Pulling milsurp bullets

[DeadeyeLefty]

I've got a bunch of 7.62X39 milsurp steel core ammo (because who doesn't ?) and I'd like to pull some of the bullets to try them in other rifles on targets of different steels.
I have the ubiquitous hammer-style puller but there's no way it'll budge these.
I also tried clamping the bullet in a soft jawed jig in a vice and twisting the case off the bullet.

Any suggestions ?



Maybe heat the neck red hot with a torch ?

 

[Snider shooter]

Bullet seating die. Bump them back a bit. They are sealed with something resembling varnish. Break the seal and they will come out much easier.

 

[DeadeyeLefty]

So the sealant is hard and will 'pop' then. Good to know, thx.

 

[sillymike]

I'm sure you know, but reloadin 308 with a 7.62x39 surplus bullet is an accident waiting to happen...

 

[Tompullings]

I do this quite often by running it up though my press and then when it comes out the top I grab on with some pliers that I ground a smooth bullet grabbing surface into. Run it back down and it pulls the bullet effortlessly and doesn’t leave a mark.

 

[calibrecarstairs]

RCBS collet bullet puller works for me.

 

[Rust]

I like the RCBS collet puller too.
Bumping the bullet is a really good idea.

Pulling mixed 7.62, I noticed certain types were way harder to pull than others but I also didnt try the bumping trick.

 

[DeadeyeLefty]

I'm sure you know, but reloadin 308 with a 7.62x39 surplus bullet is an accident waiting to happen...

Reloading for X39 bolt guns, thx for mentioning it though.

Tom, I've got a jig that I made up for these out of polyethylene but the prob is that I'm trying to grab right on the ogive so I can't get a decent grip with anything.

That makes me think the collet puller is the way to go if bumping it doesn't work, so thanks for the tips on that.

 

[bjmurata]

RCBS collet bullet puller works for me.

Me too, I used the old inertia hammer for many years, with and without reseating the bullet deeper, until I got the RCBS collet style puller and never looked back, so easy to use.

 

[Ganderite]

A side cutter will grab the bullet above the die hole in the press. leaves a small amrk.

They shoot ok in a 308, but not very accurate.

 

[MuthaFunk]

The hornady bullet puller collets seems the best for this. Pre set your tension and use your press to pull them out with the flick of the handle to grip perfectly every time.

quick and effective with minimal bullet deformation

 

[kjohn]

RCBS collet puller. I have pulled a fair few from 7.62x54r and x39. I have pulled bullets from dud 8x57 Yugo ammo, haven’t had to bump any - yet. ��

 

[B]

I'm sure you know, but reloadin 308 with a 7.62x39 surplus bullet is an accident waiting to happen...

Nothing bad will happen with proper load development. .002-.003" isn't much. Keep in mind Ruger did or does use a .308" barrel on their Mini-30. The biggest problem with using surplus bullets is inconsistent bullets leading to poor accuracy.

 

[mbogo3]

The sealant I've come across resembles a black tar.

 

[Quiet]

A side cutter will grab the bullet above the die hole in the press. leaves a small amrk.

They shoot ok in a 308, but not very accurate.

The same can be said when they are shot out of a 7.62x39 barrel.