Waterproofing Reloads

[OXN939]

Had never really paid much attention to this, but recently found a few reloads in a shed that received some storm damage and the box had clearly gotten wet. When I pulled the bullets, the powder was slightly wet.

Anyone ever messed with waterproofing their reloads? I imagine the primer is the main weak point to address.

 

[WeiserBucks]

They sell a sealer that you can brush on around the case neck/bullet junction and around the primer/case joint. It comes in a little bottle and uses a little brush like fingernail polish.

 

[Flyjunky]

Why not just a watertight box?

 

[A382DWDZQ]

ROBOCO LABORATORIES CUSTOM BULLET & PRIMER SEALER 4-COLOR PACK | Brownells

Introducing the new MARKRON Primer Sealer 4-Color Pack. Now completely seal and waterproof cartridge primers, shot shell primers, bullet case joints and off the shelf, unsealed, factory ammunition with the option of color marking each cartridge fo...

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[OXN939]

Why not just a watertight box?

Do suppose rounds could be exposed to water while in the mag in wet environments. I hunt AK a lot.

They sell a sealer that you can brush on around the case neck/bullet junction and around the primer/case joint. It comes in a little bottle and uses a little brush like fingernail polish.

Yeah I saw that Ranger sealant stuff. Anyone got any experience with it or similar products? Would be an interesting experiment to do one batch with the sealant and one without, and then see if any issues come up after exposing both to moisture

 

[WeiserBucks]

I used to use sealant years ago but I don't remember what brand. Never noticed any difference sealed or not but I don't typically hunt in super wet conditions.

 

[Sled]

Do suppose rounds could be exposed to water while in the mag in wet environments. I hunt AK a lot.



Yeah I saw that Ranger sealant stuff. Anyone got any experience with it or similar products? Would be an interesting experiment to do one batch with the sealant and one without, and then see if any issues come up after exposing both to moisture

I'd be interested in a test on both without the moisture exposure. I'm not as concerned with the primer pocket but adding next tension with a sealer on the projectile might increase pressure. Not sure it would matter but it's worth checking out if you run hot loads.

 

[Steve O]

I’ve had this stuff for a LONG time. Seems like a glorified clear nail polish. No “sealer” is going to raise any pressures.

 

[Rich M]

We used to seal the primers for waterfowl shot shells. Same stuff, clear nail polish pretty much.

Waterproof box is an easy enough idea but may trap moisture if a desicant isnt used.

If i was gonna load a bunch and save for years and years, i would seal primer and bullet. Just cause.

 

[muskieman223]

ever notice the blue loctite looking stuff on the factory federal ammo? wonder if thats sealer?

 

[Vern400]

Yes.

Had never really paid much attention to this, but recently found a few reloads in a shed that received some storm damage and the box had clearly gotten wet. When I pulled the bullets, the powder was slightly wet.

Anyone ever messed with waterproofing their reloads? I imagine the primer is the main weak point to address.

I seal all my hunting and defensive ammo. I tested my 308 by throwing 10 cartridges in a mudhole full of water for a week. I dug them up. They grouped perfect. Markon primer sealant from midway. Seal the bullet and the primer. Ps the factory Remington failed to fire. First one. So I pulled bullets and 4 had water in them.

It probably doesn't help any, but I can't prove the sealant hurts accuracy or velocity. Me nor my equipment are good enough to tell a difference.

 

[OXN939]

Yes.

I seal all my hunting and defensive ammo. I tested my 308 by throwing 10 cartridges in a mudhole full of water for a week. I dug them up. They grouped perfect. Markon primer sealant from midway. Seal the bullet and the primer. Ps the factory Remington failed to fire. First one. So I pulled bullets and 4 had water in them.

It probably doesn't help any, but I can't prove the sealant hurts accuracy or velocity. Me nor my equipment are good enough to tell a difference.

Might just have to do a test. Can't imagine how a little sealant around the primer would affect anything with the load's ballistics. Thanks for the input!

 

[Eric_F]

I've been looking at this too for long term storage. The cheapest I found for the volume was this Ukrainian sealant, has good reviews: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303049762844

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'm curious if we can go the welfare route and just use cheapo clear nail polish?

 

[WMag338]

Interesting topic. Never thought of this. Following along. Curious, too, about the clear nail polish.

 

[Eric_F]

My understanding is the purpose made sealants are more rubbery, less likely to flake off. Acrylate based in the first example I found.

Fingernail polish is nitrocellulose-based, which sounds like it might be tricky to mix with primers and powder.

 

[Vern400]

Might just have to do a test. Can't imagine how a little sealant around the primer would affect anything with the load's ballistics. Thanks for the input!

Gotta seal the bullet. Paint the joint at the case. That's what I thought might impact accuracy but it seems not to.

 

[kbox]

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