Yes, I am sloppy and inattentive. I loaded some cases which I apparently mismeasured and failed to trim so they wouldn't chamber. I was too risk averse to try using an inertial bullet puller with primed cases so I disposed of them. Is there a safe way to recover the components?
How to recover components from loaded and primed rounds
- Thread starter sdlonyer
- Start date
Or, if you prefer, RCBS makes a press mounted puller thats simple to use, doesn't damage anything and doesn't involve a lot of banging and whacking. It even gently removes JSWC bullets that aren't seated excessively deep.
How did you dispose of the loaded rounds? Hopefully you didn't throw them in the trash as this would be a serious hazard. Inertial pullers are a pain to use but are safe and good for taking apart a few rounds , be sure to put some rubber in the bottom to soften the impact on the exposed lead of the bullet
I use the Inertial puller to lengthen any rounds that are too short (and by too short, that's usually a thousandth outside of the range of lengths I allow for myself when I start), and occasionally I have to pull 50 or 100 when I decide to change the load. Just tighten it up (I wear a glove, as tightening/loosening the cap gives me blisters after a dozen or so), then re-cycle the powder (as long as you are using the same powder), bullet, and brass.
After a practice, I often wind up with the rounds that have popped out of dropped magazines. In that case, I discard the powder (can't risk mixing the wrong powder with mine).
To discard powder or primed cases, I put them in a large peanut butter jar, and fill with WD-40, just enough to cover everything. AS time goes by, I add more to it, and add more WD-40 as needed.
Also, after a practice, I volunteer to take the rounds that have popped out of dropped mags. Inertial puller, discard the powder unless you were the only o
After a practice, I often wind up with the rounds that have popped out of dropped magazines. In that case, I discard the powder (can't risk mixing the wrong powder with mine).
To discard powder or primed cases, I put them in a large peanut butter jar, and fill with WD-40, just enough to cover everything. AS time goes by, I add more to it, and add more WD-40 as needed.
Also, after a practice, I volunteer to take the rounds that have popped out of dropped mags. Inertial puller, discard the powder unless you were the only o
If you only have a few rounds to take apart, use an inertia puller.
If you have lots of rounds to take apart, get a collet-type puller that screws into your reloading press.
Incidentally, live primers can be safely removed from cases; just do it gently.
If you have lots of rounds to take apart, get a collet-type puller that screws into your reloading press.
Incidentally, live primers can be safely removed from cases; just do it gently.
I have also safely resized my brass after pulling bullets (I used Hornady's cam-lock bullet puller in case you are interested). I shortened the stem AND removed the depriming pin from my RCBS resizing die (for extra safety) and then safelty resized my primed-brass and promply reloaded (I live in the Arctic and primers are worth their worth more than their weight in gold).
Greenfields
CGN Regular
- Location
- Lower mainland BC
I'll second Hornaday's cam-lock, it is the snizzle for the whizzle (channeling my wanna be gangster slang).
The puller should work if not you are doing it wrong, I pulled a surplus 7.62X39 the other day to show someone the bullet, and I pull my crimped 9mm rounds all the time.
If you cannot pull it with an inertia puller, then you may have trouble with a cam puller. I know that the last crate of 7.62x39 I bought were MISERABLE to pull the FMJ's from. Neither my inertia puller nor my RCBS cam puller could get them out. A buddy told me to set them up in the press with the seating die set a little deeper, re-seat them to break the laquer (ashphalt, etc) seal they used and then they should pull right out with either puller. He was right, they both pulled them easily after that, without damage. Should work with any crimp as well if it is that stiff.
Powder can be sprinkled on the lawn as fertilizer. Or the ditch on the way to work. Perfectly harmless.
Primers can be pushed out with a decapping die (or your sizing die) and reused.
No need to waste WD40 and wonder what to do with jar when it's full.
Yes for the harder whack; but I've busted a couple by hitting them on surfaces that were too hard. I used an anvil and a piece of granite countertop, both wrecked pullers.
I found the best was a big chunk of maple. Hard enough but not too hard.
Oh... never clean your inertial puller with brake cleaner, it destroys the plastic (on the Frankfurt Arsenal brand anyway).
Powder can also be saved in a container over a period of time. I've dumped about 3/4 lb of all types into a coffee can. Going to do some wild ass (stupid yes) something or another out at the hunting camp with it this year.
