Waterproof Overshot Cards

[Blunderbuss623]

So I roll crimp all my rounds, especially slugs. I don't use commercial plastic overshot cards because they are so frangible. They are made to be, I know, but if I drop a shell the OS Card often breaks leaving the round ruined.
That leaves me with cardboard OS cards. They work great, but are susceptible to water. Not great for hunting trips if it rains.
So, any thoughts on waterproofing cardboard OS cards that wouldn't effect the round? Maybe spraying Thompsons on it, or some other sealant? Maybe paraffin wax? What do yall think?

[jordanka16]

Paraffin or beeswax would be a good choice I would think.

[zarrinvz24]

Paraffin or beeswax would be a good choice I would think.

Concur. Paraffin will be easier to find.

[William Yanda]

Could they be punched out of plastic milk cartons, or even the plastic coated paper milk cartons?

[NyFirefighter357]

I know some guys are using the cheap 3/4" translucent bingo markers for 12ga. 1K for about $10-$11.

[sharps4590]

Waterglass? It worked for a long time in brass cases. Just a few drops with a pipette...and it's not very expensive.

[swamp]

BPI sells clear plastic over shot cards.

[Blunderbuss623]

I'm thinking wax as well. My problem with Acrylic or any poly sprays is this; what ever is on your shell has a chance to stick to your barrel. Wadding is hard enough to clean out of a barrel.

[farmbif]

hot melt glue, not the industrial stuff but the cheap clear stuff from the dollar store. not sure if it increases pressure any but seals real good
gave this some more thought and some options that ares leasable are wax and even bore butter.
let us know what you try and how it works out.
I just use waterproof camo shooting vest with big waterproof pockets with big flaps, right side for loaded ammo and left pocket for fired hulls.

[bcp477]

I use ordinary parrafin wax, on top of a cardboard overshot card. In fact, I do not even crimp my shells - I just use the wax. Works just fine, including for weatherproofing purposes. Never a problem with any wax buildup, either. It is cheap, easy to do and available everywhere.

I started out trying hot melt glue...and found that it will not always release cleanly from the inside of the hull surface. Very often, it would leave a lump of hot glue, tenaciously attached to the hull (I had to scrape it out with a knife blade). I didn't think that was a good thing, so I don't recommend that (though I cannot prove that it would be detrimental to accuracy).

[Hamish]

I know some guys are using the cheap 3/4" translucent bingo markers for 12ga. 1K for about $10-$11.

Cheap, easy, and effective. Last bag I bought was $10 on Amazon.

[Red River Rick]

Some may want to re-read the OP. They have stated that they do NOT want to use plastic over shot wads.

RRR

[megasupermagnum]

The only thing I see, is he doesn't use the clear plastic overshot cards that are brittle. Milk jug plastic will not shatter, and will do what you want. If I were to waterproof plain cardboard, I would melt beeswax in a double boiler, and put a handful of cards in it, let them soak, then dump them over a strainer of some kind. That will seal them. Commercial overshot cards are usually cut from a glossy cardstock, and that glossy coating sheds rain really well too.

[Polymath]

Got a mulit-hole card punching die at the good will store. I mostly use cereal box cardboard, but you could use the water proof boxes that frozen fish come in. I make nitro cards out of winebox separators for thicker cards.

[foesgth]

I use the plastic from the Costco cookie boxes (I really don't want the cookies I just need the os cards:kidding:). Most markets use similar boxes for bakery and some types of produce. It is clear like the ones that break on you but, thinner and has some flex. Hot glue or water glass will finish the waterproofing. You just need a 3/4" punch.

[GhostHawk]

I punch my own overshot cards out of plastic milk containers.
Unlike the store bought cards they are stiff but flexible, tough, and easy to make.
I bought a set of hollow punches from Harbor Freight and use a short piece of 4x4 as my backer.

Does not take long to punch out 25.

They are white, they take permanent marker well so you can mark them for shot size, buckshot, slug, etc.
They also keep filler from seeping out of buckshot loads.
Easy enough to sharpen when they need it.

[warren5421]

I use serial box carboard dropped into either bees wax or parrafin wax. Using a 3/4" die punch I cut over shot cards. I load black powder in my cases and have not had one not fire because of being wet. If I am shooting in a real wet day I will take the rounds I am using and drop extra parrafin wax or bee's wax on the card just to be sure it is water proof.

[beagle]

Second on the waterglass. I was once into loading brassies and that's all I used with good experiences all around./beagle


Waterglass? It worked for a long time in brass cases. Just a few drops with a pipette...and it's not very expensive.

[bedbugbilly]

Have no dog in this - but as far as finding beeswax if you need it - go on flabby - you can buy it in a 1 pound loaf - I need to replenish my supply as I use it in making my BP lube - IIRC, I think I paid around $7 / pound. I think I bought 5 pounds and in that quantity, the place I bought it from threw in a free pound. Easy enough to cut off a chunk and melt it in the microwave in a tupperware container - use tweezes to dip punched wad in and then pat on newspaper or paper towel to remove excess.

Or, once loaded, use an artist brush to dip in melted beeswax and coat the card.

Just a thought.

[kycrawler]

Dollar store finger nail polish. Cheap Elmer's glue .

[Hamish]

Could they be punched out of plastic milk cartons, or even the plastic coated paper milk cartons?

Yes.