Waterproofing Handloads with Imperial Sizing Wax?

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There are lots of threads describing the use of Nail Polish (and the polar solvent - diluted versions of those versions "designed for ammunition"), and how properly - loaded ammunition is sufficiently watertight on its own (?) - but how about a thin layer of Imperial Sizing wax along the sides of the bullet when seating, and along the sides of the primer pocket?

Bad idea?
 
Hmm. I always make sure I have lubricated necks with Hornady OneShot when I seat bullets. I have also lubed bullets in a bag with it. I have no idea of the water proofing capabilities of this procedure. And, while I’m sure there is some in there, I do not lubricate the pockets expressly. I have no accuracy issues, but I don’t submerge my ammunition.

Would Imperial melt or contaminate the powder?
I thinks it’s better than sending bits of hard enamel paint down the bore.
I guess the bad would be if it didn’t actually work.
 
Hmm. I always make sure I have lubricated necks with Hornady OneShot when I seat bullets. Would Imperial melt or contaminate the powder? I thinks it’s better than sending bits of hard enamel paint down the bore. I guess the bad would be if it didn’t actually work.

By default, the bullets I've used have been coated with One - Shot. Tried Graphite at one time or another in the past, didn't like the mess it made.

Funny that you mentioned enamel paint...

...Once upon a time, I used to scratch the paint off my bulk Green Tip ammunition thinking it would get me better accuracy :rofl:
 
Tried Graphite at one time or another in the past, didn't like the mess it made.
GRRraaphite!?!
Gah! Let us never mention this again! Ahhh! Where’s my whiskey and lighter?! Danged…
>door slams<
:D

Yeah, I don’t like it.;)

I do like the idea of bullets lubed like rimfire for water proofing, and the lubricant. Maybe just dip them in hot wax?
 
If I was in a swamp or thought I was a seal or something and had to carry my gun through actual water I would use clear finger nail polish on the primer and bullet... I haven't tested that but I sure wouldn't try and long range snipe with those rounds.
 
Zip lock bag?

What makes you think your rounds are taking on water?

I have too much time in my hands sometimes and once drilled and tapped a case so I could apply pressure after the bullet was seated. It would hold 130 psi no problem, that would be the equivalent of being 300 feet deep in water.

E4F3825F-BADC-4A2C-BC6A-8FC3FCAA9E1D.jpeg

Thats pressure on different sides of the case though. Reminds me of an old Engineer that always like to say “It’s a lot easier to seal water in than out.”
 
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I think the bearing or surface area on the bullet seal is probably too well sealed to be of any concern unless it is done wrong, or the rounds are damaged. The primer pockets on some ammo, isn't it sealed with something like nail polish on some ammo? I don't do this, but I think it is not uncommon on NATO rounds of various types. I think this is really though because that military ammo is need to get rained on, dropped in salt water, high humidity and/or high temp environments, and still working is a priority.

I don't think I would experiment with sizing wax, you might make whatever problem you're trying to solve worse. I try more to focus on having the priming tool clean, and not handling the primers with my fingers, or contaminating anything with oil at all. I think the idea on the nail polish is that, for the most part, I'd bet 90% of every round could get left in a glass of water for a good while, and still work after, even years after. Possibly the other 10% maybe might not make a perfect seal, imperfect primers or primer pockets that just aren't quite a perfect match. If you have them in an OK box, in a not humid environment, I think nobody would every notice any difference decades later, they would all work the same IMHO. It would take a very scientific approach to even try to notice any variation.
 
I know the military used a tar sealant, but I don't know if it was for water tightness or to keep the bullet in place. When I used to pull 174 FMJBT from M118 ammunition and place a 168 SMK on top, the best procedure was to push down on the 174 grain bullet to "crack" the tar seal, then try to pull the bullet.

I am certain Imperial sizing wax will make it easier for the bullet to move in the case mouth, as Imperial sizing wax is a lubricant. I don't know how much "wax" is in Imperial Sizing wax, may not be any at all. I can't tell a difference between Mink Oil for boots and Imperial Sizing wax. It could be Imperial sizing wax is mostly grease with some wax, or none at all.

Without a tar machine on our reloading bench, neck tension has to be the best water seal. I don't see a problem with fingernail polish on the sides of the bullet, but it may not stay on.
 
If I was in a swamp or thought I was a seal or something and had to carry my gun through actual water I would use clear finger nail polish on the primer and bullet...

I confess, I was imagining a "Swamp People" survivalist / prepper fantasy... :rofl:
 
What makes you think your rounds are taking on water?

I was going through some threads on a boating forum, and there were some members mentioning how "seawater always finds a way" despite best efforts with various types of gunboi nail polish.

It just got me curious, that's all.
 
Here's a pic of 50 BMG SLAP brass, you can see the tar sealant under the release agent for the SLAP projos.

View attachment 1085242 View attachment 1085243 View attachment 1085244

The primer sealant around the primers and some of the SLAP projos in the other pics.
Looks like red Loctite.

I have used red and black Loctite for ammo I know is going to get rough treatment in range bags, belt leather, speed loaders and such. But that was a long time ago when I was still a uncivilized redneck. Not the proper gent like I am now. :)
For what it matters it all shot just fine, never had a problem with drowned handloads or contaminated powder/primers. Not sure if it really made a difference or if I just thought it did.
 
I was going through some threads on a boating forum, and there were some members mentioning how "seawater always finds a way" despite best efforts with various types of gunboi nail polish.

It just got me curious, that's all.

You have to live in a salt air environment to discover just how corrosive it is. Everything deteriorates. Fiberglass fades and the surface becomes gritty. Everything electrical and electronic corrode. Light switches arc and that is when you know the leads are corroded out. Computer boards, even in houses with A/C, the board corrodes internally. Nails rust below the wood level.

I laugh at the ideas tossed out to have floating cities, floating houses, or vast number of people living on huge ships. Maintenance is beyond belief. The Merchant Sealift command keeps ships in New Orleans. Got to talk to the Captain of one. The ships are maintained to a status that they can be sailing within 30 days from the word go. These 900 foot ships have 25 seamen full time, maintaining the things. They are constantly pulling old equipment out, and putting new in.

I also laughed when the do gooders seized Russian yachts. Per one web site, a billion dollar yacht is going to cost $100 million a year to maintain. The fuel bill for keeping the mold away must run in the tens of thousands per day. Or hour!
 
I was going through some threads on a boating forum, and there were some members mentioning how "seawater always finds a way" despite best efforts with various types of gunboi nail polish.

It just got me curious, that's all.

Keep some ammo in a baggie with salt water for a few days and see what happens. I've ran reloads through my washing machine and they fired without issue.
 
Keep some ammo in a baggie with salt water for a few days and see what happens. I've ran reloads through my washing machine and they fired without issue.
My sister in law once washed a LOADED Taurus 85. Took it out, let it dry, shot it. Brought it to me for inspection, cleaning and lubrication. No damage to ammo or gun. Ammo was her dad's reloads, 158gr. LSWC-HP over 5.3gr. of W231. I told her NOT to shoot those in the Taurus - way too hot! - but her dad told her to use them so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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