My kinetic bullet puller self destructed

[SS427]

Was pulling some bullets and my RCBS kinetic bullet puller exploded. Talk about getting freaked out. I thought something had went off, but all that happened was the cap that screws onto the top and holds the bullet in place broke. The case, holder, powder and bullet, along with the fragment of the cap when flying up to the ceiling and clattered to floor.

Utilizing farmer ingenuity, I scabbed some duct top over what remained of the cap and finished pulling the last three bullets I needed to remove.

Got a request into RCBS. I'm assuming they will send me a new cap, probably free of charge. Makes a good story if nothing else.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I had the same thing happen with RCBS kinetic pullers. I went through two of em.. Trust me, just go buy a Hornaday puller that screws into your press.. You will be much happier..

And the RCBS puller that uses your press sucks worse than their kinetic one. I gave mine away and bought the Hornaday rig.

 

[BigDMT]

Was pulling some bullets and my RCBS kinetic bullet puller exploded. Talk about getting freaked out. I thought something had went off, but all that happened was the cap that screws onto the top and holds the bullet in place broke. The case, holder, powder and bullet, along with the fragment of the cap when flying up to the ceiling and clattered to floor.

Utilizing farmer ingenuity, I scabbed some duct top over what remained of the cap and finished pulling the last three bullets I needed to remove.

Got a request into RCBS. I'm assuming they will send me a new cap, probably free of charge. Makes a good story if nothing else.

That probably happened because you were over tightening the cap. But mostly because you were probably using the worthless universal bushing that comes with it.
DO NOT use the supplied universal bushing that holds the case head. It is junk, throw it away. Instead use an RCBS case holder that fits in most reloading presses. It fits perfectly and free floats in the cap so there is no pressure on the threads. And the case will not slip. I have removed bullets from hundreds of rounds this way. The RCBS inertia puller works flawlessly when using the shell holder modification.

 

[SS427]

I will give the shell holders a try if I get a replacement cap, although I never had a problem with the supplied case holder gizmo. Not sure exactly what you would call that thing, but I will admit it was less than ideal. When the rubber band around the three parts came off, it was a pain to reassemble.

You are right, I was screwing the cap down tight.

 

[Joe R]

I had the same thing happen with RCBS kinetic pullers. I went through two of em.. Trust me, just go buy a Hornaday puller that screws into your press.. You will be much happier..

+1 Something like a hammer that you bang around is going to break sooner or later. That's why I prefer the Hornady bullet puller.

 

[Bonniville]

Hornady Cam-Lock only way to go.

 

[bobinpa]

Was pulling some bullets and my RCBS kinetic bullet puller exploded. Talk about getting freaked out. I thought something had went off, but all that happened was the cap that screws onto the top and holds the bullet in place broke. The case, holder, powder and bullet, along with the fragment of the cap when flying up to the ceiling and clattered to floor.

Utilizing farmer ingenuity, I scabbed some duct top over what remained of the cap and finished pulling the last three bullets I needed to remove.

Got a request into RCBS. I'm assuming they will send me a new cap, probably free of charge. Makes a good story if nothing else.

That probably happened because you were over tightening the cap. But mostly because you were probably using the worthless universal bushing that comes with it.
DO NOT use the supplied universal bushing that holds the case head. It is junk, throw it away. Instead use an RCBS case holder that fits in most reloading presses. It fits perfectly and free floats in the cap so there is no pressure on the threads. And the case will not slip. I have removed bullets from hundreds of rounds this way. The RCBS inertia puller works flawlessly when using the shell holder modification.

+1 I use the same method. The universal shell holder is junk and a pain to use. I have been using RCBS or Redding shell holders in the same RCBS kinetic puller for 20 plus years, works great. I haven't used the Hornady set up so I have no opinion on that one.

 

[navyrad8r]

+1 on the hornady
unless you are pulling a pistol round :-[
cheers
doc
besides the kids love the kinetic puller

 

[SS427]

Does the Hornady puller damage the bullets?

I'm an equal opportunity screw up, so I have just as many pistol rounds to pull as rifle. If I can get the cap free from RCBS I will probably stick with that for now. Will try the shell holders and not screw the cap on so tight. Once it goes totally tits up I will get a Hornady.

 

[lpreddick]

another vote for the hornady. a light pull leaves almost no marks on the bullet. really hard to extract will mark it a little, so i use these for sighters or shooting rocks.

 

[XTR]

Lord knows you guys must swing those things like you are driving 10p nails. I've had one for 25 yrs and pulled hundreds of bullets with it and the only thing I've ever had to replace was the o-ring on the collet.

 

[jghoghunter]

Lord knows you guys must swing those things like you are driving 10p nails. I've had one for 25 yrs and pulled hundreds of bullets with it and the only thing I've ever had to replace was the o-ring on the collet.

+1 with XTR
I've had mine since the early 90's and my dad has had one since sometimes in the 80's and they both work fine. Like XTR I had to replace the o-ring on mine. If you take the time to learn to use them correctly they don't even mess the point up on the bullet.

 

[Grimstod]

Does the Hornady puller damage the bullets?

I'm an equal opportunity screw up, so I have just as many pistol rounds to pull as rifle. If I can get the cap free from RCBS I will probably stick with that for now. Will try the shell holders and not screw the cap on so tight. Once it goes totally tits up I will get a Hornady.

Can't speak for the Hornady since I do not have one but the Forster one will pull bullets and leave absolutely no marks.

 

[SS427]

I'm back in business with the RCBS kinetic puller. Got the email today that RCBS is mailing me a new cap for free.

 

[BigDMT]

Does the Hornady puller damage the bullets?

I'm an equal opportunity screw up, so I have just as many pistol rounds to pull as rifle. If I can get the cap free from RCBS I will probably stick with that for now. Will try the shell holders and not screw the cap on so tight. Once it goes totally tits up I will get a Hornady.

Can't speak for the Hornady since I do not have one but the Forster one will pull bullets and leave absolutely no marks.

I have the Forster as well, but I haven't tried it yet. I got it because I have over 300 bullets to pull from loads that shot great in an old barrel, but not so good in the new one.

 

[STP]

Otter,

What surface/material are you using to for impact?

Regards,

Scott

 

[BigDMT]

Otter,

What surface/material are you using to for impact?

Regards,

Scott

I know I have always used smooth finished concrete for my rcbs kinetic puller over the last 10 years and have never had an issue. And I slam the hell out of it too. Still works great.

 

[LHSmith]

I believe most instructions state to hit against the end grain of wood . I use a short piece of oak 4x4 (scrap piece of a newel post) oriented so that I hit on the ends that show the annular growth rings. The end of my impact puller looks like it has never been used.....and it's perhaps 20 years old and used quite a bit.

 

[Hal]

To make pulling bullets easier on ammo thats been loaded for awhile, just run them thrrough the seater die and seat them a little deeper ,breaking the bond between the case and the bullet.

Hal

 

[SS427]

I strike mine on a fairly thick bathroom rug I have laying in my garage. Wife is always upgrading those damn rugs..... I always figured hitting it directly on concrete would destroy it over time, and I didn't like the loud bang as it hurt my ears. Takes a few extra strikes on the rug, but it isn't loud and I figured it would save the hammer. I think I was putting the cap on too tight.