04-29-2019, 12:53 AM
Labrat - never in my experience has that happened to me. I've had a squib with a primer that fired on an otherwise empty case (no charge), but have not had one where the powder simply failed to ignite. It takes quite a bit of contamination to cause smokeless powder to become that inert. What I find especially curious, is that you had four shots, prior to the squib, that ostensibly fired without issue.
The very first thing I would do is discard that powder. I wouldn't trust it to be consistent, and I would certainly hate to see it behave in the opposite fashion, meaning a faster than normal burn.
Second, I would examine my reloading bench and the surrounding area to ensure:
a) Cleanliness
b) Neat and orderly
c) Free from foreign materials, lubricants and solvents, such as WD40, acetone, alcohol, etc.
d) powder is stored in cool dry environment, with all lids tightly sealed.
Third, I would review my reloading practices. My routine begins with putting everything away that is not related to the current cartridge / load. (Powders, primers, etc. Everything.) When I begin, there is only one powder on the bench, one type of primer, and one lot of a specific bullet, and one lot of cases. Each and every case is hand primed (unless I am using the progressive), primers are inspected to ensure they are fully seated (no proud primers), and every charge is checked to ensure no double charge or empty case gets a bullet seated. Lastly, I always put any powder left over in the measure back into the canister (I learned that the hard way, when I had to toss about 500 grains of powder I couldn't positively identify).
Other than that, lab rat, I have nothing else to offer. I am terribly thankful you didn't have anything worse than that happen.
The very first thing I would do is discard that powder. I wouldn't trust it to be consistent, and I would certainly hate to see it behave in the opposite fashion, meaning a faster than normal burn.
Second, I would examine my reloading bench and the surrounding area to ensure:
a) Cleanliness
b) Neat and orderly
c) Free from foreign materials, lubricants and solvents, such as WD40, acetone, alcohol, etc.
d) powder is stored in cool dry environment, with all lids tightly sealed.
Third, I would review my reloading practices. My routine begins with putting everything away that is not related to the current cartridge / load. (Powders, primers, etc. Everything.) When I begin, there is only one powder on the bench, one type of primer, and one lot of a specific bullet, and one lot of cases. Each and every case is hand primed (unless I am using the progressive), primers are inspected to ensure they are fully seated (no proud primers), and every charge is checked to ensure no double charge or empty case gets a bullet seated. Lastly, I always put any powder left over in the measure back into the canister (I learned that the hard way, when I had to toss about 500 grains of powder I couldn't positively identify).
Other than that, lab rat, I have nothing else to offer. I am terribly thankful you didn't have anything worse than that happen.
If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?