AMMUNITION SURVIVING FIRE, WATER, AND LONG-TERM STORAGE: THE POWER OF PRECISION RELOADING SUPPLIES

The Human Manual

In the world of ammunition, durability and reliability are paramount. Recently, we discovered a fascinating product that has the potential to revolutionize ammunition performance – a device designed to apply sealant to the primer and bullet, making them resistant to water. While military ammunition already utilizes sealant around the primer and projectile, this innovative solution opens up new possibilities for commercial ammunition as well.

As an avid shooter and reloader, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with wet conditions. Shooting matches in the rain, lying in ice-cold water while in the prone position – my reloads have consistently proven their resilience against water exposure. However, these were all short-duration circumstances. It wasn’t until a recent incident that I had the opportunity to test the long-term effects of water exposure on ammunition.

One of our long-time employees unfortunately experienced a catastrophic house fire. As the intense heat engulfed his home, a significant portion of his ammunition cooked off. Plastic ammunition storage boxes melted, trapping water inside. Even the sturdy GI ammunition cans failed to protect the ammunition from the high-pressure water hoses used to extinguish the flames. When the still-closed ammo cans were finally opened, they were found partially filled with water. These rounds had been exposed to the elements for months, submerged in puddles of ash-filled water. However, from this tragic event, an opportunity arose.

556 Reloads with Unsealed Primers

556 Reloads with Sealed Primers

We were provided with a selection of ammunition for testing – 10 rounds of GI 5.56mm ball ammunition, grungy but still sealed with military-grade sealant, 10 rounds of the employee’s unsealed 5.56mm reloads, and to add a twist to the experiment, some 22 Long Rifle ammo.

Accompanied by a compact Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph, we headed to a local range to conduct our tests. Starting with the reloads, we fired them using an AR type rifle with milspec internals. These rounds endured no light hammerfalls. Surprisingly, none of the reloaded cartridges fired. Intrigued, we moved on to the GI ammunition. The first three rounds fired flawlessly, but the fourth experienced a significantly lower velocity and became lodged in the chamber. We had to resort to a cleaning rod and a hammer to remove it. At that point, we halted the testing on the 5.56mm ammunition.

Here are the recorded velocities for the fired rounds:

• Round 1: 3236 fps
• Round 2: 3195 fps
• Round 3: 3120 fps
• Round 4: 2145 fps

Wet 22 Long Rifle ammunition

With the 5.56mm ammunition assessment complete, we turned our attention to the waterlogged 22 Long Rifle rounds. Despite noticeable water exposure on the boxes, they held together. For this part of the experiment, we used a reliable Marlin bolt-action rifle. Astonishingly, not a single one of the 22 rimfire cartridges ignited. To ensure the functionality of the test gun, we fired a box of Aguila 40 gr HV ammo, all successfully.

Curiosity piqued, we decided to pull down a sample 5.56mm reload. To our surprise, it took a significantly greater number of whacks with a kinetic bullet puller to disassemble the cartridge than usual. Most of the powder remained inside, clumpy and unburnt. This phenomenon was reminiscent of squib handgun misfires. Additionally, the exposed lead on the base of the bullet had severely oxidized due to moisture inside the case. The case itself showed signs of corrosion both inside and out.

Wet 5.56 Sample Reload (Clumped Powder)

This extreme test left us astonished that any of the ammunition went off, let alone at acceptable velocities. It became clear that for those storing reloads for long-term use, applying sealant to the primer and projectile is a game-changer. The sealant significantly improved the viability of the ammunition, offering an added layer of protection against water and the elements.

In conclusion, precision reloading supplies have the potential to enhance ammunition performance and durability. While my personal experiences have shown that reloads can withstand short-duration exposure to water, this experiment highlighted the need for additional protection in extreme situations. Whether you’re a recreational shooter or a professional in the field, consider exploring the world of precision reloading supplies and embrace the power of sealants to safeguard your ammunition against the elements. Your shooting adventures will thank you.