Squib loads

[Robert Swartz]

Being new to reloading. Most of my experience has been with black powder. I load off a single stage RCBS press. All my powder charges are off either a scale or known powder measure. I also deprime, clean and inspect all cartridges prior to reloading. I have seen instances of primer strikes but not firing and I have seen squibs in both pistols and rifles. Any advise on pitfalls to avoid from more experienced reloaders. I'm preparing to start reloading both rifle and pistol cartridges in smokeless for 30 40 Krag and .357 to shoot GAF.  Just wanting to avoid doing something stupid.

[Mogorilla]

Hi Robert, I am by no means an experienced reloader, but I have been doing it.   Knock on wood, i have yet to have a squib or a primer issue.    i am a scientist and after thoroughly researching reloading, I wrote myself a Standard Operating procedure.   
I have a single stage Lee press (their anniversary model).   I do not see the need to go to a progressive.   Not to throw shade, but I have experienced shooting with those who have squibs and raised primers.    One thing they had in common was a progressive press.   i am not saying that caused the issue, but i find doing things quicker is not always better.

First I resize and deprime everything at once.    Then they get a 2nd cleaning, having been cleaned after firing.    When everyone is dry and happy, I prime them all and open up the case mouth a touch.    I inspect each one individually at this point, both the body of the case, and the seated primer.   
I am now ready to do small batches of cartridges.   For smokeless, i have a powder charger.   I charge five cartridges and then a 6th charge gets weighed.   if all is good, I seat and crimp the five charged cartridges.   Then do the same thing.  This lets me start and stop, not having to remember where I was at and regular weighings ensures all is good.   
For blackpowder, all the same up until adding powder.   I have spouts I use for each caliber.   In both I use a card and wad.   So, I measure powder in the spout, pour into the cartridge, ensuring all is added and then tap them a bit to settle it.   Add card  and wad then place the bullet.  These I do one at a time, compressing the powder, seating the bullet and crimping before moving to the next cartridge.   I could probably shorten this, but to my science mind, that means I am not focusing on my safety and the safety of my friends that I shoot with.   

My procedure is printed and setting on my bench right by the press.    works well

[Drydock]

Get a good load book, Lee, Lyman, RCBS, all the powder companies and the bullet makers make good ones.  I like the Lee, as it has a cross section of information from most manufacturers.

[Robert Swartz]

Hi Robert, I am by no means an experienced reloader, but I have been doing it.   Knock on wood, i have yet to have a squib or a primer issue.    i am a scientist and after thoroughly researching reloading, I wrote myself a Standard Operating procedure.   
I have a single stage Lee press (their anniversary model).   I do not see the need to go to a progressive.   Not to throw shade, but I have experienced shooting with those who have squibs and raised primers.    One thing they had in common was a progressive press.   i am not saying that caused the issue, but i find doing things quicker is not always better.

First I resize and deprime everything at once.    Then they get a 2nd cleaning, having been cleaned after firing.    When everyone is dry and happy, I prime them all and open up the case mouth a touch.    I inspect each one individually at this point, both the body of the case, and the seated primer.   
I am now ready to do small batches of cartridges.   For smokeless, i have a powder charger.   I charge five cartridges and then a 6th charge gets weighed.   if all is good, I seat and crimp the five charged cartridges.   Then do the same thing.  This lets me start and stop, not having to remember where I was at and regular weighings ensures all is good.   
For blackpowder, all the same up until adding powder.   I have spouts I use for each caliber.   In both I use a card and wad.   So, I measure powder in the spout, pour into the cartridge, ensuring all is added and then tap them a bit to settle it.   Add card  and wad then place the bullet.  These I do one at a time, compressing the powder, seating the bullet and crimping before moving to the next cartridge.   I could probably shorten this, but to my science mind, that means I am not focusing on my safety and the safety of my friends that I shoot with.   

My procedure is printed and setting on my bench right by the press.    works well

.....I have a few notes written down. Procedure wise, seems a lot of what you do is similar to my methods. I deprime all my brass, then have a two step cleaning process. First I run everything through a sonic cleaner, then they go into the media tumbler. Then I inspect, clean and separate the brass by type, at least with rifle brass. Like you, I build in small lots. Lets me keep the process in check.

The only primer misfires I've had were shotgun shells. I confess, I frequent the County skeet range. Being a hull whore, I have boxes of old shot shells. Usually,  those are bad or caved bases that I didn't catch.

Chuck, I agree, before I start building smokeless loads. I will get a loading book. I'm still trying to get gas checks for my 30 40 bullets.