Bullet Pullers

[onelastshot]

Is there some special trick to using a bullet puller? Or have I just wasted $12.00 on a piece of plastic that's garbage.

 

[spclark]

You bought an impact puller, right? Looks like a hammer with a hollow head?

No trick, unless you're pulling crimped & sealed surplus stuff. Probably break the puller trying to get a lot of that stuff open, it's meant to stay tight 'till fired.

 

[T-shooter]

That probably is an impact bullet puller and they do work but takes a lot of effort in most cases. A much better choice would be like an RCBS collet puller that goes in your press. Much easier, less dangerous, no spilled powder. Each caliper will have it's own specific insert. Unless bullets are really stock or crimped, they come out without any damage. I still have my impact puller but use it just to reset bullet seating depth if I overdo it.

 

[onelastshot]

You bought an impact puller, right? Looks like a hammer with a hollow head?

No trick, unless you're pulling crimped & sealed surplus stuff. Probably break the puller trying to get a lot of that stuff open, it's meant to stay tight 'till fired.

Yes, it looks like a hammer, you didn't tell me how the damn thing works.

 

[SheepDog]

Get a piece of hardwood with the endgrain showing (like a round cut from a tree trunk).
Swing the hammer FAST and let it bounce. Speed is your friend NOT BRUTE FORCE.
I use a bit of foam rubber in the tip to catch the bullet without damage. The powder is a throw away.
It may take up to 5 good fast swings to get some bullets out but if your puller is bouncing they will come out.

 

[WillyTP]

A tip for the hammer style that saves a lot of time and aggravation. Instead of the 3 piece collet sets that come with the hammer, use the corresponding shell holder from your reloading press. Slide loaded round in shell holder, insert bullet down inside the hammer and install(screw) cap on top. Only hit enough to remove the bullet, usually 2,3 strikes depending on how much neck tension is present. Like mentioned before, I just use a small cleaning patch to protect the bullet point. I always recover and reuse the powder if it's from rounds I've reloaded. If it's rounds/powder from an unknown source, I suggest just dumping it in a flower bed and move on with life. Hope this helps.

 

[Ron Blain]

Let's see if we can make this work.

The Hammer

You should have three collets as pictured above.

Place the collet around the case. The collet that best fits. The rubber O ring should secure it.

Things should look like the above picture. The collet securing the case rim.

Place the end cap on the hammer and screw it down tight!

Now take the hammer and smack a brick, concrete and anything hard! You really have to whack the thing hard and it likely will take several hits. Make sure you keep the thing straight and hit at a 90 degree angle or the things break. Since you have a kinetic bullet puller (a hammer) that's about it. The collet type are better as mentioned, a RCBS Collet Bullet Puller works real nice and you add collets for different bullets but the collet type will not do certain bullets. Wad Cutter for example and other soft lead with no place for the collet to bite.

Damn, in the time it took me to come up with these cartoons two guys explained it fine.

Ron

 

[SheepDog]

Yea, but you have pictures Ron. But I think your picture shows the collet backwards... ???

 

[Terry Altom]

Yes, it looks like a hammer, you didn't tell me how the damn thing works.

Hit it on a concrete floor harder each time unti the bullet comes out.

Just put some tissue paper in the bottom to protect the bullet tips when they come out.

 

[BenPerfected]

IMO, these impact bullet pullers are weak.

 

[Ron Blain]

Yea, but you have pictures Ron. But I think your picture shows the collet backwards... ???

OMG, I don't believe I did that. Note: Place the collet on correct direction! I actually looked at it, thought it looked a little peculiar and just took the pictures. Real bright! Thanks for catching that and pointing it out.

Ron

 

[M-61]

Yea, but you have pictures Ron. But I think your picture shows the collet backwards... ???

I think so also. Flats down on the hammer and radius part towards the screw down cap. At least on my RCBS from years ago.

 

[onelastshot]

Let's see if we can make this work.

The Hammer

You should have three collets as pictured above.

Place the collet around the case. The collet that best fits. The rubber O ring should secure it.

Things should look like the above picture. The collet securing the case rim.

Place the end cap on the hammer and screw it down tight!

Now take the hammer and smack a brick, concrete and anything hard! You really have to whack the thing hard and it likely will take several hits. Make sure you keep the thing straight and hit at a 90 degree angle or the things break. Since you have a kinetic bullet puller (a hammer) that's about it. The collet type are better as mentioned, a RCBS Collet Bullet Puller works real nice and you add collets for different bullets but the collet type will not do certain bullets. Wad Cutter for example and other soft lead with no place for the collet to bite.

Damn, in the time it took me to come up with these cartoons two guys explained it fine.

Ron

Ron:

Thank you. You were the first person to take the time, with pictures nevertheless, to explain and articulate exactly how the process works. It now makes sense. I was attempting to use the thing ass backwards.

 

[dannyjbiggs]

Yea, but you have pictures Ron. But I think your picture shows the collet backwards... ???

It is.

 

[spclark]

Yes, it looks like a hammer, you didn't tell me how the damn thing works.

Sorry, I was on break @ work when I read your post. Not much time for detailed instructions.

Looks like other forum members stepped up to the challenge though, good bunch here!

You get it to work yet?

I have two, broke one & fixed w/new handle, second is cracked but the Hornady Collet Puller I bought a few weeks ago ought to help both of 'em live longer yet. Not tried the Hornady so far, too much stuff going on.

 

[/VH]

One more little tip about using it: make sure the cap nut is tight between every swat. They seem to break easier if it's not.

Oh and one more thing, if the bullets resist coming out fairly easily, it sometimes can help to seat the bullet a little deeper before trying to pull it, depending on the circumstances.

 

[onelastshot]

It only took 234 wacks against a hard copy book for the bullet to release itself from the brass! Let's just say that I won't be using this as a rule of thumb to take care of unseating bullets. Before I go through this exercise again, I'll find an old barrel and blow whatever bullet is seated out to never never land.

What really gets me is the basic fact that I've wasted $25.00-$30.00 dollars in new bullets and brass trying to set up a ladder test for a new cartridge. This is a very basic exercise, we shouldn't be having this debate. If I'd spent the extra $25.00 dollars on Redding dies we wouldn't be having this discussion!

 

[BillPa]

Yes, it looks like a hammer, you didn't tell me how the damn thing works.

I had one once, sold it for $.025 at one of my wife's yard sales and replaced it with a RCBS collet. Yes, the collets cost a few bucks but are cheap compared to hammering, sorting powder-bullets , frustration, racket and cussing.
Crimped bullets can be a problem but using the tubing clamp for flaring tool will make short work of that job.

Bill

 

[Ron Blain]

It only took 234 wacks against a hard copy book for the bullet to release itself from the brass!

Wow, that is far below national average.
Normally I use a hard surface like concrete or a brick when I do use the thing. I normally use the RCBS Collet Type whenever possible. Sorry I got the picture ass backwards.

Ron

 

[/VH]

A hard copy book ain't hard enough. Try it on concrete or solid wood end grain as suggested.