Pulling 308 bullets

[Bowfishrp]

Well I screwed up. I loaded about 80 rounds of 308 in some surpluss cases and found out they would not chamber in my rifle. I then tested them in my case gauge and they were off. Turns out the Lee die I am using does not resize the case correctly with just one pull of the handle....you have to pump it 3-5 times until you feel little resistance.

I have a hammer type bullet puller that works great for FMJ bullets but they are soft point (SP) bullets and when they come out the tip is smashed flat.

So my question: is there a better way to pull the bullets that will not ruin the tip and not mar up the bullets too much??? I expect them to be used for practice rounds so they dont have to be perfect but really dont want to smash all my bullets.
Thanks.
Robert

 

[Bowfishrp]

Oh and ALL my 308 and 223 will go through my case gauge BEFORE I load them from no on!!!!

 

[USSR]

Bowfishrp,

Try putting a little foam rubber or styrofoam, or something inside the bullet puller to soften the contact with the bullet. Also, keep an eye on the bullet easing itself out of the neck, and when you see that it is about to come out, soften your blows with the hammer.

Don

 

[ricciardelli]

1) Find a rifle that they will chamber in.
2) Go to the range.
3) Chamber and fire the 80 rounds and enjoy the experience.
4) On the way home buy a full-length RCBS die set and an RCBS neck-sizing die.

 

[nicholst55]

Buy a collet type bullet puller and a .308" collet for it. Much faster and easier than the kinetic type bullet puller, and it doesn't deform the tips. It may leave scratches on the bearing surfaces of the bullet, but... what can I say?

Next time, ensure that your sized, trimmed brass will chamber in both the gauge and your rifle before you progress to priming, charging, and seating bullets.

But hey, we all make mistakes, and I, for one, generally do bone headed things like you did before I learn my lesson!

 

[Bowfishrp]

Thanks. I hadn't screwed up this bad since I smashed my index finger in the press! .....remove finger BEFORE pulling lever. I can laugh now but that does hurt.

 

[scrat]

if i were you instead of going out and buying a collet puller. just put some cotton, felt or something soft in the kinetic puller. do that smack that hammer for the next 20 minutes and your done.

 

[Sport45]

A foam earplug in the puller would help.