Cartridge Dis-Assembly

[NavArch]

When first setting up a new Lee Factory Length Crimp die, I had mistakenly not tested things by running an empty case and bullet completely thru all of the mechanical "forming" steps prior to adding primer and powder and making real rounds. Really dumb. I managed to drive the bullet flush with the case mouth. Yes, Virginia, the round is now defined as unsafe to fire.

This sucker is well past the point of being able to use a kinetic puller on the bullet. And having reduced the acceptable/safe OAL by a quarter inch or so means I won't be disassmbling it by firing it. If I took things really slow, would I be out of my mind if I were to hacksaw the case in two to dump the powder?

 

[Mal H]

Did you try the kinetic puller? If you give it several really hard whacks on the end grain of a 4X4 or the like, I'll bet the bullet will come out. The trick is to hit the surface you are using as if the puller is going beneath the surface, IOW, don't let up before it hits. (It's sort of like an Aikido move with the puller - strike through the surface, not on it.)

If the puller genuinely won't work in your situation, I see no reason to keep the round or try to salvage one piece of brass and one bullet (it's not a .700 Nitro Express, I assume). Toss it in your range's dud bucket, or bury it in the ground. Usually, I would even consider tossing it in the trash, but in this case, you may have made a more dangerous cartridge than normal so that's probably not a good idea.

 

[RecoilRob]

A tubing cutter would easily and safely cut the case to dump the powder...at least on any rifle rounds. If it is a pistol round we are discussing here, I'd just toss it as already suggested.

 

[NavArch]

I wasn't trying to salvage anything - just trying to defuze a dangerous object. The range dud bucket is probably the best idea.

 

[brickeyee]

"This sucker is well past the point of being able to use a kinetic puller on the bullet. "

No, it will just take more hammering to get it apart.

 

[MikeK]

I did the same thing, without the powder and primer, a few weeks ago. A kinetic puller will work. WHACK IT!!! And use a a 4x4 or concrete floor to whack it on. I thought the same as you until I read the advice from the great folks here.

 

[Zippy06]

Do the puller. It works.