Pulling bullets worth it? and the mess?

I

ilikeoldguns

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So I have got this great bullet puller and I have been using it to remedy some of my early reloading mistakes; pulling some jacketed .303 rounds with no issues to the bullet, but some damage to the case.

So am i doing *that* right? I guess the cases should just be seen as write-offs when pulling bullets?

I have also been working on some equally messed-up .45c's all with the bullet pushed too far down or the primer inserted upside-down. And it works, but i get a lot of tool marks on the cast bullets *and* the cases are pretty muffed up.

When I work with the improperly-loaded cases obviously when case and bullet part company, I get the powder all over and the case goes flying. Anyone got any tricks to mitigate that? Shopping bag over the whole thing?
 
I recently purchased a rcbs collet style bullet puller that is a die that you use with your press. Love it and have not had any damage to any of the components
 
I assume you are using a collet style bullet puller in a press?

If you are spilling powder everywhere, every time, whether using a collet bullet puller or a kinetic one, you are doing something wrong.

I use a kinetic bullet puller (looks like a hammer) and it traps the bullet and all the powder inside the hollow head of the hammer. Brass is never damaged.
Even with a collet style one there are usually only small marks on the bullet and the case should be undamaged. If you do it gently all the powder should stay in the case.
 
ilikeoldguns said:
So I have got this great bullet puller and I have been using it to remedy some of my early reloading mistakes; pulling some jacketed .303 rounds with no issues to the bullet, but some damage to the case.

So am i doing *that* right? I guess the cases should just be seen as write-offs when pulling bullets?

I have also been working on some equally messed-up .45c's all with the bullet pushed too far down or the primer inserted upside-down. And it works, but i get a lot of tool marks on the cast bullets *and* the cases are pretty muffed up.

When I work with the improperly-loaded cases obviously when case and bullet part company, I get the powder all over and the case goes flying. Anyone got any tricks to mitigate that? Shopping bag over the whole thing?
Click to expand...

Yes I have trick to fix your problem, buy a better inertia puller.

http://ads.midwayusa.com/find?userSearchQuery=bullet+pullers&itemsperpage=24&statuses=In%20Stock&statuses=Available&statuses=Closeout%20Special&searchscope=all&cm_mmc=ps_google-_-google-_-RL_Metallic_Reloading_Equipment_Beta_G-_-bullet+pullers&gclid=CJvzw8nK58MCFUnl7AodkzgALA

I use the Frankford Arsenal Impact Bullet Puller with the 3 Collet Set and use it on my concrete basement floor. If using this type of puller requires too much effort then get a press mounted puller.
 
Have the Hornady one with different collets.. it is very gentle on the bullet and have saved quite a bit of hassel..so I think it's worth it..
 
ilikeoldguns said:
So I have got this great bullet puller and I have been using it to remedy some of my early reloading mistakes; pulling some jacketed .303 rounds with no issues to the bullet, but some damage to the case.

So am i doing *that* right? I guess the cases should just be seen as write-offs when pulling bullets?

I have also been working on some equally messed-up .45c's all with the bullet pushed too far down or the primer inserted upside-down. And it works, but i get a lot of tool marks on the cast bullets *and* the cases are pretty muffed up.

When I work with the improperly-loaded cases obviously when case and bullet part company, I get the powder all over and the case goes flying. Anyone got any tricks to mitigate that? Shopping bag over the whole thing?
Click to expand...

I use an rcbs inertia (hammer) style puller. 0 damage to case and very little consequence to the projectile and the powder is contained. When pulling bullets from a case with no primer. I sometimes put a little dab of masking tape over the primer hole.
 
What bullet puller are you using? I use the RCBS bullet puller die and lower the ram slowly. I've never damaged any brass or bullets pulling 'em. The odd time I was a little rough and spilled powder when the bullet popped free. I use an inertia puller for handgun ammo.
 
ilikeoldguns said:
So I have got this great bullet puller and I have been using it to remedy some of my early reloading mistakes; pulling some jacketed .303 rounds with no issues to the bullet, but some damage to the case.

So am i doing *that* right? I guess the cases should just be seen as write-offs when pulling bullets?

I have also been working on some equally messed-up .45c's all with the bullet pushed too far down or the primer inserted upside-down. And it works, but i get a lot of tool marks on the cast bullets *and* the cases are pretty muffed up.

When I work with the improperly-loaded cases obviously when case and bullet part company, I get the powder all over and the case goes flying. Anyone got any tricks to mitigate that? Shopping bag over the whole thing?
Click to expand...

I've pulled a lot of bullets with both a hammer type and a collet type puller never ruined any components or lost powder, I also must ask what are you using to pull these bullets with, pliers perhaps.
 
bigedp51 said:
I use the Frankford Arsenal Impact Bullet Puller with the 3 Collet Set and use it on my concrete basement floor. If using this type of puller requires too much effort then get a press mounted puller.
Click to expand...

This

zuke said:
I put a foam ear plug in the bottom of my puller
Click to expand...

and this...

The only problem I've ever had is 50-70 won't fit in the puller. :)
 
Like LUTNIT says, if you have stuff flying around, you're doing something wrong. The kinetic pullers eliminate any chance of stuff flying around. No need for ear plugs in 'em either.
The whole point of pulling bullets is to reuse the components. So if the cases are getting damaged, you're doing something wrong.
 
I muct be doing something wrong then.

I'm using a frankford inertial bullet puller and I *thought* I was following the diagrams properly. I just stick the cartridge in the collet and tighten it down around the bullet. Is that the wrong part? should it be on the case neck?
 
ilikeoldguns said:
I muct be doing something wrong then.

I'm using a frankford inertial bullet puller and I *thought* I was following the diagrams properly. I just stick the cartridge in the collet and tighten it down around the bullet. Is that the wrong part? should it be on the case neck?
Click to expand...

Neither. The collet of an inertial puller tightens around the head of the case. And the cartridge is positioned so that the entirety of the cartridge is inside the hollow part of the head of the hammer (except for the exposed headstamp area. Then you use the puller as you would a hammer and strike the side opposite the exposed primer. The key part about the inertial puller is that the heaviest part of the cartridge (the bullet itself) is floating freely inside the hammerhead. That way it has the most inertial to fall forward after the rest of the cartridge stops.

I can definitely see that if you mounted it backwards then yes, the collet would leave marks on the bullet, and you would have to provide that much more striking force as the case wouldn't provide as much mass and inertia as the bullet. Consequently, I could see that making quite the mess.

Now that I've taken the time to give a proper answer, I feel much better about being an ass.

That post gave me a good laugh, thanks. But all the same, thank you for not being shy and asking a question. I just had the line pop in my head: "you're doing it wrong"...

If my description isn't good enough, please let me know, and I'll include pictures.
 
FF57 said:
and strike the side opposite the exposed primer.
Click to expand...

Proof reading my post and I realized how legally incorrect that sentence was. I should say "opposite the exposed headstamp". Of course one should never use an inertial puller on a primed case :bsFlag:
 
Wow, I totally see how I was miss-interpreting the instructions that came with the puller. I just went and salvaged about 10 or so bullets.

Thanks fellas!
 
The instructions on mine say to never use it on concrete, but i find hitting lumber is too cushioned. Maybe it's because I'm pulling down milsurp x54r to load up my 303...
 
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