[codybrown]

So I got some reloads in a trade deal and I don't want to shoot them. In the past, I have taken the round, put it in my press, grabbed the bullet with a pair of sidecutters, and pushed the ram down. I would like to save these bullets, but I don't know how. Using the sidecutters ruins the bullets, and I can't think of a better way to grab them.

[ar10]

Kinetic hammer. About 20.00, you can get them online or just about any sporting goods or gun store.

[mkl]

The best way to pull bullets that you want to reuse is with a commercial bullet puller.

If you have a fairly low volume to pull the inertial (hammer type) pullers work fine, they are just slow.

For higher volumes, the Hornady cam lock collet type puller is the best. It screws into your press just like a die. You the put the cartridge in the shell holder and run it up into the puller. Toggle the handle on top of the puller and a collet tightens down on the bullet. Lower the ram, and the bullet stays in the collet. Toggle the handle on the puller up, and the bullet falls out into your hand.

Neither of the above will damage the bullet.

[NCsmitty]

+1 on the Hornady Cam lock. It will even pull milsurp bullets without damage and they have sealed heavy crimps.
They are a good investment, especially for volume use.

NCsmitty

[Landric]

If you have a lot, I highly recommend something like the cam lock. I just pulled about 700 bullets using a kinetic bullet puller from RCBS. While it worked just fine, and the bullets are fine to use, it took forever.

[cougar1717]

Since you didn't mention the caliber, I just wanted to note that light bullets are harder to remove with a hammer style bullet puller. So, if you're trying to pull a lot of .223 Rem or similar cartridges, the cam-lock is going to be a lot faster.

[REM1875]

I have found using the appropriate shell holder from a press or Lee priming tool instead of the "universal" jaws has worked much better with most inertia type pullers- a little slower but way less aggravating than having the casing slip out of the jaws and it can handle a lot more force especially with rimless cartridges.

[rcmodel]

Possibly a dangerous practice.

The collet-chuck used in hammer pullers will allow the case rim to slip out and release pressure from inside the hammer in the very unlikely event a round went off.

A steel shell-holder, blocked by the case-head, turns the hammer into a little plastic pipe-bomb.

In theory at least.

rc

[codybrown]

Well it's for a 22-250. I have looked at the Hornady puller and the collet that go with it and it's like $30. Seems like a pretty good investment since the majority of my reloading is .224 caliber. There's about 150 bullets to pull.

[rcmodel]

+1

It definately will be for any .224 caliber bullets.

Takes a heck of a lot of whacking to pull them with a hammer puller.

rc

[Afy]

I have a RCBS collet puller...

Absolutely useless. Couldnt pull a single bullet. :(:(
Have a lot more luck with the kinetic puller. Two whacks...

[zippy45]

I have several RCBS bullet puller collets for various calibers and the success of it depends on how hard the crimp is on the bullet. Some brands of ammo are crimped hard and difficult to pull without marking the bullets.

[Afy]

Zippy... I do not crimp...
Comp seaters and long COAL

[ar10]

I'm still trying to figure out which method is more effective, the "hammer puller" or the press mounted one. I couldn't wait for the press mounted puller so I got a kinetic, (hammer) puller from the local gun store. I've used it pulling hundreds of bullets: .45 GAP/ACP, 9mm, 40SW, 7.62x39, 30-06 and ..308, the handgun stuff were pulled to salvage my bullets, powder and cases that I screwed up when I first started them. The rifle bullets were pick-up's from the range that I wanted for the brass, (you wouldn't believe the number of live .223 rounds left on the ground from LE training sessions).
I've never had one single accident using the puller and 99% of bullets were usable, I lost only a single .40SW bullet of the ones I pulled and reused.

[Bowfishrp]

I have had GREAT results out of the Hornady cam lock. I have pulled 223 and 308 and normally there is not a mark on them. If you clamp down really hard on the bullet you will certainly mark them but you will get the hang of it and not mess any of them up.

I used the kinetic hammer and it works for heavier bullets but it sucks for 22 cal bullets because they are so light weight! It is also loud and time consuming because it takes multiple hits.

[shaggy430]

If you don't have a lot to pull, the hammer works well. A nice solid block of scrap wood works best as a base. Be sure to wear earplugs. After about 20 rounds it will ring your ears. I tried using a phone book one time as a base to cut down on the noise and it took many more "whacks" to get the bullet out.