WidenersLoad DataSnyders JerkyReloading Everything
MidSouth Shooters SupplyRepackboxRotoMetals2Inline Fabrication
Titan Reloading Lee Precision
Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Collet bullet pullers

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Kaneohe, HI
    Posts
    5,583

    Collet bullet pullers

    Which one works the best????
    I have the Fosters and RCBS.
    Fosters works sometimes. RCBS sometimes.
    I have a lots of .223 to pull.
    The Fosters is not working.
    Don't have the collet for the RCBS.
    Thought I'd ask here if it's any better than the Fosters before ordering one.

    I do use the hammer type most of the time.
    With the light 223 bullet, it takes to many hits to pop out.

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Posts
    60
    I have a Hornady bullet puller and no matter how I put the bullet messes up the bullet. had the rcbs and had the same problem. the only one that work ok was the hammer type but I don't like using them.

  3. #3
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    NW Oklahoma
    Posts
    311
    Are you trying to save the projectiles?

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Kaneohe, HI
    Posts
    5,583
    Hope to save them.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master bosterr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Western Pa.
    Posts
    791
    I have the RCBS collet bullet puller and I found that for rounds that have been loaded for a while need to have the bond of the bullet with the case neck broken before I attempt to pull them. If you have a seating die for the caliber set it to just barely push the bullet into the neck just enough to break the bond with the case neck then it usually pulls right out.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master AntiqueSledMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    517
    Just my opinion here,

    If your trying to save cast bullets after being pulled, you need a kinetic puller.
    I have an old Herter's collet style, (same collets as RCBS) all my pulls go into the re-melt bucket.

    AntiqueSledMan.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    488
    Quote Originally Posted by AntiqueSledMan View Post
    Just my opinion here,

    If your trying to save cast bullets after being pulled, you need a kinetic puller.
    I have an old Herter's collet style, (same collets as RCBS) all my pulls go into the re-melt bucket.

    AntiqueSledMan.
    I agree with the above.
    I have a collet puller and it always leaves marks on the bullet.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    S.E. Michigan
    Posts
    414
    I have the RCBS and I have pulled a gajillion bullets. It can be really difficult with some calibers depending on neck tension, how long they were loaded and the type of bullet.

    However, I would say you are in good luck. I have always been able to use the 22 call puller collet pretty easy. Even on the military crimped bullet 22 cals. The bullets rarely get scarred. This is unlike the 30 cals that I reload myself. For some reason I really have to crank down on the bullet to get the dang collet to keep ahold of the bullet. Maybe I should switch to neck bushing dies in my 30-06. Anyway, sorry for the tangent. You should have good luck with the 22 cal.

    Another tip, use a single stage press. I have far less luck with mine on a turret press..

    I should also mention these suggestions are for J-Words. Any cast bullet I pull is always remelted. Cuz I'm anal.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    England,Ar
    Posts
    7,696
    I've not seen much difference between the collet type pullers. I have the RCBS and it works ok on rifle bullets and on the longer jacketed pistol bullets. Not so well on shorter bullets or on cast bullets with a heavy crimp. If the bullets that you are trying to pull seem to be difficult you might try seating them a little bit deeper. This movement can help break any bond that may have formed.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master Dapaki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Minne-Snow-Ta!
    Posts
    600
    I'm in the middle of pulling 1000 rounds of .223 gallery ammo with my oldest son right now, they were loaded up for a gun we no longer have 20 years back so the kids could shoot without all the recoil. We are just using an old QUINETICS boolit puller to do the deed. I think we got close to 1/2 of them just last night and it took three hits each with a heavy crimp around the FMJ groove.

    I sure would like to get a Forster puller and re-engineer the disk. I think its a great idea but poor design for the disk fingers.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    South Western NC
    Posts
    3,820
    Quote Originally Posted by abunaitoo View Post
    Which one works the best????
    Every collet puller I've seen works every time if it can get a grip on the bullet, I can't imagine why your's dont.

    I do use the hammer type most of the time.
    With the light 223 bullet, it takes to many hits to pop out.
    Use your seater die to push your bullets a few thousanths deeper to break the neck seal, THEN use the hammer.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master maxreloader's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Southern March 15th, 1820
    Posts
    660
    I have tried all of them and currently use RCBS MODIFIED puller. The collects are the same but I had a buddy drill and insert drill rod into the body of the puller for a double handle which I then use closet-rod doug fir handles on. As a side-note there are 3-section collets and 4-section collets for RCBS. I have most of the calibers in both 3 and 4 section but have not seen a difference in performance between the two yet. I have only run into very few rifle bullets that are hard to pull. Most are pretty simple. I use the puller in a dedicated CH "H" style press that is perfect for the job. All you do is set it and SLAM the press handle up. If you set the collet on the bullet correctly you will almost always have a successful pull. Keep a few drill bits handy in case they are reloads and the powder is caked... makes quick work. The dumped powder makes for great fertilizer or if you know of anybody with a cannon...
    Looking for Ideal mold 419181 (44 Evans Long)
    "Joined Dates" are deceiving if you factor-in "lurk" dates.

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master
    bangerjim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    out of here, wandering somewhere in the SW.
    Posts
    10,163
    I have every brand/style of collet puller out there and they all work.........MOST of the time. Depends on the grip they can get. They can and do damage the boolit, so reuse is marginal most times.

    Kinetic extractors work very well with my personal loads that I need to extract for some reason. No damage to slugs and most can be reused.

    banger

  14. #14
    Boolit Master



    Kevin Rohrer's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Medina, Ohio USA
    Posts
    1,401
    The SEARCH feature yields lots of threads on the subject, including three others on the first screen of topics.

    There is no such thing as "best". All are simple devices w/ few moving parts. Hopefully, no one here needs to repeatedly view any Youtube videos to figure out their operation.

    I have an old RCBS that works well, and is best for jacketed bullets. Lead bullets are removed easier w/ a inertia puller.
    Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA-Life, ARTCA, American Legion, & the South Cuyahoga Gun Club.

    Caveat Emptor: Do not trust Cavery Grips/American Gripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He will rip you off.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
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