RCBS Bullet Puller Collets? Bullet Removal Tricks?

[MikeMcCasland]

Anyone of you guys running an RCBS collet bullet puller have any tricks to get the collet to release the bullet when you loosen it?

In some calibers, mine works perfectly, and the bullets drop freely once you release tension. With my .30 cal collet however, I have to remove the collet from the die, and push the bullet out.

Anyone know how to loosen them up?

 

[topclass2017]

all of mine release freely. If I crank to much "tension" (grip) on the bullet I might have to tap the top of the handle to get the collet to release (drop down) from the taper. Once it is released the bullets generally drop free by themselves.

 

[KMart]

I would take the die apart and clean out the die body really well with a proper shotgun bore brush. Over time it may have collected some rust or sticky stuff. Put some Hobo Oil on a large patch or rag and put a lite coat inside the die body. Wipe a little on the outside of the collet. It sounds like the collet is sticking to the die body.
If it is still hanging, when you have unscrewed the handle about 1 turn, bump the handle down and see if it releases.
The collet may have lost its spring and now has memory and won't open. Go to your local RCBS stocking dealer and buy a new collet. They are about $12

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Well the problem sorted itself out. The collett was new, and after about 30-40 rounds, it seems to be releasing them a little easier. They don't drop free, but you can at least pull the bullet out with your fingers now.

I guess it just needed to expand/contract a few times to loosen up.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[danny]

Well the problem sorted itself out. The collett was new, and after about 30-40 rounds, it seems to be releasing them a little easier. They don't drop free, but you can at least pull the bullet out with your fingers now.

I guess it just needed to expand/contract a few times to loosen up.

Thanks for the suggestions!

If it acts up again, take something like a tapered punch and insert it into the collet (bottom) opening when removed from the body and spring the collet open just ever so slightly so that it allows the bullet to drop free. Be careful. It takes only a miniscule amount of expansion. Think in terms of multiple attempts of spring and fit checks.

Danny

As per Mikemci below, cleaning it first is the thing to do, but, they may be like some of mine were, and still need adjustment. Cleaning is simple. Start simple.

 

[Mikemci]

You are saying that the bullets still don't drop by gravity, alone. You also said that it is a new collet.
Did you clean it with mineral spirits or another solvent, when you got it?
It sounds like there may still be some cosmolene between the fingers, between the collet and the main body, or both. Give it a good cleaning and the bullets should fall right out on their own.

 

[tn6br]

I had a really hard time with a 6mm collet until I wedged a flat screw driver in the slits between the fingers and gave them a little pry. Works like a charm now, never tighten up an empty collet I think that is what can cause the problem to begin with.

 

[Gabe22BR]

Spread the collet with a screw

I had a really hard time with a 6mm collet until I wedged a flat screw driver in the slits between the fingers and gave them a little pry. Works like a charm now, never tighten up an empty collet I think that is what can cause the problem to begin with.

This !!!

 

[Willie]

When pulling bullets from older loaded ammo, I learned to seat them .010" deeper first. This breaks the "weld" and takes less tightening to easily pull the bullet.

If the bullets tend to stick, I lossen the handle about 2x 360* and jiggle the handle. Or, lossen tension and work the bullet out by hand. Keep die clean.

 

[klamathsteel]

Just curious why you are pulling so many bullets ??

 

[Liven The Dream]

I have changed Barrels and Chamber Reamers .
Old loaded Ammo needed to be Pulled Down .

I two had a .30 Cal Collet that required Cleaning and a good deal of massaging .

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Just curious why you are pulling so many bullets ??

In my haste to troubleshoot a concentricity problem, I skipped over case trimming this time. That usually isn't an issue, except I'd wet tumbled these cases with some 6.5 brass, and in doing so 'peened' the case mouth. I was getting perfectly concentric bullets, however the neck tension was variable due to the case peening.

I pulled them down, ran them through the Giarud, and recharged/seated. All is right with the world once again.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

While this discussion on pulling Bullet’s is going. Does anyone see that pulling the bullets, affects the accuracy over a fresh Bullet?

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Tapping the top works, I also used a ball hone in both directions to knock down sharp edges and burrs. Don't have to pull very often, but is smoother when I do.