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Thread: How to pull bullets reliably

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    How to pull bullets reliably

    Hey guys,
    what is a reliable way to pull bullets that is efficient and relatively easy?
    3band53 (Frank)

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

    sparky45's Avatar
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    I use the Hornady Collet Puller, has always worked for me.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

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    I use the hornady cam lock puller.
    NRA Benefactor Member NRA Golden Eagle

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I hace used the forester push thru puller with jacketed bullets and it was fast easy and quick. I use a kenetic puller ( hammer type) with cast and it works well it a solid surface is available. On some I just run thru the press opening and grap bullet with pliers and lower ram. Experiment and see what works best for you. Some bullets require a certain set-up. Wad cutters are one as ther is no bullet sticking out to grab onto. Some military are varnish sealed and need to be seated a little deeper to break that bond. Heavy crimps may pose issues also.

  5. #5
    Moderator Emeritus


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    What do you want to save? A collet type puller will leave some lines but the bullets are usually shootable. Hammer type may take a while, surest way is to put them in a shell holder, run them up into your press, grab the bullet with vicegrips and lower the ram. Toss the bullet back in to the melting pot and you're done.
    Last edited by MT Gianni; 03-28-2015 at 03:33 PM.
    [The Montana Gianni] Front sight and squeeze

  6. #6
    Boolit Master D Crockett's Avatar
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    I have to this date found a bullet that I could not pull with a RCBS Kenetic bullet puller I used to get 5gal buckets of bad ammo from my range and pull them when not doing thing just to kill time put the gun powder on the yard melted the lead and made bullets out of it sold or gave away the brass that I did not want D Crockett

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy

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    reminds me of the old saw "quick, cheap, easy ... pick any 2"

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy rototerrier's Avatar
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    Cam lock seems to work best for me. I had a kinetic but it busted and took longer. Cam lock makes quick work of it.

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    I've used a kinetic puller for years and it has served my needs very well. One trick that I picked here was to use one of my muffin ingots to strike it on.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Cmm_3940's Avatar
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    If the cartridge is too short to run up through an empty die hole and grab, just put a short piece of pipe over the ram and do the same thing.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master

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    If you want to save the bullet with no marking - then I would recommend the kinetic puller. Just put a cotton ball in the end of it, so you don't smash the bullet tip when you pound away. May not be the fastest method, but it will get the job done.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master

    lefty o's Avatar
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    the whack-a-mole puller works great.

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy tryNto's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by parson48 View Post
    I've used a kinetic puller for years and it has served my needs very well. One trick that I picked here was to use one of my muffin ingots to strike it on.
    Same with me.
    Casting, Reloading & Shooting

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    cabezaverde's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ole 5 hole group View Post
    If you want to save the bullet with no marking - then I would recommend the kinetic puller. Just put a cotton ball in the end of it, so you don't smash the bullet tip when you pound away. May not be the fastest method, but it will get the job done.
    A foam ear plug works great also.
    Founder of the Single Shot section.

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  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
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    Hornady Cam Lock puller works great.

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by cabezaverde View Post
    A foam ear plug works great also.
    I use this method
    however IF I am not going to save them I put them in a shell holder in my single stage press and raise the ram with bullet,boolit and grip with pliers and lower ram
    leaving offending projectile in pliers
    Hit em'hard
    hit em'often

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy

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    Kinetic bullet puller here.. I'll have to try the muffin trick!

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Cowboy_Dan's Avatar
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    If all you want is for the brass to be empty, you could always pull them with your trigger.

    If there is a problem with the loads, you may want to use a different method.

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master


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    One more suggestion for the Kinetic bullet puller is to MAKE SURE you have securely tightened down the cap each and every time.
    WE WON. WE BEAT THE MACHINE. WE HAVE CCW NOW.

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Have pulled LOTS of cast boolits with the kinetic style hammer type. Never broke one! And I whack it on the anvil portion of my 6" Wilton vise. 2-3 blows and all is resolved.

    Most boolits (even PC!) can be reused, since I do not crimp the carp out of them! To pull FMJ's I use an RCBS collet puller for 30 cal.

    banger-j

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check