Just got my bullet puller

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Samari Jack

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Now why could I not have thought of that tool? What a useful inexpensive tool that even I can figure out. This tool will pay for itself in short order. Had some loads that the primer got left out. Also had a run of half-dozen or so when I first started reloading with the primer in backwards. Others with the bullet set to deep. Thru these in the pond as I couldn't tap 'em out without a fight..

I decided to put the brass with the backwards primer in a baggy for later and flushed the powder. Thru the rest foul-ups in the goof baggy, chunk 'em in our burn barrel out back,and will see what happens after I run like hell when it stops raining. Living in the sticks, with enough land, I can get away with such.
 
If those are the kinds of mistakes you're making while reloading, you might want to take a step away from the bench and come to grips with exactly what it is you are doing.


If you are not noticing a BACKWARDS primer until you've already loaded the rounds, what ELSE are you not noticing?


It's your gun, and in your hand, so do so as you wish, but these kinds of mistakes are simply not acceptable. I understand that mistakes can and do happen, and that's how you learn, but if you're not double-checking every single step in the process, and you're overlooking details such as that, you are going to cause yourself or someone else some serious injury.


Throwing ammo in a fire is fun. Pistol ammo just pops. Rifle ammo is a lot of fun, but make sure you stand back just a *bit* further...




James2 said:
Now that you have it, lets hope you never need it.
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Why not? I use my puller quite a bit. I've often loaded up a batch of ammo, only to find the accuracy is terrible. I don't need to shoot all 50 or so to determine the accuracy sucks after the first 10, so I'll take them home, pull them, and try something else. I also use it to take apart factory ammo, or to pull any damaged rounds from a mis-feed. Point is, it gets used all the time, and not just for fixing mistakes...
 
Throwing ammo in a fire is fun. Pistol ammo just pops. Rifle ammo is a lot of fun, but make sure you stand back just a *bit* further...
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Fun......... well in that case run a handfull of double charges without glasses or gloves if that is what fun is.:scrutiny: I swear, some peoples kids.
 
BP44 said:
Fun......... well in that case run a handfull of double charges without glasses or gloves if that is what fun is.:scrutiny: I swear, some peoples kids.
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Sometimes you just have to try something to see what *really* happens. No, they don't shoot off at some high velocity and kill the neighbor's kitten a half-mile away. They pop. Sometimes you can even reclaim the bullet.

Sometimes the ideas spawned around a fire pit at the deer camp just have to be entertained... :D
 
I agree as long as folks are being safe about it and as for the kitten who needs cats, dogs are mans best friend:D
 
Why not?
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Pull bullets if you will. I have loaded since 1957 and never had a bullet puller. I did a dumb thing once, early on, and loaded 100 rounds of 308 on a guys recipe. Had to pull 99 of those. I used a pair of pliers with a rag wrapped around the bullet so it didn't mess it up. Used the press to pull them. From that I decided pulling bullets was an undesirable task. Have pulled very few since. That taught me to work up loads.

Some of the problems the op mentioned have surely happened to me, but I have learned ways to avoid those problems by strict quality control.

I am fortunate to live where I can go shoot any time and close to home, so I never end up with 50 or more inaccurate loads. I won't load that many until I have tried out a new load to see how it works. Its called working up a load. Oh, sorry, I already said that. ;)
 
I'm 35 & just started re-loading. I have found it to be very relaxing as well as rewarding. I enjoy every step of the process. Though I know it takes longer, I use a single stage press. Even though I use a UniFlow, I still weigh every load. I run my finger over & look at every primer I seat & I mike every cartridge for OAL (Thanks RC BTW). I think of it as a hobby but am very meticulous as well.

I think if I ever went out to shoot my hand loads & I found I put primers in backwards, I'd sell all my loading equipment out of fear of hurting myself or somebody else shooting my hand loads. I'm not trying to be insulting but I read numerous loading books & read lots of advice from members here regarding this hobby before even getting close to my press. The one thing they all had in common was take your time, make sure there's no outside distractions & inspect inspect inspect. After every step with every cartridge, I inspect. Anal? Yes, but when I close the lid on that box of 50, I'm 110% confident that those 50 are perfect ;)
 
Way back when I started to load on my own I was in a hurry and loaded some with backwards primers. My solution is to put the empty brass primer up in a loading block and to remove one, flip it over and add propellant then put it into a different loading block to my left. When the second loading block is full I check the propellant levels to make sure they are all the same by looking and comparing. This has saved me countless problems over the years. All primers A-OK and if the level looks wrong with a charge I just weigh it to confirm what it is. BTW once I found some media packed into a case that made the charge level look off and probably saved a disaster for me. Yes I use a bullet puller when I need one. Mostly to take apart stuff I buy to salvage components but the mistakes do happen and are better handled if you are able to avoid them in the first place.;) There is no substitute for safe reloading practices IMHO.

I have never found a bullet that I could not pull. If it is a glued in military one I will put it in the press and push it down 1/8 inch or so to break it free then it will come out with ease. I use a piece of oak 6X6 a foot long and hit the puller on the end grain. This works best for me .
 
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As I said, I learned about the primer backward thing. I had the large diameter tube in the primer feed assembly instead of the small diameter (correct one for small pistol primers) as the large is what was installed with my new 550B when I got it. The OS diameter is the same with both feed tubes. It is the inside diameter that is different and there are no external marks differentiating the two. It takes a keen eye looking down the tube to see the difference. I caught it but not before 6-8 primers flipped inside the tube. I usually put 50 or so primers in the primer assembly at a time using the different primer pickup tube, then loading them into the primer tube assembly. The primers are not put under the brass one at a time using fingers. If you need further explanation go to Dillon's web site or I'll post a picture.

If you read close, instead of scan, the only thing that goes in the burn barrel is the brass with the primer. Three or so rounds with powder got sent to Davy Jones' locker.

Part of the reason, besides the "kids" noise was to see if after the primer pops I could salvage perfectly good brass after using a few sheets of copy paper for the fire. I have some doubts depending on what the heat does to the metal. I'm not so poor that I can't throw away 3-4 brass. Just more a learning thing.

Before you make a derogatory comment., at least read the post.
 
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Just pop the primers out & reuse the brass & primers. If you throw them in the fire scrap both.
 
Throwing ammo in a fire is fun.
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I think if I ever went out to shoot my hand loads & I found I put primers in backwards, I'd sell all my loading equipment out of fear of hurting myself or somebody else shooting my hand loads.
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and as for the kitten who needs cats, dogs are mans best friend
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This looks to be one of those threads I'd best leave alone.

I am fortunate to live where I can go shoot any time and close to home, so I never end up with 50 or more inaccurate loads. I won't load that many until I have tried out a new load to see how it works.
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This is one reason I find owning a Lee Loader in a caliber I wish to work up a load very handy. I do it right at the range, with no fuss and no muss.

Wish I could get them in all 40 calibers I reload but then most are seldom fired anyway.
 
I would have to agree in that, it might be a good time to reconsider how you are approaching reloading. This can be a very enjoyable and rewarding hobby when respected. On the other hand, it can be disasterous and a dangerous hobby when someone gets complacient and careless.
I have known my share of reloaders over the years who got their selves hurt, even after having been warned of their methods not being safe and prudent.
Please, for yourself, those who shoot your loads, and the innocent standing near by, pay attention so it gets done right the first time.
 
Every one should have one.

For those that never had one. I would guess you have never used some of the press priming system. The early ones, if not setup right could flip on you. Even some of newer ones this apply too.
 
Another good use of the bullet puller is to use it on a spent casing with no primer to adjust your bullet seating die. That can be your dummy round so when you need to make an adjustment just pull the bullet out of the dummy round and reseated again with the new adjustment. That way you dont make any mistakes on loaded rounds when you are seating the bullet.
 
Bullet Pullers, backwards primers

The bullet puller is a handy tool. I don't like the collet that holds the case, especially when they come apart and you have to get the rubber ring back on. I have a 70's vintage one so maybe they are better now. When adjusting a new seating die and I am not happy with too deeply seated bullet I can recycle all the components. Also, with regard to backwards primers, sometimes a primer will "flip" in the Lee priming tool due to the motion of seating the primers and you might not notice it because is has already entered the "next in line" position. I have trained myself to peek into the pocket to see that the next in line is right side up but every once in a while it happens. I just gently use the depriming die and out it comes. I have never had one pop, but I have read about it happening. Just be gentle....or if you are concerned, just toss the case.
 
If you are not noticing a BACKWARDS primer until you've already loaded the rounds, what ELSE are you not noticing?
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Take a deep breath, and step off your high horse.

I did not see where he stated what type of press he is using. If it is a single stage, there may be a problem. If it is a progressive, primers have been known to "flip"--I have seen it myself.

The fact that it is not unheard-of for factory loads to show up with upside-down primers is another indication that progressive presses do this once in a while.
 
orionengnr said:
Take a deep breath, and step off your high horse.

I did not see where he stated what type of press he is using. If it is a single stage, there may be a problem. If it is a progressive, primers have been known to "flip"--I have seen it myself.

The fact that it is not unheard-of for factory loads to show up with upside-down primers is another indication that progressive presses do this once in a while.
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In the thousands upon thousands of factory/milsurp ammo I have bought and fired, I've seen a flipped primer exactly one time. Yes, it can happen, and I'm sure it does happen more often, simply to get caught during Q/A. But this is one out of literally ten-thousand or more. And the OP has had half-a-dozen? That's unacceptable any way you look at it. It only takes ONE mis-charged case to destroy a gun and the hand that's holding it.

But when you're a single individual, loading the rounds a single individual would load, there is simply no excuse. Check every round. Every time. I've had my primer feed flip a primer or two before, but if you're watching what you're doing, it's not that difficult to catch... and that's before it's pressed into place.
 
And neveforget, anyone walking thru the pasture long enough eventually steps in it.

Mistakes, screwups, mishaps happen to all of us, those that think not need another hobby.

This is why they make bullet pullers.
 
It seems like all these threads about pulling bullets wind up including the suggestion to toss the rubberband collets that came with your kinetic bullet pullers and just use shellholders.

The reasons for not trusting a shellholder in this role have been covered here and in other venues many times, yet the notion persists that it's a good, even brilliant, idea.

Please don't.
 
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