How/whether to extract a bullet from a dummy round?

[Cassidy]

I am accumulating, after a number of batches trying different bulles, a small pile of dummy rounds (no primer, no powder) used to set bullet depth, etc. Any ideas about the best way to extract (I'm no dentist) the bullet from the cases. These are 6.5 mm bullets (Berger, Scenar) in 6.5x47 Lapua cases, so if they are usable (the bullets and cases) once extracted, how do I extract them, and is it advisable to use them to load new rounds. Or will they be rendered inaccurate and/or unsafe? Any thoughts or should I trash both the bullets and cases.

 

[Immike]

Everyone needs a inertia hammer for pulling bullets. Put a few patches in the bullet end to protect the tips. By all means don't waste anything.

 

[MNFinn]

yup. an inertia hammer is a great tool to have around. I have pulled bullets from dummy rounds and used them in live ammo

 

[K22]

Get an interia bullet puller - with the cost of bullets it will pay for itself in no time.

 

[expiper]

I use em all --hammer type--colet type --plier type....when in a hurry at a match or at home the plier type is my favorite,,,,no spilled powder and much quiker....Roger

 

[Shynloco]

To answer the last part of your question, DON'T throw the casings or bullets away. Just becareful in pulling the bullets apart and if you somehow scar or ding a bullet, use 0000 steel cool to smooth over the abrasion. And from all the other answers, you can see why there are so many products sold in the field reloading....everyone has their favorites. Personally, I'm a Bullet Puller guy as I take apart fully loaded rounds all the time while testing loads. I do have a Kenetic Puller as well and frankly hate using the darn thing, especially with a loaded round. So I have the Hornady Cam Lock Bullet Puller, which by the way is out of stock at most suppliers because it is in such great demand. Now you can get the Kenetic Pullet and thats available anywhere for a lot less. Guess it's all in what you feel comfortable with, but in your situation with "dummy" rounds, the Kenetic Puller will work fine. I'm just not a big fan of slamming anything that goes BOOM against a hard surface. But then too, after more than 50 years of shooting, I've seen some of the dumbest stunts you could imagine with folks destroying their weaposns and sometimes themselves in the process of displaying their own stupidty.

 

[Old Navy]

Colet die is my favorite. Later! Frank

 

[NCFrank]

I am accumulating, after a number of batches trying different bulles, a small pile of dummy rounds (no primer, no powder) used to set bullet depth, etc.

By all means the Kenetic puller will be the least expensive and will work just fine especially for this application. You're pulling apart dummy rounds. As stated, Don't waste anything. You can use those bullets and the brass. And yes, you want to make sure you have something in the bottom of the puller head to cushion the bullet. Some come with a thick piece of felt.

I've pulled apart many live rounds (pistol and rifle) with the Kenetic and the other types do make it easier with respect to dealing with the powder.

A recommendation I would make is this:
If you are ever pulling bullets that have been in the case for some time an adheasion can sometimes develop, or any ammo where a sealer has been applied such as military ammo, then run it up in the seater die and push the bullet just enough to break the adheasion or seal between the bullet and the case.

 

[spclark]

Kinetic puller's the least costly route. I stick a foam earplug into mine to cushion the bullet's encounter with the end of the chamber.

Look carefully at the pulled bullet jackets for signs of scraping or other damage from being seated. If you didn't load the rounds you're pulling, you never know what you'll find. I'd save those bullets for foulers myself, rather than take a chance on weird sighters or worse....

 

[lpreddick]

i use both...kinetic for a quickie and the hornady collet if i have to pull several. inspection of the portion of the bullet that was in the case neck will tell you A LOT about how well you prepped the cases neck...chamfer and debur. multiple streaks mean i have some very small burrs on the case mouth. a neat trick i learned on this site is to use a case holder in the kinetic and you won't have a case slipping out as it can from the aluminum holder,esp as the little rubber band ages. also neat for rebated rims that seem to slip out routinely in my kinetic. right on re pulling bullets from cases loaded for a "long" time. seat the bullet a few thous and often hear that little pop. now they come out easier. good point!

 

[Shynloco]

I am accumulating, after a number of batches trying different bulles, a small pile of dummy rounds (no primer, no powder) used to set bullet depth, etc.

A recommendation I would make is this:
If you are ever pulling bullets that have been in the case for some time an adheasion can sometimes develop, or any ammo where a sealer has been applied such as military ammo, then run it up in the seater die and push the bullet just enough to break the adheasion or seal between the bullet and the case.

Excellent, excellent recommendation to save wear and tear on the bullet and making the job much easier than trying to strongarm the process. Kudos to NCFrank!

 

[lpreddick]

did not know this...current issue of shooting times (april 2013) has an article on inertial bullet pullers and the author refers to people discharging a live round during use of such a device! high primers and perhaps loose pocket allows a primer to move suddenly and compress the anvil igniting the charge. never even gave a thought of this. he also cautions against using a shellholder as i noted that i have. live and learn.