Bullet puller recommendations
- Thread starter Xterra282
- Start date
I have been using inertia pullers for 40 years and I know I have pulled several thousand bullets with them over that time. I broke exactly ONE more than 20 years ago and RCBS replaced it for free. I'm still using the replacement. I always hit it on a concrete floor and the only bullets I have not been able to pull are 98 gr. wadcutters out of 32 S&W Long brass (mainly because bullets are light and the rim is so small it slips out of the collet).
I'm not sure what people who say they break inertia pullers all the time are doing wrong but in my experience they are nearly indestructible. The best part is they are pretty much universal in which bullets they can be used for whereas the collet pullers need a different collet for each calibre which can start to run into quite a few bucks if you load for several calibres.
I'm not sure what people who say they break inertia pullers all the time are doing wrong but in my experience they are nearly indestructible. The best part is they are pretty much universal in which bullets they can be used for whereas the collet pullers need a different collet for each calibre which can start to run into quite a few bucks if you load for several calibres.
in 30 years I have only broken one inertia puller, it was the old design with aluminum handle shaft, broke the shaft so drilled out the part in the head and pressed it back together and it lasted 10 years, I called RCBS and they wanted the old one back and would replace it, I had discussion re shipping a broken one back was more than it was worth, a week later I sawn the old one up so it would fit in a envelope and mailed it to them.
month later got a replacement for free, 2 weeks later got a second one, I did call and ask if they wanted the second one back but they said keep it or give it to someone who could use it.
its all in the way its used, if you swing like a hammer hitting a nail you flex the handle, instead swing but relax when it contacts the surface, no flex and easy on the arm if doing a hundred or so, they are good for round nose that can not be gripped by a collet
month later got a replacement for free, 2 weeks later got a second one, I did call and ask if they wanted the second one back but they said keep it or give it to someone who could use it.
its all in the way its used, if you swing like a hammer hitting a nail you flex the handle, instead swing but relax when it contacts the surface, no flex and easy on the arm if doing a hundred or so, they are good for round nose that can not be gripped by a collet
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
So, put a ear plug in, or something to soften the bullet impacting the hammer as it flies out of the case.
But even without, I barely notice any major damage to my jacketed bullets I re use to set my dies.
I have Frankford kinetic hammer, RCBS collet and laser cut pliers.
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I have that one.. Doesnt grip every type of bullet.
I haven't had one nearly as long as you, nor have I pulled down thousands of rounds, but I've done a few hundred of x54r with that lovely milsurp sealant on the bullets without issue. I have a brick that I strike, 2x4 was too soft to get those sealed milsurp bullets moving.
Before I ever started "hammerin'" bullets out, I wrapped/re-enforced the thing with duct tape. Every which way I could.
I guess it did the trick, 'cause it's still in one piece.
I've broken 2 RCBS and 2 FA kinetic pullers. I guess I am too aggressive. I either use a concrete floor or the anvil portion of my vice. 2 pullers blew apart at the top right underneath the threads and two split straight up to the handle from the bottom. I have two pullers I bought in a pack, pretty sure they are made in the same factory as the FA model since they are identical aside from the FA markings. I got two for less than the price of one FA puller.
I have a Hornady collet puller, have pulled hundreds of 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R with it , works flawless and without leaving a mark on the bullets.
Have an RCBS hammer puller as well, but only use it if I have to pull one or two bullets, works OK but too time consuming to pull lots of bullets and collect the powder
Have an RCBS hammer puller as well, but only use it if I have to pull one or two bullets, works OK but too time consuming to pull lots of bullets and collect the powder
Bought mine from amazon, came with all i needed. Attached it to the wall beam. Works quite well, and i do recommend it. - dan
A trick to make pulling bullets with sealant easier is to run the cartridge into the seater die with the seater stem turned in another 1/2 turn deeper than the bullet is seated. The stem pushes the bullet a little deeper into the case, breaking the grip of the sealant and making the bullet much easier to pull.
An inertia puller works best with almost any hard surface (concrete floor, block of lead, steel plate, etc.). Wood does not work well because it is compressible and absorbs some of the puller impact, reducing the inertia effect.
The point I have not seen it is unlikely that you would be able to pull bullets using a collet puller. Collets require some length of parallel bullet surface to grab onto. Most 9mm bullets, especially 115 grain, are seated into the case without any area for the collet to grip onto.
I have never had much success using a collet for 9mm. As for the inertial puller, I use a ball peen hammer; I strike the inertial puller on the ball been, holding it in the air. There is enough inertia in the ball been hammer to pull bullets, and it avoids the pounding on floors and benches.
I have never had much success using a collet for 9mm. As for the inertial puller, I use a ball peen hammer; I strike the inertial puller on the ball been, holding it in the air. There is enough inertia in the ball been hammer to pull bullets, and it avoids the pounding on floors and benches.
