RCBS Collet Bullet Puller - WOW what a difference

[Thorvald]

I finally broke down and grabbed one of those RCBS Collet Bullet Puller from Cabelas tonight. Thought I'd give it a try over the "hammer" versions.

Wow am I a happy camper! Just drop it into a spare hole in your press, screw collet into handle and insert pulled, twist to lock and cycle press. Voila, no mess, no fuss, no powder everywhere, simple, quick, clean, no waking the dead smashing hammer-puller on floor.

It is also FAST. I can pull a bullet every couple of seconds with no physical effort (or more importantly noise).

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I'm a convert.

 

[VanMan]

Really liking the idea of that, but I think it may be too much of a pain to use on my Dillon XL 650. I wonder how this collet bullet puller would work in this Lee Hand Press? I probably have 200+ 9mm reloading rejects to pull apart.

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[Melnibonean]

I use the RCBS on my Dillon 650. Takes a few seconds to screw it into a spare hole and I'm up and pulling bullets in a few seconds. Unscrew the handle and drop the collet if you want to keep it there permanently on a specific tool head and be able to index the rounds through it if you want, but since it's so quick to set up, I just wait until I'm done reloading the batch I'm doing and then just pull the ones I may have screwed up at the end.

 

[CAN338lapua]

I just picked up the RCBS puller myself.Works like a charm!!

 

[horseman2]

My RCBS Inertia puller broke, and while I was looking at the RCBS Collet system it struck me as being prudent to have a Frankfort one.

Since then I bought the RCBS system and was quite happy with it. No detectable damage to the bullet.
Currently have three collets so have to decide what other two I will need. Wholesale Sports has a good selection.

 

[lejarretnoir]

I've been using the RCBS Collet Puller for 20+ years. It always works good.
The problem with inertia hammers is they break all too often.

 

[caperbound]

And if you have a sinus cold and you use a kinetic hammer puller it feels like your teeth are going to blow up when you strike the hammer.

 

[boltonscouter]

I've had one for a few years now & one thing is for sure ....... there's no going back to the hammer style LOL !

 

[hillbillyreefer]

And if you have a sinus cold and you use a kinetic hammer puller it feels like your teeth are going to blow up when you strike the hammer.

You're doing it wrong, on the floor not your head!

When I break my fairly new kinetic puller, it will be replaced with a collet style.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I've got a kinetic puller, two of them actually but I haven't used them since I got the RCBS collet puller. As we speak, I'm waiting for a 45 cal collet. In a recent two gun purchase, part of the deal was a sizeable quantity of 45-70 reloaded ammo. A little 'questionable' some of it and little definition detail period on the actual loads so I want to do a fair amount of 'checking' before I use any of it.

 

[hometownhero]

Way better then that stupid hammer. Some that I had to pull I was beating on the floor for 15 minutes for the bullet to come out. Not so with this puller.

 

[Chinbullco]

Have both bullet puller styles. Usually use kinetic type as its quicker to access. Use the hammer on 4X4" post end grain supported on cement floor. No problem

 

[(((Echo)))]

Have both bullet puller styles. Usually use kinetic type as its quicker to access. Use the hammer on 4X4" post end grain supported on cement floor. No problem

Same here. I find the collet puller is fine on rifle bullets, but if I have to pull pistol bullets with a heavier crimp, the collet can't get a decent grip without mangling the bullet.
About the only time I've spilled powder was when I was pulling a batch of 44 Mag loaded with H110. (wrong charge ) Two hits and most bullets dropped. Had one that didn't want to come out. About the fifth hit it popped and I didn't realize it was out. Raised the hammer for another shot and was rewarded with a shower of powder.

(E)

 

[wasrupzuk]

While I really like my RCBS collet puller it does have a draw back if you use Hornady LNL bushings- every time you release it it unlocks the die from the press.
The Hornady cam collet puller would avoid this (or ditch the LNL bushing).
Still beats a hammer any way you cut it.

 

[Bearcat]

Have both bullet puller styles. Usually use kinetic type as its quicker to access. Use the hammer on 4X4" post end grain supported on cement floor. No problem

X2 been using the same kinetic puller for all of the 25 + yrs of reloading . .....never hit anything but wood. Also have a collet style puller that a friend made collets for ..works great also

 

[dead meat]

I've had an RCBS collet style for many years, it doesn't like to release the bullet after being pulled. I don't use it often but when i need it i swear i'll get something better, never have replaced it though.

 

[TriggerTime]

Very happy with mine. It's made by Hornady but same principle of operation. I'm just starting out so all I have is a single stage press. It's adequate for experimentation for now.
I can see a reason to leave it set up just for this, if/when I move up to a progressive press. With the pistol bullets, yes it can be difficult to get a proper grip on the projectile, but I found while playing around with some surplus 762x25 (reducing the charge) that I could grip the bullet just a hair higher and push it in slightly to break the varnish, then pull out with relative ease. If it's doable with that small bullet (with a rather robust crimp too) then you should be fine with 9 or 45 ball

 

[K-C]

Really liking the idea of that, but I think it may be too much of a pain to use on my Dillon XL 650. I wonder how this collet bullet puller would work in this Lee Hand Press? I probably have 200+ 9mm reloading rejects to pull apart.

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As I was curious, I just tried it myself and Your idea won't work...

The RCBS Puller T-Handle is fixed i.e. not a sliding T-Handle. This means that you can't tighten the collet onto the bullet even if the die is backed out to the point where there are very few thread turns holding it in place. It gets worse with large rifle cartridges as you would have to break it over your knee to get the pulling action...

9mm full view

9mm closeup

30-06 full view

30-06 closeup

 

[twig_40]

That is the exact set up I am using, it works but the end of the handle on the "press" is just about too long. When the bullet puller is installed the handle of the press interferes with the handle of the puller when you are turning it to tighten or loosen it. Of course it only really interferes right when you can feel the collect tightening. I am really tired right now using the "ipad" to type so I hope that makes sense. My press looks different then that one, it does not have the black button near the die, but I bought it over ten years ago.

 

[K-C]

That is the exact set up I am using, it works but the end of the handle on the "press" is just about too long. When the bullet puller is installed the handle of the press interferes with the handle of the puller when you are turning it to tighten or loosen it. Of course it only really interferes right when you can feel the collect tightening. I am really tired right now using the "ipad" to type so I hope that makes sense. My press looks different then that one, it does not have the black button near the die, but I bought it over ten years ago.

My hand press is only two or three years old. I guess Lee made some changes. That black button is the plunge button to lock and release a Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushing...