primer sealant

I think the benefit of sealing primers is to waterproof and oil proof it so that it will fire when asked to.

Do not know if factory ammo is primer sealed but I see S&B ammo with a red varnish-like primer seal. Military ammo primers are crimped in place which I believe is for reliability and water/oil proofing.

Perhaps a brand new casing will give a perfect water and oil proof seal. Reloads may not.

Never done it, but have thought of doing it. Then again, I don't hunt or shoot in the rain, and i always keep my reloads in plastic bags or ammo boxes in a drawer or padlocked storage plastic bin.

Any particular reason for sealing primers?
 
You could. But in the 1000s of rounds loaded and fired, including those taken out on mulitple hunting trips in all kinds of weather, never had a failure to fire. I have no interest in getting started. Unless you are planning to scuba dive with your ammunition, I would not bother.
 
I read a few articles of guys who tested the primer sealing theory and found that the normal unsealed ammunition performed exactly the same as sealed stuff when left sitting in buckets of water/oil for weeks to months. I think the only conditions are not having a loose primer pocket and seating things properly.
 
I think it is mainly used for Military ammo with long term storage requirements. Someone decided to bottle it and sell it to reloaders who feel they need it.
 
It just adds one more step to the reloading process, and IMHO a solution to a problem that's non existant.
 
I have always tried to keep my ammo dry and never had a problem, thinking that the primers' close fit would be waterproof, until an IPSC match in the late '80s at Guelph changed my mind. The match began in the morning fair but soon a light rain began and continued all day. It was very warm so once we were wet it was no great discomfort. My ammo ,.38 super, was in 100 rd boxes base up and it got wet as I filled magazines, not enough to accumulate water in the box but everything was wet. Finished the match with no problems. I used the remainder of that box later that week, maybe 25 rds, to practice before the next match, there was one hangfire very weak, and two duds! After that I sealed the primers of match ammo or used new WW primed brass. Never did have another match as wet as that one though.
 
Opcx6 said:
I have always tried to keep my ammo dry and never had a problem, thinking that the primers' close fit would be waterproof, until an IPSC match in the late '80s at Guelph changed my mind. The match began in the morning fair but soon a light rain began and continued all day. It was very warm so once we were wet it was no great discomfort. My ammo ,.38 super, was in 100 rd boxes base up and it got wet as I filled magazines, not enough to accumulate water in the box but everything was wet. Finished the match with no problems. I used the remainder of that box later that week, maybe 25 rds, to practice before the next match, there was one hangfire very weak, and two duds! After that I sealed the primers of match ammo or used new WW primed brass. Never did have another match as wet as that one though.
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Good to know. thanks
 
Thanks for feedback all. Came across the product on Cabelas website, and was wondering if anyone used it. Seema like it is more suited to people who take their bullets in out wet weather. On a side, I was looking at some my factory loads and it looks like federal uses a sealant. New to reloading so curious if I should be using it ... but seems it is something I need at that time.
 
explorin2 said:
Thanks for feedback all. Came across the product on Cabelas website, and was wondering if anyone used it. Seema like it is more suited to people who take their bullets in out wet weather. On a side, I was looking at some my factory loads and it looks like federal uses a sealant. New to reloading so curious if I should be using it ... but seems it is something I need at that time.
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I believe you will find that all factory ammo from the major manufacturers is sealed, both at the primer and at the case neck, to prevent moisture and lubricants from killing the primer and the propellant. Penetrating lubricants can kill the round much faster than water alone.

Iirc Ross Seyfried had several articles detailing this procedure. I for one wouldn't want to be facing a p*ssed off lion/leopard/brown bear or home invader and have a round go 'click' or worse 'pop', putting a bullet in the barrel!
 
Opcx6 said:
I believe you will find that all factory ammo from the major manufacturers is sealed, both at the primer and at the case neck, to prevent moisture and lubricants from killing the primer and the propellant. Penetrating lubricants can kill the round much faster than water alone.

Iirc Ross Seyfried had several articles detailing this procedure. I for one wouldn't want to be facing a p*ssed off lion/leopard/brown bear or home invader and have a round go 'click' or worse 'pop', putting a bullet in the barrel!
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Interesting info ... makes sense ... will see if I can track down Iirc's atricles on the web. Thanks
 
WalMart sells a clear type of nail polish called Hard as Nails. It can be used to seal the primer by painting around the edge. It is very watery and will fill the joint well.

If I was going to hunt in a very wet place and maybe with the risk of a dunking, I would seal the primers and also wet the inside necks with the polish.

I have never actually done this and have never had a problem. But the technique is there.
 
If you want to seal the primer, you might also want to seal the bullet.

I've never had a dead primer, even after washer/dryer cycles, but I have had a squib caused by oil contamination of the gunpowder.

P.S.: Beware of oil (in your chamber).
 
Just cruise past the makeup section of the local drug store. If this creeps you out, get your wife to do it. :D

Just look for the cheapest nail polish they have, or wait for a sale. It comes in a variety of colors (you can often get the oddball colors other than red for cheap). You can even get clear.

A little nail polish goes a LONG way, so no need for more than a bottle or two. Get a couple different colors, as this will help you color code your reloads. Just brush some over the primer, slop it on. Then using an old t-shirt just lightly wipe it off. The polish will stay in the crevese of the primer and not wipe out. It will dry in a few minutes, and should seal the primer very well.

Now all you have to do is explain to your hunting buddies why your ammo has Maybelline Hot Pink primer sealant.
 
If your primer pockets loosen up you can use nail polish to keep the primer in. I had this problem with some 9mm Norinco brass, I eventually sorted it all out but until then clear nail polish worked.
 
explorin2 said:
just wondering if anyone uses primer sealant when reloading? If so what are the benefits?
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I have used it for all my steel shot reloads since day one.We spend a lot of time in the wet weather as does the shells so i find it does help keep the primer etc stay dry.Would buy it at one time from BP but now just use the wife's clear finger nail stuff :D That works just a good
 
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