Bullet puller questions

[Dewey 68]

Finally broke my RCBS hammer puller over the weekend. I have a Lyman Magnum puller ordered. They all look pretty similar, but I like that the Lyman has an actual rubber handle. Has anyone had any bad experiences with the Lyman model?

Also, I was looking at the different die style pullers, but they all say that they are for rifle cartridges. I'm assuming that a handgun bullet doesn't stick out of the brass far enough for the collet in the pullers to grab them?

 

[edwardware]

I much prefer my Collet Puller. . . but it only works if there's a bit of shank exposed to grab. That's true of most of my revolver cartridges, and none of my auto pistol cartridges.

 

[Jim Watson]

My Hornady Cam Lock puller would grip a 9mm FMJ well enough and I recall the .45 collet would get a FMJ or JHP ACP. Jacketed rifle bullets are easy but cast bullets call for the inertial. I am on my third inertial, one loaned away, one broken.

 

[rkittine]

I much prefer the collet type puller also. I do keep a Franklin Arsenal hammer type, but only for the weird calibers I really do not load much for.

Bob

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got both a collet type (Hornady) and a hammer type.

One for individual screw ups, the other for "progressive" press related screw ups.

I haven't met a bullet yet that the Hornady cam lock couldn't deal with. I just did around 130 9mm 147 grains a couple weeks ago with it after discovering (the hard way) a powder "bridging" issue with my 650 with a new funnel. They were coated bullets and the majority that I pulled were still usable.

 

[badkarmamib]

I broke my Frankford Arsenal about a year ago, and replaced it with the Lyman, which is still going strong.

 

[LeftyTSGC]

I use my F.A. hammer for pistol caliber. I do have a Forster Collet but only for Rifle, currently .30cal.

 

[Herman B]

I'm assuming that a handgun bullet doesn't stick out of the brass far enough for the collet in the pullers to grab them?

Right, it depends on the bullet and seating depth. I have the Hornady Collet Puller and find it pretty effective at grabbing ahold of most bullets I use. I also have an inertia type but that's my second choice for pulling.

 

[JJFitch]

Mines about 30 years old! I put an "in ear" sponge hearing protector thingy in the bottom of the catch tube to cushion the impact of the bullet inside the tube!

Collet pullers aren't always reliable with all bullet profiles.

Smiles,

 

[Targa]

Cant imagine one really being better than the other but my Lyman does what its suppose to, I am happy with it.

 

[MikeInOr]

For me the kinetic pullers are definitely the way to go for pulling a few bullets. I have had my RCBS for 25+ years now and it is still going strong. The only thing I have had to replace is the O-ring that holds the collet together.

I only use my collet puller when I have messed up a large batch and need to pull many rounds of the same cartridge. It is not worth the setup time for a half dozen or less cartridges.

 

[Blue68f100]

RCBS will warranty the broken puller, so contact them. I have both inertia and press mount. Press mount is the beat if you have enough to get a hold on the bullet.

 

[Dewey 68]

RCBS will warranty the broken puller, so contact them.

Wow, great to hear, I'll do that.

 

[Chuck R.]

For me the kinetic pullers are definitely the way to go for pulling a few bullets. I have had my RCBS for 25+ years now and it is still going strong. The only thing I have had to replace is the O-ring that holds the collet together.

I only use my collet puller when I have messed up a large batch and need to pull many rounds of the same cartridge. It is not worth the setup time for a half dozen or less cartridges.

I just use the appropriate shellholder in mine.

 

[MikeInOr]

I just use the appropriate shellholder in mine.

LOL! 25 years and I have never thought of that! I will have to give it a try!

 

[GW Staar]

The only problem with using a shellholder is that you need a keeper to keep the bullet fully inserted. If a primer is "proud", you could possibly set it off if the case slides out some where the primer could hit metal during the pounding. There have been a few reports over the years of such unlucky detonations with shell holders.

 

[Eugen]

I have a Lyman kinetic puller and it has performed well for me. I've had it for three years. I really do like that rubber/padded handle over the other manufacturers rock hard handles. Other than that feature they all seem to be designed similarly and work equally well.

 

[ms6852]

I too prefer the kinetic pullers, I think mine is a RCBS, if I remember correctly, haven't had to use it in quite a while. I like to put the foam ear plugs in side to protect the bullet from getting deformed.

 

[Dewey 68]

Got the Lyman puller yesterday, thanks to Amazon prime. Nice to see that the shaft is aluminum, and the rubber handle is comfortable.

 

[AJC1]

I have both styles and use them for different things. My kinetic hammer is for seating depth adjustments when I go a little to far and need to move it back out to reset. I change dies on a single stage so I end up using it often. My rcbs press collet puller is great for breaking down bulk ammo. Get a pile from a gun show you want to use components this is your ticket. Its the progressive of bullet breakdowns. When pulling lead bullets there is enough force available to swage and deform bullets so those generally go in the pot if removed.

 

[DanK3Pos]

I haven't met a bullet yet that the Hornady cam lock couldn't deal with.

"I'm your Huckleberry" said the .38Spl DEWC. Neither the inertia puller nor the Hornady cam lock worked. Too much neck tension (really, too much contact area) for one and not enough exposed bullet for the other.

 

[DanK3Pos]

The only problem with using a shellholder is that you need a keeper to keep the bullet fully inserted. If a primer is "proud", you could possibly set it off if the case slides out some where the primer could hit metal during the pounding. There have been a few reports over the years of such unlucky detonations with shell holders.

I also damaged a few rims using the shell holder. Don't think that would have happened with the aluminum collet.

 

[Insignificant bill]

If I were buying a Collett puller I would get an Rcbs. Their Collett design is better. Frankford Arsenal for inertia puller

 

[sparkyv]

After 6 years I broke my FA inertia hammer puller too. Bought another with my birthday Midway order. Maybe I should have gotten the RCBS hammer puller because of the warranty?

I broke my Frankford Arsenal about a year ago, and replaced it with the Lyman, which is still going strong.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

The only problem with using a shellholder is that you need a keeper to keep the bullet fully inserted. If a primer is "proud", you could possibly set it off if the case slides out some where the primer could hit metal during the pounding. There have been a few reports over the years of such unlucky detonations with shell holders.

There was a "probable" incident posted in March. The poster never admitted to it, but it was the only explanation.

After 6 years I broke my FA inertia hammer puller too. Bought another with my birthday Midway order. Maybe I should have gotten the RCBS hammer puller because of the warranty?

Get the RCBS. If for no other reason, the handle is far easier on the hand. The FA hurts after a few rounds.