Hello, I am new to reloading, what about water-proofing ammo?

lastchancebaby · November 2, 2007, 02:19 PM

I have heard that some ammo manufacturers glue their bullets to case? However, I was wondering if there is some substance that a reloader can use at the site of crimping that would add waterproofing and durability to ammo; for instance, ammo that will be abused terribly and maybe in contact with water occasionally and temporarily? Maybe the military has some tricks?
Thank you and have a great day!

azredhawk44 · November 2, 2007, 02:53 PM

Back in the WWII days, some ammo manufacturers would put tar sealant around the bullet. Some surplus still has this, most noticeably some Indian 7.62 NATO surplus.

Sellier & Bellot ammunition uses a lacquered sealant on the primer and around the bullet/case mouth that doesn't seem to foul anything. It's a glorified nail polish. You could do the same thing with a bottle of the missus' nail stuff.

PointOneSeven · November 2, 2007, 04:04 PM

Ditto on nail polish.

I wonder if aquarium sealer wouldn't work too. Only thing being bullets won't feed in auto loaders if any gets on the outside of the case.

sknowskier · November 2, 2007, 04:24 PM

I've heard nail polish, but, I've never tried it.

hank_scorpio · November 2, 2007, 05:15 PM

Cabela's sells 2 type of primer and bullet sealers. I have tried the Markem sealer, and it works great, goes for like $6 a bottle.

Tim R · November 2, 2007, 07:40 PM

It's a waste of time and been proven time after time. Might be OK for GI ammo which one neer knows where it's going to end up but for reloads just not worth the time and effort to end up with sealant on the breech face IMHO. I read a report where someone soaked loaded ammo for days and it still fired. I've shot hunting ammo which was over 10 years old and it still shot great.

rwilson452 · November 2, 2007, 08:54 PM

lacquer works I would suggest you thin it out perhaps as much as 50/50. Paint it over the primer and around the case-bullet interface. If your firearm is a light strike thing leave the center of the primer bare.

November 2, 2007, 02:19 PM	#1
lastchancebaby Member Join Date: October 29, 2007 Posts: 43	Hello, I am new to reloading, what about water-proofing ammo? I have heard that some ammo manufacturers glue their bullets to case? However, I was wondering if there is some substance that a reloader can use at the site of crimping that would add waterproofing and durability to ammo; for instance, ammo that will be abused terribly and maybe in contact with water occasionally and temporarily? Maybe the military has some tricks? Thank you and have a great day!

November 2, 2007, 05:15 PM	#5
hank_scorpio Member Join Date: May 14, 2007 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 18	sealer Cabela's sells 2 type of primer and bullet sealers. I have tried the Markem sealer, and it works great, goes for like $6 a bottle.

November 2, 2007, 07:40 PM	#6
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	It's a waste of time and been proven time after time. Might be OK for GI ammo which one neer knows where it's going to end up but for reloads just not worth the time and effort to end up with sealant on the breech face IMHO. I read a report where someone soaked loaded ammo for days and it still fired. I've shot hunting ammo which was over 10 years old and it still shot great. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

November 2, 2007, 02:53 PM	#2
azredhawk44 Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 6,465	Back in the WWII days, some ammo manufacturers would put tar sealant around the bullet. Some surplus still has this, most noticeably some Indian 7.62 NATO surplus. Sellier & Bellot ammunition uses a lacquered sealant on the primer and around the bullet/case mouth that doesn't seem to foul anything. It's a glorified nail polish. You could do the same thing with a bottle of the missus' nail stuff.

November 2, 2007, 04:04 PM	#3
PointOneSeven Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2006 Posts: 579	Ditto on nail polish. I wonder if aquarium sealer wouldn't work too. Only thing being bullets won't feed in auto loaders if any gets on the outside of the case.

November 2, 2007, 04:24 PM	#4
sknowskier Member Join Date: August 10, 2007 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 36	I've heard nail polish, but, I've never tried it.

November 2, 2007, 08:54 PM	#7
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	lacquer works I would suggest you thin it out perhaps as much as 50/50. Paint it over the primer and around the case-bullet interface. If your firearm is a light strike thing leave the center of the primer bare.