How do I use this bullet puller?

[bainter1212]

Hey guys,

My grandpa gave me all his old reloading gear awhile back (old, like 1962 old). I am just now finishing going through it and I found this Herters bullet puller in it's original box. I haven't seen one like this before but it looks like a press mounted puller for .30 cal (?). My grandfather really only ever loaded for his '06 so I would guess .30 cal. It is clean and has a handle. Looks like some sort of collet inside.

So how do I use this thing? I am used to the impact bullet pullers and was wondering if this is a better or worse alternative to those. I load using an RCBS Rockchucker BTW......

Thanks again.

 

[newfalguy101]

The cartridge is inserted into the die ( which is mounted into your press ), the collet is tightened down by the knob on the top of the die and use the pulling power of the press to pull the bullet.

The collet is the part inside that is split.

 

[rcmodel]

And you have to have the correct size collet for the bullet caliber you are pulling.

rc

 

[newfalguy101]

And you have to have the correct size collet for the bullet caliber you are pulling.

rc

which should be stamped on the collet somewhere

 

[JerryND]

Original "Herters Model Perfect" puller. Never had one but I spent a lot of money in that store. Still have a lot of their products and use them all the time. Just gave away 1k "Herters Chalace Wads" Unsurpassed for use in Federal Paper 12 Ga but the cases gave out before the wads. Over 1k of primers left, think they were made in Italy, and I would buy any Herters Mauser, if I could find one. Even in MN they are a rare breed.

 

[mtrmn]

You have a much better bullet puller than the impact pullers. I don't know which brand collets would fit the old Herter's pullers if you wanted to change calibers. Maybe have to buy another puller if you need it for more calibers. RCBS and I think Hornady make similar pullers.

I miss Herter's.....Cabelas bought them out. And just look at what today's generation has done to the great Abercrombie and Fitch name. Google the history on them if you don't know *** I'm griping about.

 

[Slamfire]

I would not use that puller on match bullets or any bullets for which accuracy is a consideration. Those collet bullet pullers deform the inner core of a bullet.

They are fine for FMJ's and AP bullets as those bullets were 3-4 MOA when manufactured, but most commercial bullets will be damaged by these dies.

 

[bainter1212]

I would not use that puller on match bullets or any bullets for which accuracy is a consideration. Those collet bullet pullers deform the inner core of a bullet.

They are fine for FMJ's and AP bullets as those bullets were 3-4 MOA when manufactured, but most commercial bullets will be damaged by these dies.

I suspected that the collet may put too much pressure on the bullet but I thought it might mess up the jacket instead. I have a bunch of old loaded rounds that were in grandpa's stuff that I don't want to shoot......but they will be perfect to test out this puller on.

All of my grandpa's dies were Herters brand.....they all had $5 price tags on the boxes. I got a well used '06 die FL die set and a never used .30-.30 set. The '06 die set works well on military brass and most commercial - except for some reason won't size Federal brass right. Bullets won't seat very tight. I bought a new RCBS sizing die to see if that will correct the problem with the Federal stuff but have yet to try it out. The Federal pistol brass I use gives me headaches too.

Thanks a lot for all the responses.

 

[rcmodel]

I miss Herter's.....Cabalas bought them out.

Actually they didn't.

Herter's went bankrupt in 1981 and all the holdings and inventory were sold at auction and went their various ways.

Cabala's only started using the 'Herter's' brand name on imported ammo a few years ago after buying the rights to the name.

rc

 

[dickttx]

I have a similar one made by Wilson.
They will pull the bullet if there is an exposed full diameter of the bullet showing above the case mouth that is long enough for the collett fingers to grasp. Otherwise, as you tighten it it pushes the bullet deeper into the case.
As said above, lead doesn't hardly work at all.

 

[DM~]

As i remember, much of Herters went to Gander Mountain...

The Herters ammo that i've seen at Cabela's, is rebadged Sellier & Bellot ammo.

DM

 

[brickeyee]

You have a much better bullet puller than the impact pullers.

Right up till you try tp pull a bullet with a lot of slope.

The collet often cannot get enough grip without damaging the bullet.