Bullet Pullers

millers5285 · January 17, 2007, 07:36 PM

I'm new at reloading handgun ammo, but have done pretty good with the advice from a gunstore owner. However, I have produced some "duds". I have the hammer looking bullet puller and can't seem to get it to work. A friend of mine said the crimps may be too tight for the puller to work. Any other ways to get the bullet out? Also, if I can't get the bullet out, how do you dispose of duds?

wolverine350 · January 17, 2007, 10:04 PM

RCBS makes a great bullet puller

clayking · January 17, 2007, 10:21 PM

Are you using the correct size collet?
Are you hitting in the correct direction?
Got pictures?.......................ck

Majic · January 18, 2007, 12:12 AM

Make sure you use the correct collet and give it some really good whacks on something solid like brick or concrete with the cartridge pointing down.

Thunderhawk88 · January 18, 2007, 12:28 AM

It may take a bunch of whacks to get the bullet out....don't be timid with it.

millers5285 · January 18, 2007, 07:39 AM

Just noticed I should have put this in the reloading section. Thanks for all the replies!! I'll give it another try.

NCHornet · January 18, 2007, 08:03 AM

You have to really smack it hard. A light tap won't get the job done. A bit of advice when reloading be by yourself, no tv, kids etc... no distractions, it will pay off in the long run.

cheygriz · January 18, 2007, 06:45 PM

The kinetic pullers work, but the press mounted RCBS is a state of the art better and easier.

Edward429451 · January 18, 2007, 07:10 PM

RCBS hands down. I've remnants from a half dozen kinetic pullers downstairs. Save the time & frustration, buy RCBS press mount puller right off the bat.

BigJakeJ1s · January 18, 2007, 10:20 PM

Collet type, on-press pullers are best, IMHO, and the best of them is the Hornady Cam-Lock. Uses a lever and a cam to close the collet, instead of screwed-down closer as on the RCBS and Forster, so it is faster to use. Some reviews on midway say the cam-lock does not work well on lead bullets, but I beg to differ; it works great on roll-crimped, 200 gr RNFPs in 45 colt.

Don't ask me how I know how well it works!

Andy

otasan · January 18, 2007, 10:46 PM

DO NOT USE INERTIA BULLET PULLERS WITH BERDAN-PRIMED CARTRIDGES.

I had a CA friend taking apart Chinese 7.62x39 rounds, and one went SUPERBANG!

JJB2 · January 19, 2007, 02:01 AM

every reloader needs a bullet puller some times..... i've had a kinetic puller from midway for years... you do have to whack em pretty hard on something solid to get the bullet to come out though... i've gotten so i can whack it and look enough so that if i've seated a bullet wrong i can usually stop whacking before the the bullet comes clear out of the case..... i've never broken a bullet puller of this style but i have heard of it....

LIFE IS SHORT.............

PsychoKnight · January 19, 2007, 11:50 AM

2 x 6 scrap lumber cut to your belt line, held vertically on floor, strike it like you are pounding in a post. 1 hard strike for pistol cartridges, 1 or 2 for heavily crimped revolver. Home centers have scrap lumber for really cheap.

A shorter piece, placed on a stool or short table also works, but will come apart after only a few uses. A long piece absorbs the impact w/out splitting.

Toolman · January 19, 2007, 07:18 PM

I use a Forster bullet puller. Yes, you have to buy collets, but I like it because it mounts in the press and the way the collet grips, the harder the bullet pulls, the tighter the collet holds. I don't have to whack it on anything and it doesn't leave a mess. It was expensive but worth it.
HTH,

millers5285 · January 22, 2007, 06:22 PM

I ended up getting the RCBS Standard Peller and it worked great. Can the bullets be reused?

deadin · January 22, 2007, 06:43 PM

The only problem with collet pullers is they don't work for snot on full wadcutters.

RevoRick · January 22, 2007, 06:46 PM

I use a RCBS kinetic puller. Works fine for me. I reuse the powder and the bullet.

Edward429451 · January 22, 2007, 08:00 PM

Lead bullets can be pulled with some dykes and a shellholder. Run it up in the press with no dies or puller in it and bite the bullet with the dykes and lower the ram. No reusing those bullets but if you cast they can be remelted.

CrustyFN · January 22, 2007, 08:51 PM

I use the shell holder from my press in the hammer type puller. It works better than the shell holder that came with the puller.
Rusty

ECLIPSE45ACP · January 23, 2007, 06:22 AM

bought mine at caellas, 14.99 works great, give it a good wack or 2 and it comes right out.

Crazy4nitro · January 23, 2007, 05:35 PM

CrustFN,
I used your shell holder method. It holds the shell nice and can be put in real quick. I was discouraged with the hammer type at first till I got torqued off and started hitting it on the Bench like I was trying to break it. Hmm,Imagine that, in just 2-3 hits the Bullet came out.

Crazy4nitro

Windwalker · January 23, 2007, 08:38 PM

A serious but funny little story about kinetic bullet pullers. When my kids were young and I wasn't too bright (still working on it) I had used a hammer puller in front of my little boys.

A couple days later I and the wife could hear a pop every once in a while, like a cap gun pops. Soon after we could smell something. I knew what that "something" smell was and ran down stairs to the basement. Somehow the number two boy had pocketed a few thirty-eight rounds and was on the basement floor with a small hammer making like daddy. He was hammering on the 38s deforming the primer pocket and if a primer fell out he'd hit it with a hammer, POP. I honestly think the number two boy has a true gaurdian angel because it's not the only time he should have gotten hurt.

He didn't get in trouble for his misdeeds, but I did started doing a police pat down on the kids every time they "Helped" me reload. They got a kick out of hearing, "Up Against The Wall You Little Varmints"

-----------------------------------------------

Life sucks when making a living gets in the way of living!

January 17, 2007, 07:36 PM	#1
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	Bullet Pullers I'm new at reloading handgun ammo, but have done pretty good with the advice from a gunstore owner. However, I have produced some "duds". I have the hammer looking bullet puller and can't seem to get it to work. A friend of mine said the crimps may be too tight for the puller to work. Any other ways to get the bullet out? Also, if I can't get the bullet out, how do you dispose of duds?

January 17, 2007, 10:21 PM	#3
clayking Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 796	Are you using the correct size collet? Are you hitting in the correct direction? Got pictures?.......................ck __________________ Never argue with an idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

January 18, 2007, 08:03 AM	#7
NCHornet Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2006 Posts: 1,001	You have to really smack it hard. A light tap won't get the job done. A bit of advice when reloading be by yourself, no tv, kids etc... no distractions, it will pay off in the long run. __________________ When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away!! Carry ON!! NCHornet

January 18, 2007, 06:45 PM	#8
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	The kinetic pullers work, but the press mounted RCBS is a state of the art better and easier. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

January 18, 2007, 10:46 PM	#11
otasan Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2005 Location: Hartford, Vermont Posts: 519	Warning! DO NOT USE INERTIA BULLET PULLERS WITH BERDAN-PRIMED CARTRIDGES. I had a CA friend taking apart Chinese 7.62x39 rounds, and one went SUPERBANG!

January 17, 2007, 10:04 PM	#2
wolverine350 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2006 Location: ponca city ok Posts: 746	RCBS makes a great bullet puller

January 18, 2007, 12:12 AM	#4
Majic Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3,888	Make sure you use the correct collet and give it some really good whacks on something solid like brick or concrete with the cartridge pointing down.

January 18, 2007, 12:28 AM	#5
Thunderhawk88 Junior member Join Date: January 14, 2007 Location: So. California, Desert style. Posts: 745	It may take a bunch of whacks to get the bullet out....don't be timid with it.

January 18, 2007, 07:39 AM	#6
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	Just noticed I should have put this in the reloading section. Thanks for all the replies!! I'll give it another try.

January 18, 2007, 07:10 PM	#9
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	RCBS hands down. I've remnants from a half dozen kinetic pullers downstairs. Save the time & frustration, buy RCBS press mount puller right off the bat.

January 18, 2007, 10:20 PM	#10
BigJakeJ1s Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2005 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 663	Collet type, on-press pullers are best, IMHO, and the best of them is the Hornady Cam-Lock. Uses a lever and a cam to close the collet, instead of screwed-down closer as on the RCBS and Forster, so it is faster to use. Some reviews on midway say the cam-lock does not work well on lead bullets, but I beg to differ; it works great on roll-crimped, 200 gr RNFPs in 45 colt. Don't ask me how I know how well it works! Andy

January 19, 2007, 02:01 AM	#12
JJB2 Junior member Join Date: December 14, 2005 Posts: 558	every reloader needs a bullet puller some times..... i've had a kinetic puller from midway for years... you do have to whack em pretty hard on something solid to get the bullet to come out though... i've gotten so i can whack it and look enough so that if i've seated a bullet wrong i can usually stop whacking before the the bullet comes clear out of the case..... i've never broken a bullet puller of this style but i have heard of it.... LIFE IS SHORT.............

January 19, 2007, 11:50 AM	#13
PsychoKnight Member Join Date: October 6, 2006 Posts: 29	2 x 6 scrap lumber cut to your belt line, held vertically on floor, strike it like you are pounding in a post. 1 hard strike for pistol cartridges, 1 or 2 for heavily crimped revolver. Home centers have scrap lumber for really cheap. A shorter piece, placed on a stool or short table also works, but will come apart after only a few uses. A long piece absorbs the impact w/out splitting.

January 19, 2007, 07:18 PM	#14
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	I use a Forster bullet puller. Yes, you have to buy collets, but I like it because it mounts in the press and the way the collet grips, the harder the bullet pulls, the tighter the collet holds. I don't have to whack it on anything and it doesn't leave a mess. It was expensive but worth it. HTH, __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

January 22, 2007, 06:22 PM	#15
millers5285 Member Join Date: November 25, 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 77	I ended up getting the RCBS Standard Peller and it worked great. Can the bullets be reused?

January 22, 2007, 06:43 PM	#16
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	The only problem with collet pullers is they don't work for snot on full wadcutters.

January 22, 2007, 06:46 PM	#17
RevoRick Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 201	I use a RCBS kinetic puller. Works fine for me. I reuse the powder and the bullet. __________________ Criminals thrive on the indulgence of an understanding society DW 10mm CBOB, 10mm Experimental, .45 Pointman GD, .45 Patriot CCO. DW 744 VH .44 6", 715 VH .357 4". Fusion 10mm Longslide XM-10 Tactical Hunter. Glock 19c, Browning Buckmark, S&W 686 .357 4", 629 .44mag 8 3/8". Uberti Cattleman .45LC. http://www.1911auto.org/forum/index.php?referrerid=24

January 22, 2007, 08:00 PM	#18
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Lead bullets can be pulled with some dykes and a shellholder. Run it up in the press with no dies or puller in it and bite the bullet with the dykes and lower the ram. No reusing those bullets but if you cast they can be remelted.

January 22, 2007, 08:51 PM	#19
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I use the shell holder from my press in the hammer type puller. It works better than the shell holder that came with the puller. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

January 23, 2007, 06:22 AM	#20
ECLIPSE45ACP Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 177	bought mine at caellas, 14.99 works great, give it a good wack or 2 and it comes right out.

January 23, 2007, 05:35 PM	#21
Crazy4nitro Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2007 Location: Lou-a-vul KY Posts: 142	CrustFN, I used your shell holder method. It holds the shell nice and can be put in real quick. I was discouraged with the hammer type at first till I got torqued off and started hitting it on the Bench like I was trying to break it. Hmm,Imagine that, in just 2-3 hits the Bullet came out. Crazy4nitro

January 23, 2007, 08:38 PM	#22
Windwalker Member Join Date: December 26, 2006 Location: Utah, dead center Posts: 19	A lesson well learned! A serious but funny little story about kinetic bullet pullers. When my kids were young and I wasn't too bright (still working on it) I had used a hammer puller in front of my little boys. A couple days later I and the wife could hear a pop every once in a while, like a cap gun pops. Soon after we could smell something. I knew what that "something" smell was and ran down stairs to the basement. Somehow the number two boy had pocketed a few thirty-eight rounds and was on the basement floor with a small hammer making like daddy. He was hammering on the 38s deforming the primer pocket and if a primer fell out he'd hit it with a hammer, POP. I honestly think the number two boy has a true gaurdian angel because it's not the only time he should have gotten hurt. He didn't get in trouble for his misdeeds, but I did started doing a police pat down on the kids every time they "Helped" me reload. They got a kick out of hearing, "Up Against The Wall You Little Varmints" ----------------------------------------------- Life sucks when making a living gets in the way of living!