Sealing Handloads?

You can use laquer on the edge of the primers, women's nail polish works. Brush on, wipe off the excess with a paper towel. No point in sealing bullets, the neck tension IS a seal. (No point in sealing primers either IMHO). I do think there is some merit to sealing shotshells, steel shot handloads for waterfowl comes to mind. Much more difficult to seal the crimp of a shotshell, and I don't bother trying any more.
 
for rounds that I want to store for extra long Periods ( 10-20 years )

I just tumble for 8-10 hours in new green media. It cleans off the lube ( yuk ) and leaves a great finish and polish. Enough protection that you cannot tell the difference from ammo I packed away in the 80's It has a thin invisible coating to repel air ( oxidizer ) and moisture.

I have also sprayed the base of some with a can of silcone boot lube. It drys super quick and did not build up.


The nail polish thing works as well. But it dirties your action with clear chiped off laquer bits.
 
nitro lacquer aka nail polish is what the factories use. Thin it with acetone and dab it on with a q-tip. If thin enough, the capillary action with pull it around the case mouth and primer annulus.
 
I don't really thing sealing is neccessary, or actually does anything.
However, once when I was going on a trip with my 44 magnum Super Blackhawk as a protection gun, I sealed up my handloads. Partly because I didn't have anything else left to do, and I guess partly thinking that if everything got really soaking wet, I might feel a little better, knowing they were sealed.
I used nail polish on both the necks and the primers.
 
So it's best to seal after? I like the idea of thinning and applying. Sounds quickest. I am still debating whether I am even going to do it. It's not like I would mind the extra effort though.
 
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