Pulled bullets?

lemmonhead · December 7, 2007, 06:15 PM

A little history first. I have been reloading for my brother in law's .280. I worked up a good load using H4831 with Hornady 139 gr SST bullets. He bought a box of Barnes triple shock bullets of the same weight and wanted me to reload a couple of boxes for hunting season using the same load data. I did not have the rifle and told him I cannot guarantee accuracy. Well needless to say accuracy is awful.

So the question is if I pull the bullets with a kinetic bullet puller can I expect to get decent accuracy out of the bullets? These are expensive bullets and I would like to make the shoot decent. I have the rifle this time and plan on working up a load.

BigJimP · December 7, 2007, 06:46 PM

unless there is some significant scarring on the neck of the bullets after you pull them - I'd reuse them. I routinely re-use bullets that I have to pull / or bullets from test loads that didn't work out.

If you have some uncertainty about the bullets - load them up in cases and mark the bases of the case with a marker pen - and just shoot them up for practice.

Thesenator · December 7, 2007, 08:13 PM

Bullets pulled with kinetic pullers(especially hand done ones) are usually very reloadable, its bullets done on high volume machines that deform the bullets which might have accuracy issues. These bullets usually have "pull marks"(a split line running parallel to the bullet's axis) and are more often than not a little out of round unless run through a resizer and brought back into round.
I shoot alot of pulled bullets for plinking ammo at 100yds and they work just fine for that, for longer ranges or more precision shooting I use new bullets.

If you are using lead tipped hunting bullets and the tip is deformed badly, as posted above, use them for practice.

lemmonhead · December 8, 2007, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the responses. Since they are Barnes bullets and a little expensive I will reload them. I do not have much experience with Barnes bullets but I’m a little surprised at how bad they shot with a load that should have been a little functional. Lesson learned though. If I can get them down to 1" to 1 1/2" at 100 yards that will probably be good enough for him.

Slamfire · December 8, 2007, 11:56 AM

Every so often I have to pull match bullets. I use a kinetic bullet puller when possible. I will shoot the stuff again, will shoot perfect, or pretty close to perfect scores in the rapids out to 300 yards.

But at 600 yards, in the back of my head I am thinking, "is that a used bullet", so I use NIB bullets at that yard line. I really doubt there is any on target difference, but you have to calm your fears...

snuffy · December 8, 2007, 12:27 PM

TIP. Put a foam earplug in the bottom of that kinetic puller, to avoid damaging the tip of the bullet. Works for the lead tipped as well.

Most guns can't tell the difference between pulled bullets and NIB ones.

RDub · December 8, 2007, 01:28 PM

Most guns can't tell the difference between pulled bullets and NIB ones.

Exactly right!

However.. You can damage bullets if they come out too hard.. So, a little technique is required when pulling bullets with a kinetic puller. Most experienced reloaders already know this, but in case someone is just getting started...

As you see the bullet start working its way out of the case with consecutive strikes on the ground.. lighten up on the pounding and start 'tapping' until the bullet actually just 'falls' out.. like you just let it go with your fingers. Experience will give you the 'feel' for this.
And like snuffy said, putting something in the bottom of the well is very helpful. I use a little cotton ball shoved down, but not compacted too much.

Yep, Barnes bullets seem to require some messin with to find a accurate load in a lot of cases.. So dont feel bad.
Barnes does say, that their bullets should be seated .050" from the lands, and that is a pressure related recommendation and not necessarily providing the best accuracy..

December 7, 2007, 06:15 PM	#1
lemmonhead Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: North Las Vegas, NV Posts: 23	Pulled bullets? A little history first. I have been reloading for my brother in law's .280. I worked up a good load using H4831 with Hornady 139 gr SST bullets. He bought a box of Barnes triple shock bullets of the same weight and wanted me to reload a couple of boxes for hunting season using the same load data. I did not have the rifle and told him I cannot guarantee accuracy. Well needless to say accuracy is awful. So the question is if I pull the bullets with a kinetic bullet puller can I expect to get decent accuracy out of the bullets? These are expensive bullets and I would like to make the shoot decent. I have the rifle this time and plan on working up a load.

December 8, 2007, 12:27 PM	#6
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	TIP. Put a foam earplug in the bottom of that kinetic puller, to avoid damaging the tip of the bullet. Works for the lead tipped as well. Most guns can't tell the difference between pulled bullets and NIB ones. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

December 7, 2007, 06:46 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	unless there is some significant scarring on the neck of the bullets after you pull them - I'd reuse them. I routinely re-use bullets that I have to pull / or bullets from test loads that didn't work out. If you have some uncertainty about the bullets - load them up in cases and mark the bases of the case with a marker pen - and just shoot them up for practice.

December 7, 2007, 08:13 PM	#3
Thesenator Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Posts: 126	Bullets pulled with kinetic pullers(especially hand done ones) are usually very reloadable, its bullets done on high volume machines that deform the bullets which might have accuracy issues. These bullets usually have "pull marks"(a split line running parallel to the bullet's axis) and are more often than not a little out of round unless run through a resizer and brought back into round. I shoot alot of pulled bullets for plinking ammo at 100yds and they work just fine for that, for longer ranges or more precision shooting I use new bullets. If you are using lead tipped hunting bullets and the tip is deformed badly, as posted above, use them for practice.

December 8, 2007, 10:18 AM	#4
lemmonhead Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: North Las Vegas, NV Posts: 23	Thanks for the responses. Since they are Barnes bullets and a little expensive I will reload them. I do not have much experience with Barnes bullets but I’m a little surprised at how bad they shot with a load that should have been a little functional. Lesson learned though. If I can get them down to 1" to 1 1/2" at 100 yards that will probably be good enough for him.

December 8, 2007, 11:56 AM	#5
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Every so often I have to pull match bullets. I use a kinetic bullet puller when possible. I will shoot the stuff again, will shoot perfect, or pretty close to perfect scores in the rapids out to 300 yards. But at 600 yards, in the back of my head I am thinking, "is that a used bullet", so I use NIB bullets at that yard line. I really doubt there is any on target difference, but you have to calm your fears...

December 8, 2007, 01:28 PM	#7
RDub Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 30	Most guns can't tell the difference between pulled bullets and NIB ones. Exactly right! However.. You can damage bullets if they come out too hard.. So, a little technique is required when pulling bullets with a kinetic puller. Most experienced reloaders already know this, but in case someone is just getting started... As you see the bullet start working its way out of the case with consecutive strikes on the ground.. lighten up on the pounding and start 'tapping' until the bullet actually just 'falls' out.. like you just let it go with your fingers. Experience will give you the 'feel' for this. And like snuffy said, putting something in the bottom of the well is very helpful. I use a little cotton ball shoved down, but not compacted too much. Yep, Barnes bullets seem to require some messin with to find a accurate load in a lot of cases.. So dont feel bad. Barnes does say, that their bullets should be seated .050" from the lands, and that is a pressure related recommendation and not necessarily providing the best accuracy..