pulling 30-30 bullets

[JTA]

I have loaded some 30-30 bullets with the wrong powder charge. Is there a way to safely pull the bullets without a bullet puller? I am not too worried about saving the bullets but I would like to save the brass.

 

[rodagra]

Just use your press with no die in place. Raise the cartridge through the opening at the top and grasp the bullet with a pair of pliers or vice grips and lower the ram. Presto, no bullet.
If you don't have a pair of pliers that will span the opening in a way that will protect the threads use a large washer or piece of scrap steel (drilled) between the top of the press and the pliers.

 

[JTA]

Just use your press with no die in place. Raise the cartridge through the opening at the top and grasp the bullet with a pair of pliers or vice grips and lower the ram. Presto, no bullet.
If you don't have a pair of pliers that will span the opening in a way that will protect the threads use a large washer or piece of scrap steel (drilled) between the top of the press and the pliers.

Works like a charm. Thanks for the Help.

 

[Blackthorne]

Awesome tip! Thanks!

 

[rodagra]

You're welcome.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

By the way, you really should get a bullet puller.
That way ther bullets you pull won't have marks from your pliers.

 

[husqvarna]

I bought an RCBS inertia puller and it works great. Takes 8-10 good whacks to get the bullet out, but there is no damage to the bullet or case.

 

[joe-nwt]

I bought an RCBS inertia puller and it works great. Takes 8-10 good whacks to get the bullet out, but there is no damage to the bullet or case.

Sometimes the nose of some soft tipped bullets get slightly damaged with the inertia puller. This can be rectified with a small piece of soft foam inserted into the puller.

 

[millwright]

Soft foam works great. I just use an old ear plug. Works good for me.

 

[adriel]

Depending on how many I'm doing, a piece of cloth or wood inside the plier's jaws will leave no marks. It's also pretty fast, and best of all. . .free!

 

[husqvarna]

Sometimes the nose of some soft tipped bullets get slightly damaged with the inertia puller. This can be rectified with a small piece of soft foam inserted into the puller.

Very true. I learned that after schmaging the tips on the first few bullets. A piece of cloth in the head of the hammer fixed that problem.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Soft foam works great. I just use an old ear plug. Works good for me.

Must be a 'Millwright' trick. I do the same thing.