Shotshells waterproof?

[shotgunner]

Hey are shotshells waterproof?
I don't think slugs are, because of the opening at the top of the shotshell.

What would be a way to waterproof shells if they aren't already?

 

[SLCDave]

Wax?

 

[birddog]

I've had slugs dunked in a ditch that were used -- later that day -- to dispatch a doe. I think they're more waterproof than you think. I'm sure they're not water TIGHT, but I've had them out in some serious rain and the above mentioned dunking, without a problem.

 

[sm]

Shotshells will surprise folks as to how Water Resistant they are.

The term Waterproof constitutes a different connotation. FTC for instance forbids a Watch to markded "proof" - a watch Mfg can tell how you how "resistant" and to what depth. ( 50, 100, 300, 600..marked either in ft or m- depends)

That said - Yes we used to leave shotshells in the Duck Blinds for the whole season, exposed to cold, wet freezing weather - they always went bang, even the ones we had to break the ice to get into the Coffee can we kept them in.

Along came steel shot..these rust, will ruin a bbl and/ or choke with that glob or rusty metal exiting a bbl.

Candlewax, is great for the holes in shells that don't get a good crimp, or the hull has been reloaded to much.

Slugs are sealed pretty well too, now I have sealed the slugs with Candlewax as well - inclement weather. Even rolling around in the bed of a truck all season long, they fired.

Slugs- RIG Grease, Lithium, and even Chapstick I have used , when using a canoe or flatbottom to get to where I wanted to hunt. Chapstick makes a great line dressing for fly lines too.

I miss the offerings in paper hulled loads tho'

 

[Dave McCracken]

In the long gone days of my youth, I had on occasion to shoot paper shells that had been soaking in water for periods of up to a couple hours. Some were swollen enough that chambering them took some muscle. They all shot OK.

Modern factory shells are quite resistant to damp. BP sells some stuff to seal the primers on reloads, and recommends roll crimping reloads used in the wet.

 

[Gilmore]

Only shells i have seen that were water proofed are Federals tactical "law enforcement" line. There is some type of lacquer sealing the primer. I have a few cases of the buckshot and slugs i got from ammoman.com. They also have plated shot with shot cup btw.