question about making ammo inert

[metaldonnieg]

I got this random idea today to try and make some form of shadow box fixed real nice with a cartridge of each caliber that I own and was wondering if I could just pull the projectile from the casing, dump the powder, and "fire" the empty casing/primer in my guns and then reseat theprojectile for this? I suppose I could use a live round for it but personally I'd rather them be unfireable if that's even a word.

Important notes/questions:

I do not have any reloading equipment to reseat the bullet, does that matter? Any suggestions on how to reseat that sucker as I'm sure it's tight?

How can I pull the projectile without marring it?

Any ideas for my .50 cal muzzle loader?

How about shotgun shells?

[biscuit jake]

You can buy a bullet puller... check reloading supplies. That is the only piece I know. Good luck.

[stalkingbear]

You can buy a bullet puller pretty cheap. This is kinetic type where you insert cartridge and smack plastic tip against hard surface. "Firing" the primers in gun are simplest way to make them inert.
As to reseating bullet,lube inside of case mouth and lower sides of bullet and close vise slowly on case/bullet combo lengthwise while holding bullet in alignment with case.

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: stalkingbear

You can buy a bullet puller pretty cheap. This is kinetic type where you insert cartridge and smack plastic tip against hard surface. "Firing" the primers in gun are simplest way to make them inert.
As to reseating bullet,lube inside of case mouth and lower sides of bullet and close vise slowly on case/bullet combo lengthwise while holding bullet in alignment with case.

Use a thin piece of wood between the bullet point and the vise jaw face to keep from deforming the point. If it is a softpoint bullet, drill a hole in the wood so that the wood rests on the copper jacket material surrounding the lead so that the lead is not deformed as you apply pressure to the bullet when reseating it.

Shotgun shells are going to present a greater challenge because the shell mouths will have to be opened and the shot and wads removed before you can get the powder out. Then you have to re-crimp the mouths of the shells after you put the wads & shot back in. It might be easier jusat to take fired shells, fill them with cornmeal or some such filler, then refold the crimp to close the shell mouths....

[BigJohn H]

If you know someone who reloads take some fired rounds to them and have them just insert a bullet in each empty case, the same with shot gun.