.5gr of Bullseye. A soft load if ever there was one. Would probably still have space even if it was a .38 S&W case.

No matter, settle into the routine. Grab case, throw powder, insert charged case in press, seat bullet, pull handle put round into box, grab case, throw powder, insert charged case in press, seat bullet, pull handle put round into box, grab case, throw powder, insert charged case in press, seat bullet, pull handle put round into box. Repeat for about 60rounds or so.

Wife comes into garage to talk about floor plans of houses she wants to look at for next years move. She usually doesn't go to the garage while I am there and usually asks me to go inside, cool, I get to load and let her gab about houses and layouts and not lose any loading time. Win win! Grab case, throw powder, insert charged case in press, seat bullet, pull handle put round into box, grab case, insert case in press, seat bullet, pull handle put round into box, grab case, throw powder, insert charged case in press, seat bullet, pull handle put round into box, grab case, insert charged case in press, seat bullet...... wait. While she was talking to me and I was talking to her did I just skip the powder charge step? I didn't press the bullet yet so I plucked it off and dumped the cartridge into the top of the powder thrower and sure enough empty. I almost made a squib! So now I am analyzing in my head the last couple that I loaded while talking with her and am not 100% that I threw powder while talking to her for that quick second. Grab the hammer puller and wack the previous one. Powder gets dumped into the powder thrower. Yep that one was good. Grab the next and wack the bullet loose and dump nothing but air. I had made a squib and put it in the loaded box. Those were the only three I had made while talking to her but I had taken my attention off just enough that I forgot to charge two loads.

So I picked up on my error, re-belled the pulled ones and finished the last 10 or so that I had left with extra attention given to make sure all the steps were followed. Finished loading, dumped the extra powder back in the jug and put the dies away and we went inside to look at the floor plans she liked online.

We all know a squib can turn into a kaboom real quick. We all joke about loaders who have made a squib and not caught it till the hammer touches off nothing but a primer, but just realize that a small distraction can cause you to miss a step even on such a mindless repetitive action as loading .38 Special in a single stage.

For the record I did make a squib but I caught my error, so no squibs for me!

AFJuvat · #2 08-19-2017, 09:58 PM

It doesn't count if you caught it at the bench.

When CINCHouse wants to talk while I am loading, I put everything down for that same reason.

I didn't make a squib, but I did forget to add a primer before adding powder....

sdmc530 · #3 08-19-2017, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFJuvat

It doesn't count if you caught it at the bench.

I agree with this!!

pitor · #4 08-19-2017, 11:42 PM

I'm so happy you figured out the bad rounds Charlie. Most important thing is that you had this spidey sense telling you something was not right and you acted on it. Good job.

NAMVET72 · #5 08-20-2017, 02:38 AM

Next time you reload with your favorite load then weigh one and write it down, then you wont have to pull the bullets out of them just weigh them. Sorry just and old time reloader Here.

Gatorade · #6 08-20-2017, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAMVET72

Next time you reload with your favorite load then weigh one and write it down, then you wont have to pull the bullets out of them just weigh them. Sorry just and old time reloader Here.

I did think about that but after confirming the first one I really wanted to do a visual check. I will weigh them all later today and see what I get.

skosh69 · #7 08-20-2017, 08:46 PM

I learned the hard way going through the same experience you did, except I wasn't fortunate enough to catch it. That's how I got my early nickname of Mr Squibs.

Like others have said, if the Mrs wants to talk while I'm reloading, I stop completely until the conversation is over.

Congrats on catching your error before it was too late.

The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Gatorade For This Useful Post:
AFJuvat (08-19-2017), DaFadda (08-20-2017), NAMVET72 (08-20-2017), Riverpigusmc (08-19-2017), RKP (08-20-2017), sdmc530 (08-19-2017), skosh69 (08-20-2017)