Pulling cast bullets

[newreloader]

Cant seem to pull hard cast .44 magnum bullets with RCBS collet puller.
anything other then cast I can pull. Anyone else experience this?

 

[barnfrog]

Cant seem to pull hard cast .44 magnum bullets with RCBS collet puller.
anything other then cast I can pull. Anyone else experience this?

Yes. I pulled a bunch of cast bullets with a collet puller and it deformed them badly. Some I just couldn't pull with that method and had to use an inertial puller. Collet wouldn't grip them firmly enough to overcome the crimp.

 

[243winxb]

May take 100 lbs to pull. Happens.

I run round up in to press. Use channel locks to grab bullets. Remelt /cast bullets.

Hope you only have a few.

 

[wcwhitey]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tactical...-Tool-Includes-3-Expandable-Collets/219278387

Always good to have one. You can avoid bullets being deformed on the nose by putting a cotton ball in the end. But for the most part I usually just save them and give them to a casting friend.

 

[Rule3]

Cant seem to pull hard cast .44 magnum bullets with RCBS collet puller.
anything other then cast I can pull. Anyone else experience this?

It is not designed for lead bullets

Wack A Mole Hammer is the best way

 

[Bcwitt]

Definately use impact puller.

 

[troy fairweather]

Wire cutter can work to.

 

[mdi]

Yep. Collet pullers often won't hold cast bullets tight enough pull them, BTDT. I have used the side cutter, dikes, pliers method on the press but most often I use an impact puller. I don't use the alum. collet instead I use a shell holder and I pound on a lead anvil (ingot, puck). The lead deadens the blow and is quieter and less jarring to the hands, but does not retard inertia...

But kinda a moot point 'cause I don't make mistakes

 

[doubleh]

I'm another impact puller user. A little piece of foam earplug keep the noses in good condition.

 

[whughett]

Not only do hammer pullers work well but it’s a heck of a way to work off steam over having to pull them in the first place!!

 

[AzShooter1]

I once had to pull 600 lead bullets that I accidentally loaded with the wrong powder charge. I used my collet puller and had no troubles getting them all out and ready to reload again.

 

[LeftyRed]

It depends on what was loaded. I pulled about 300 45LC loads after I got lazy and didn’t check the powder throw one had a +P+ charging for the last hour! The RCBS did a great job. Other time I had some heavy crimped 41 mags and had to go to the Impact Thingy.

 

[lightman]

Most of the collet pullers don't work well with cast bullets. Or with short bullets as a rule. I use Lineman's pliers and run the bullet through the top of the press. With short bullets I use a 1-1/4in PVC coupling placed over the ram to make a false top. The pliers damage the bullet but as a caster I just remelt them.

I learned the hard way not to stick the nose of the pliers down through the threaded bushing in the top of the press. The pliers are made of harder steel than the bushing and damage the threads. Fortunately I had a tap and was able to repair the threads!

 

[Bearded Phil]

I've used my Hornady collet puller with cast without much ado but since you're having trouble I would suggest an inertia (hammer) puller instead for those that you can't get with the on press collet puller.