Super fast way to pull boolits

[Reefinmike]

Without going into all the details, I've decided to pull and reload about a thousand powder coated 380 loads. Sold the Bersa and I feel that 3.1gr hp38 under a 108gr slug is way too hot for a lcp. I had three options to pull these:

Impact puller- snore. Takes forever, is messy with powder salvage yet bullets may be salvageable.

Collet puller- fast but likely to not work with cast bullets

Wire cutters & PVC- fast but destroys the bullet. No big deal when you cast tho...

I went with the wire cutters and PVC for the first couple hundred. It's somewhat tiresome but goes fast. As I pulled the decapping pin to resize the cases again it hit me- simply run the rounds through the sizer die with no pin! This swaged the bullets down .002-.003" and properly resized the case. The bullets pull out very easily with your fingers. Since I'm using powder coated bullets, I don't even have to recast them. I can just throw on another quick layer of powder coat and reuse them. Even though you'd have to recast lubed lead bullets, this method is still way faster.


Never seen anyone here mention this method so I thought I'd share it. Note: this method is only for casters/ coaters. It will render a fmj/plated bullet to scrap metal.

 

[rcmodel]

Yep!

That will do it!

But we still get at least one or two people a month stating, 'Just run those troublesome reloads that won't chamber through the sizing die again.'

Some folks just don't know their limitations.
Or their understanding of what it is they fail to grasp in the reloading process!

rc

 

[Otto]

I feel that 3.1gr hp38 under a 108gr slug is way too hot for a lcp

I'd have no problem with that load...but do what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[Reefinmike]

I'd have no problem with that load...but do what you feel most comfortable with.

They may be fine, they are probably fine but dang they are uncomfortable to shoot and have a heck of a lot more recoil than any factory load i have shot. Id rather spend 5-6 hours redoing(is that a word?) a thousand rounds than to deal with excessive recoil and wear on the gun for the next year. plus it gives me some busy work behind the press!

 

[Walkalong]

As I pulled the decapping pin to resize the cases again it hit me- simply run the rounds through the sizer die with no pin! This swaged the bullets down .002-.003" and properly resized the case. The bullets pull out very easily with your fingers.

Y'all remember this when we talk about neck tension and crimped. (Or the FCD)

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds like a job either way you choose. I ended up with leftover .380 rounds years ago when I got rid of mine. I finally ended up giving the rounds away about four or five years ago when no one could find .380 ammo.

 

[chris in va]

My CZ requires the use of a FCD with cast bullets. Gets a bit tiresome reading how the die isn't necessary.

I measured some of my pulled 358 sized cast bullets after using the FCD, they were still 358.

 

[GLOOB]

My CZ requires the use of a FCD with cast bullets. Gets a bit tiresome reading how the die isn't necessary.

I measured some of my pulled 358 sized cast bullets after using the FCD, they were still 358.

If the bullet isn't swaged down, at all, then I'm not sure why your FCD is actually necessary. A regular taper crimp might do the same thing? Maybe you're losing enough neck tension that your ammo is setting back to fit the XD's leade?

If you ever pull some FCD'd bullets, again, be sure to measure bullets from a variety of brass. I can't imagine an FCD NOT swaging down a 9mm bullet sized to .358, unless it's out of a thin case.

When I use the FCD, I lose most of the neck tension on my cast bullets, and the bullet is getting swaged down. I'll have to measure next time. I have been using my FCD's for loosening bullets prior to using the kinetic puller, and it makes a big difference. I will have to try the regular sizing die next time I have a large batch of mistakes.

 

[BigBore45]

I ran the load on quickload just out of curiosity. It is boarder line on pressure to SAMMI but not in the +P range if you are at all the same seating depths i was. Used a lee cast 102 gr. bullet and bumped it to 108 gr. and seated at recommended max seating depth. A Ruger LCP is +p Rated. so maybe just keep them for full house load practice? Regardless i would try 1 or 2 and check them for over pressure and gun function. I know your not at proof load pressures. 1000 bullets is alot to pull. Good luck to you on that.

 

[Reefinmike]

Big bore- thanks for the info, I did save 400 out of the 1100 at 3.1gr. I'm seating at .967". I have fired a few magazines worth and am getting slightly cratered primers with firing pin drag marks. Some cases have a good bulge in them as well. It really didn't take long at all to pull and reload 700 rounds. Only about 4 hours.

 

[BigBore45]

good to know. a bit hot then, but maybe good carry ammo.

 

[Potatohead]

Sounds like a job either way you choose. I ended up with leftover .380 rounds years ago when I got rid of mine. I finally ended up giving the rounds away about four or five years ago when no one could find .380 ammo.

Nobody probably cares but I think ive made up my mind that I hate 380 reloading..its just a pain.

I was loading and loading, stocking away 380 ammo until one day I sat back and thought "why the hell do I need a bunch of 380 ammo?" I think im primarily a SHTF loader and I doubt a closet full of 380 ammo is gonna help much.

 

[Walkalong]

Asked and answered, but we have gotten off topic, and I am as guilty as anyone in that regard on this one.