Bullets Wont Pull!

[VancouverSkiBum]

I loaded some .223 rounds and the projectiles will not budge a single bit with my big orange Lyman bullet puller hammer. there's 20 of them. I don't have any presses and stuff, any suggestions on how to recover the bullets and powder? Cheers

 

[laurencen]

need the collet puller, not worth it for 20, maybe some member is close and will pull them for you

 

[ShawnC6]

Hit harder on a more solid surface, don't let the hammer bounce up when it hits the surface.

 

[Gatehouse]

Yup whack it on steel or concrete, not wood.

 

[07blackwater]

I whack mine on a small, short handled sledge hammer I keep beside my bench.

 

[Varmit]

yes, concrete steps or basement floor. Some take 20 whacks. If they've been seated months ago it is harder to break them free.

 

[A&Shuntr]

Seat the bullets slightly deeper to break the grip and then whack them.

 

[RePete]

The instructions that came with my RCBS iinertia puller stated not to use on concrete because it can shatter. I use an 8 x 8 block and have never had one refuse to come apart.

 

[Tikkachu]

Hornady cam-lock

 

[Chinbullco]

Side cutters across top of press firmly sunk into bullet with cartridge in shell holder, unless loosing 20 bullets is a problem. I use a bullet puller hammer once in a while. Found the "end grain" of a 6X6 spruce post makes the best "dead stop" surface for popping bullets loose.

 

[silverfoxdj]

Hornady cam-lock

They work well but the OP does not have a press.

 

[17asleep]

you are probably limp-wristing the hammer. Hold it firm and don't let it bounce. they will come out first or second try.

 

[jethunter]

Hit it harder and keep going until it comes.

 

[tigrr]

Hit it on the end grain of a hardwood block. Fir, maple, birch, oak. The tool won't break unless you haven't tightened the ring enough.

 

[kamlooky]

I either use a 1/4" piece of plywood or a chunck of rubber matt between the hammer
face and the concrete.
Old mudflap would work.
Smashing plastic against concrete is a system that won't last.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

Hit it on the end grain of a hardwood block. Fir, maple, birch, oak. The tool won't break unless you haven't tightened the ring enough.

This! It works better then concrete floors or steel.

 

[hunter5425]

If you can push them in a little it may break them loose so they will pull out. A lee loader would do the trick.

 

[VICIOUS]

Well heck I pound mine on a small steel anvil. If it breaks I will buy another one. Thousand rounds later so far so good as the guy said as he was falling past the 7 th floor.

 

[theplat]

Hit it harder and keep going until it comes.

thats what she said

 

[ted_dent]

The instructions that came with my RCBS iinertia puller stated not to use on concrete because it can shatter. I use an 8 x 8 block and have never had one refuse to come apart.

I don't how old (or new) your puller is but these RCBS instructions make no mention of not hitting it on concrete. They only say to use a non-metallic surface.
http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/PowerPull_BulletPuller.pdf

I've used mine on the concrete floor for at least 15 years, stripped at least 1500 rounds (including about 700 7.62x45 Czech steel cased cartridges) and the worst that has happened is that I've stripped a couple of the aluminum collets (which RCBS replaced under warranty). Now I use the correct size cartridge case shellholders (hardened steel) and they work well. The key to success is to sharply strike the impact surface at a perpendicular angle to maximize the inertia effect.

Soft surfaces (softwood, rubber, etc.) decrease the effectiveness of inertia pullers as they absorb some of the shock which is necessary to get the bullet to break free of the case.