Bullet pulling

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Frank grimes

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So I may have made a mistake when I was seating some bullets.
Using a Hornady seating die, I have a feeling I turned the die down one turn instead of backing it off. The seating stem was already set, so the bullets are where I wanted them. But I can’t tell if they are crimped or not. Would one full turn over crimp them? Crimping and seating bullet at the same time bad? I’ve never crimped anything before so I’m not sure.
I was thinking of just pulling them and redoing it. What’s a good puller? I think one of the press ones with collets. I may have not messed up, but I don’t know. So best to pull them I guess. It’s only 20 or so rounds, working up a charge. It’s for a 270win.
 
I can't offer much insight as to whether you should pull them or not.

I will say that the Forster collet puller works quite well. Available from Hirsch Precision, one of the site sponsors.

Unless you're using a Forster Co-Ax press, you'll want the universal version of the puller.

I've had mine for a few years now, no complaints in the times I've used it. Even if you don't pull these ones, it's a handy tool to have.
 
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How many and what caliber and use? Why did you need a crimp? I use a collet puller. Works well. Only 2 guns I have “needed” a crimp for was a light 375 Ruger and heavy loaded 44Mag revolver.
 
270win. 130gr accubonds. I don’t need a crimp. I think I may set the die wrong but i can’t remember. Not sure if one full turn down would be bad or not. They may not even be crimped, I can’t tell. If I don’t pull these I’m sure I’ll pull others.
Just want a good puller that won’t damage the bullets or case.
 
Frank grimes said:
270win. 130gr accubonds. I don’t need a crimp. I think I may set the die wrong but i can’t remember. Not sure if one full turn down would be bad or not. They may not even be crimped, I can’t tell. If I don’t pull these I’m sure I’ll pull others.
Just want a good puller that won’t damage the bullets or case.
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The collet puller with inserts in a great thing to have on the bench. As far as those loader rounds, go shoot them. Fine tune your procedures next reload. Taking notes at each step for each batch can help too.
 
Crimping adds a variable to the ammo. I avoid it, except when required, such as a heavy bullet in a revolver or tubular magazine.

I can't imagine any need to crimp a 270, if you have good neck tension.

I have a Hornady collet puller on my turret press and it gets used from time to time.
 
I use an RCBS hammer puller with great success. Instead of the flimsy aluminum holders I use my rcbs case holder, turn it upside down and screw it in. Quick & easy. To protect the bullets I put an ear plug in the bottom. Only problem is it will not work on smaller calibers like the 22-250.
 
If you turned the die down a turn, you will have seated the bullet deeper. A measurement should tell you this. And if the crimp isn't visible, I doubt I'd worry about it.
 
I really like the Hornady puller that uses collets. It's slick

For pulling apart a small amount, I use an RCBS inertia hammer
 
oNE OF THE TOOLS ON MY BENCH IS A MAGNIFING GLASS. iT COMES IN HANDY ALL THE TIME. fOR EXAMPLE, A CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE CASRE MOUTH SHOULD TELL YOU IF IT IS CRIMPRED OR NOT. Personally, I would not crimp ammo intended for a bolt rifle. The neck should provide all the grip needed to hold the bullet in place.

If you want to crimp, back the seater stem out a few turns, then screw the die in until you feel it hit the case mouth. Then turn a half turn more. This will get you a light crimp. With the round in the crimping position, screw the seater stem down so it touches. Lock everything in place. Now that die will crimp and seat in one stroke.
 
Frank grimes said:
So I may have made a mistake when I was seating some bullets.
Using a Hornady seating die, I have a feeling I turned the die down one turn instead of backing it off. The seating stem was already set, so the bullets are where I wanted them. But I can’t tell if they are crimped or not. Would one full turn over crimp them? Crimping and seating bullet at the same time bad? I’ve never crimped anything before so I’m not sure.
I was thinking of just pulling them and redoing it. What’s a good puller? I think one of the press ones with collets. I may have not messed up, but I don’t know. So best to pull them I guess. It’s only 20 or so rounds, working up a charge. It’s for a 270win.
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First of all, you don't require to crimp a 270 Win. cartridge. Second, you can go and fire them off. Third, a RCBS collet bullet puller die is a great product. Fourth, if you do pull the bullets, you must then resize the case mouth/neck to have that normal tension on the bullet.
 
Thanks for the replies. I’ve got a Forster puller and collets on the way. Like I said, if I don’t pull these I’l pull others.
I’ll probably shoot them off. And for the record, I know they don’t need to be crimped.
 
I think you'll like the puller, mine gets used once in a while. Every time it does, I save at least a dollar on the bullet, powder, and primer, more if I think the reload wasn't safe to shoot at all.
A light crimp can do good things for rifle loads. My 32 Special loads' standard deviation numbers dropped by about 50% when I started crimping them.
Not that a short range lever gun needs match-grade ammunition, but it was a result that I wasn't expecting.

I use between 1/8 and 1/4 turn of crimp on my 32 seating die.
 
Which puller I would prefer would depend entirely upon the projectile I would pull.

For non-competition (low accuracy ammo) and ammo with polymer tips, then I would use my RCBS collet die puller.
No matter how careful and gentle I am with removing bullets with this die, I always end up changing the ogive (length/position).

For my good stuff (that use for competition) then I would be inclined to use an inertia hammer.

Fortunately, I've only had to pull maybe 20 loads (of anything) in the past dozen years.
 
I use an inertia hammer. Works great. I’ve pulled lots of bullets from unknown reloads I’ve bought to stuff I’ve needed to pull before shipping and of course a few mistakes along the way��. Bullets are kept in perfect shape, powder is saved but does take a bit of time.

Where your safety glasses and use a solid surface.
 
Frank grimes said:
Thanks for the replies. I’ve got a Forster puller and collets on the way. Like I said, if I don’t pull these I’l pull others.
I’ll probably shoot them off. And for the record, I know they don’t need to be crimped.
Click to expand...
If I was uncomfortable with a setting I always pull and redo.. (That's me)
 
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