Need help with pulling bullets...

[WhiteMikeCN]

I have about 1250 rounds of .223 that I need to pull down and I cant use the kinetic bullet puller because the insert that holds the bullets only lasted about 150 pulls.... Any ideas on the best and most efficient way to pull them down?

Thanks

 

[Funshooter45]

You can use a standard shell holder instead of the rinky dink holder that came with the unit.

Or you can buy a collet type die that goes on your press. I never used one before. I have heard that they might damage the bullet.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

If you're using jacketed bullets the collet die is the way to go. One pull of the lever and the bullet pops out while the powder stays in the case. All I load is lead, and using the kinetic is a pita. When I do have some jacket rounds to pull I remove the die from the press, raise the round to where the bullet is above the press and grab it with Vise-Grips.

 

[rcmodel]

If it is asphalt sealed GI ammo, it will help immensely is you run them through a seating die and seat them deeper just enough to break the waterproof seal.

Only problem with that is, you may not have enough full dia bullet left sticking out for a collet puller to get a grip on them.

rc

 

[Rollis R. Karvellis]

+1 on the regular shell holder, also if you have a kid around, $20.00 would be worth for them to go through the tollal, and trouble, instead of you.

 

[W.E.G.]

Accept no substitutes.

 

[medalguy]

I agree on using a collet type puller. I had some corrosive 30-06 I wanted to pull and reload. I think the collet puller took about an hour to pull 1,000 rounds. I did previously seat each bullet about .025 deeper to break the asphalt seal. No visible damage to the bullets.

 

[GaryL]

I did previously seat each bullet about .025 deeper to break the asphalt seal. No visible damage to the bullets.

That is a very good idea.

I recently picked up a Hornady collet puller to deal with some surplus 308. Probably one of the best bang/$ items I've bought.

 

[rsrocket1]

If you use a standard shell holder in a kinetic puller, make sure you line it up so that open side of the shell holder points toward the handle. If you don't, the shell may get partially pulled out of the shell holder. When that happens you will damage the rim.

Gee, I wonder how I know that.

 

[jpwilly]

Get the collet puller. I have the Hornandy works like a charm....1000 per hour isn't going to happen maybe a few hundred per hour. Bumping them back just a hair if sealed works great.

 

[JimKirk]

http://southernhuntingsupplies.com/forster_bonanza_fast_bullet_puller.html

This is what I would use. They are kinda hard to find.

Jimmy K

 

[RandyP]

I am NOT a rifle ammo reloader so please forgive what probably is a stupid question, but the only way I'll learn is by asking - and it took me 62 years of livin' to finally believe that fact - lol

Why not just shoot the ammo at the range and collect up the spent brass? I am presuming this is factory made ammo you are starting with? I reckon it could also be a large run of progressive press reloading error?

Like I said, NOT a slam of any kind, just my confusion.

 

[GaryL]

Why not just shoot the ammo at the range and collect up the spent brass?

Well, in my case, these were duds that failed to shoot and I figured I'd at least get the components out of them.

The OP didn't specify, but any number of things could make them dangerous to shoot.

 

[Roadkill]

Cheap trick here - use the shell holder, no die in press, run round all the way up so the bullet is above the press. Take a small piece of flat wood and drill hole in center, set on top of bullet, then use pliers hold bullet, press down lever, and bullet is pulled with no damage to press. If you break them loose first as mentioned they will come right out and pull marks will be insignificant.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

Hornady Collet Puller: Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Kinetic puller: Ok
Pliers and press: Works

 

[MEHavey]

Kinetic puller: Ok

I use both the Hornady Collet and the Kinetic as occasion demands. Lately I've found a new(er) use of the Kinetic hammer to "lengthen" (then re-seat) the occasional short-OAL rounds when doing precision seating with a comparator.

 

[rcmodel]

Here is another option for those pointy little .224 bullets a collet won't grip.

http://southernhuntingsupplies.com/forster_bonanza_fast_bullet_puller.html

rc

 

[cheygriz]

Another vote for the Forster-Bonanza.

 

[jcwit]

I've got one of the Foster-Bonanze bullet removers and it works fantasic. Maybe leaves a bright mark where it grips but does not deform or harm the bullet in any way.

 

[JimKirk]

RC ...must have been sleeping in today ...

I got the same "post" in .... six post ahead!

The Forster/ Bonanza Fast bullet pullers have always worked great for me, I have read about some of the spring steel "bullet grabbers" breaking off ... but I never had to use mine more than may a 100 or so times. Like JC said they will leave a slight mark on the bullet, but nothing to worry about. They are not listed on Forster's web site ... so they may be hard to find. They were made without the threads just to fit the CoAx press, then they added the threads for 7/8"-14 press users.

Jimmy K

 

[Magoo]

Does the Forster Bonanza unit work on "all" calibers, or do they have different units for different calibers. The design looks like a one size fits all job. If they work, and it sure sounds like they do, it seems like this would be the best solution rather than buying a bunch of caliber specific collets for a collet puller.

Also, where can these be purchased? The "click here to buy this product now" link in the provided links to the FB unit just goes to a blank page.

 

[sansone]

see post #6.. no discussion needed

 

[rcmodel]

RC ...must have been sleeping in today ...
I got the same "post" in .... six post ahead!

Ah shucks!

My apologies.
I didn't see that!

rc

 

[RandyP]

I guess my question arose after seeing that the OP had 1250 of the things to take apart. That would be one heck of a lot of duds - lol

 

[BigBob3006]

Mike,

If you may someday load pistol cartridges, then the RCBS is the way to go.
If you'll never load pistol cartridges, then I think the Forester is the way to go. The difference between them is that the RCBS can get closer to the shell holder than the Forester can. I'd like to make a suggestion that may help you keep your sanity. Run each case up into a seating die so the bullet is moved very slightly. This will break the bullet sealant and makes pulling bullets much easier. If you're a gentleman you won't ask how I know that.