Study of 4 kinds of primer and bullet sealer

[mstreddy]

Decoy, if you are using a press, you should be able to deprime live primers without any issues, as long as you go slow on it.
I've crushed a few due to crimped pockets as well.

 

[Decoy80]

Shoving the primer past a crimped pocket is more likely what killed it. You probably ether broke the pellet or it was sitting where the anvil couldn't reach it. Killing a primer isn't a easy task. It usually takes physical damage.

I'm lucky that the thing didnt detonate when I primed it by mistake. That is why it was in the dud bin in the shop and never got loaded. Im not proud of it It was just handy when out there using the anvil trying to see if there was any amount of force applied to the wet one would get it to detonate. I hope the picture is good enough evidence the wet primer was not going to fire in any gun. Thhe example from the dud bin gace a good report and did fire with half of the force I used on the wet one. Thanks for your interest I may make another sampling of those sooner than Id originally planned as I dont plan to store ammo unerwater but wish to use the most readily available sealer at the lowest cost that meets my needs. I just was wondering how long they would work if you stashed some in the creek. Im a country boy who would suspect you to have a small stash in a creek and find it if looking for a cashe.

 

[kingmt]

I think you should try soaking just the primer for a week then prime a case & see if it works.

 

[LiveLife]

I just was wondering how long they would work if you stashed some in the creek.

I vacuum pack my reloads for long-term storage, which is totally water sealed. Instead of sealing each round, have you considered storing your reloads in watertight storage?

 

[mstreddy]

OP, you may want to check out what the folks at the box of truth had test regards primers. http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-39-oil-vs-primers/
Not quite what you are wanting to test, but informative nonetheless.

 

[Decoy80]

OP, you may want to check out what the folks at the box of truth had test regards primers. http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-39-oil-vs-primers/
Not quite what you are wanting to test, but informative nonetheless.

Thanks for the link that is well presented with good pictures. Primers havent been a problem handloading as far as FTF for me but I only have experince using CCI. The FTF test subject was wet after I smashed it on the anvil I felt of the yellow compound. Im wanting to shoot another sample soon.

 

[firewrench044]

All my ammo is stored in Mil. ammo cans ( keeping moisture away )
but Self Defense and Hunting ammo is sealed, this ammo has to function when needed

 

[Decoy80]

All my ammo is stored in Mil. ammo cans ( keeping moisture away )
but Self Defense and Hunting ammo is sealed, this ammo has to function when needed

I totally agree with you and your time spent sealing the ammo you have to depend on to fire every time. I may to do some of the things that have been suggested here by other folk's. I learned to try something new if I wanted a different result long ago.

 

[Decoy80]

Hello folk's today is 2-11-17 and I have ran more of the sealed submerged bullets thru the Ruger with the results being 100% good. Originally when I posted this thread my lack of research was duly noted. I would like to thank everyone who even read about my first test on the subject of bullet and primer sealers. Special thanks for the posts,ideas and espically tolerance of my writing skills.
With the exception of one wet primer using Mr Color. All of the rest have gone bang. I am pleased to be able to report no failures to fire in today's samples. Markron guarantees their sealer thirty days submerged when applied as directed. I do believe that their product is good and some savvy guy or gal is making a killing selling it. At the present time the pink fingernail polish I got my wife is just as good and free as well. I also found where I had stashed the bullets I loaded that day and sealed with the same products and used the same technique in I their application. I fired 5 of each as well as the 5 submerged in water. The only difference is that they're clean and the submerged bullets have a white substance forming on the brass. At present it wipes off.

 

[Decoy80]

Walkalong feel free to delete anything I have double posted by mistake, Thanks

 

[Decoy80]

Hello all I fired more of the submerged ammo it's had a good 90 day soak and is starting to get a white film on bullets and brass. I didn't use any cleaners other than a shop towel. A simulation of your ability to clean it in the field. I had failure to eject and feed with no failure to fire. Markron, 8 bucks, Mr Color, 4 bucks, Broadway High Shine 2 bucks, or the Wet n Wild Pink you bummed from your wife all work sealing ammo when applied correctly. Cheap, and readily available primer and bullet sealer. Thanks for your time and comments. I think today I will conclude this experiment, dry and tumble the ammo and send it all downrange. Mr. Hopalong sir I think I've certainly learned something from this thread and if there's no further interest please close it when you get ready.

 

[kcofohio]

Decoy80, first I have read of your thread. Very interesting. Not that I feel compelled to the use of sealants at this point. But I commend you for your research. And one never knows when your info may come in handy.

 

[Decoy80]

Thanks for the kind words I have those bullets spread out on a towel drying. After a while in the corn cob media I hope they're shiny and slick. I am only going to seal the ammunition I will be carrying daily, hunt with or store long term. With one failure to fire due to a wet primer since the 12th of last December and the white film building up I felt like a month from now it would be too much to just wipe off and shoot rendering the ammo useless without tumbling anyway. In a pinch you might be better off with another cache elsewhere. At least when I store it in the ammo cans I won't have to put any desiccant in too. I have learned that the cheapest fingernail polish that thins with acetone is as good as the 8 buck's for a half ounce Markron. I'm glad you found my study interesting, I believe it was worth the effort for my personal benefit alone. Let this humid Mississippi weather test it out. By the way I'll come back and post any other information I gather while shooting it up. It's possible that I can have a wet primer or powder hiding among the rest. I can identify the sealer used by color.

 

[Dudedog]

and last Wet&Wild shine nail polish I snagged from my wifes stash

For those of you who are old enough to remember Lost in Space
"Danger will Robinson"

I don't seal primers and don't plan on starting but your information is appreciated. As mentioned earlier I would suggest adding a control group of unsealed rounds.

 

[hdwhit]

bds wrote:
I vacuum pack my reloads for long-term storage, which is totally water sealed. Instead of sealing each round, have you considered storing your reloads in watertight storage?

In my case, I seal the primers with fingernail polish (primarily for cosmetic reasons) and then place the loaded rounds in a plastic ammunition box and then store the plastic ammunition boxes in a steel ammuntion can with a dessicant bag.

 

[Decoy80]

Folks I finally tumbled the rest of the ammo that had been submerged and fired it yesterday. I only had 1 failure to fire and it was primer failure due to having been damp. Markron sealer was used on it. It had been submerged over 3 months.
Best bullet sealer I give to Mr Color model car paint just because it was thicker when applied and did not leave much residue in the fired cases.
That said all 4 products sealed the bullets as no wet powder presented on any of the ammo.
The pink Wet n Wild Shine I declare the winner as I snagged it from my wife of 36 years ( in 2 more days ) and I only paid half price for it.
Broadway High Shine 2nd place as I paid 2 bucks for it.
Mr Color and Markron neck and neck on each having a wet primer.
Markron last due to poor cycling and more residue left in the fired cases. It also presented the quietest report when shot. I possibly am to blame for applying too much of it sealing the bullets myself it was the thinnest product used. Their claim of 30 days submerged is true so Im not bashing them at all.
To conclude I am now satisfied that any acetone based fingernail polish thinned 50/50 with acetone will seal your primers and bullets good enough for long term and if good primers are used will not fail to fire years later when needed.
Thanks to all for allowing me to give the study as I have firsthand knowledge and have learned a lot.
This is The High Road of firearms forums. Your comments were much appreciated.