Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Hello Guys,

I have a new issue. I bought one of those plastic hammers that comes with the aluminum shell holders that are supposed to be struck onto the ground. I can't get the thing to work. I was able to get one bullet apart when I first got it but I can't get them out now.

Could it be something I'm doing?

Also is the bullet going to be fine after coming out of there?

Would you put the powder back in the tub?

Thanks

Tom

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Yes the bullet should be fine and I would keep the powder if possible. Does it seem to be holding the casing good enough, I mean, you have the correct collet installed? I don't know why it wouldn't work for you.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Make sure you have the right collet, insert the cartridge, twist to tighten, then whack the L out of it.:D

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Usually takes me max of 5 smacks on good hard (wood) surface to get it out. I usually stick a piece of papertowl in the tool to keep the bullet nose from getting damaged. Powder is ok, but remember, you did measure it out with a powder thrower adn kernals can get crushed. Might not be optimal premium loads.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I wish I had one of you guys around here. I think I'm doing it right but still not working.

Tom

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Could be you’re just not hitting it hard enough...:eek:

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I've pulled many, many bullets. It never feels right to me. I'm always a little afraid of how hard you have to smack the thing. The last time, I got nervous and decided that the components weren't worth the anguish it caused me. I decided to throw them in a old pond and bought new components. Anyway, you got to wack the hell out of em!

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I found i needed a hard surface to hit on. the carport worked best for me.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I remember my first time doing it. I thought sure I wasn't going to live thru 50 bullets. But I did.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I've got an OLD inertia hammer type puller that uses horse-shoe shaped retainers that fit different cartrige head sizes. You literally have to beat the living hell out of it until it finally works. But work it does. Crimped bullets are exceptionally rough. Keep whackin'. Concrete floors are best.........

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I much prefer my rcbs collet puller.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I couldn’t agree with you more, but the hammer does work well in a pinch...:D

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Does the bullet have a cannelure, and is the brass cripmed? Crimped bullets can be very dfifficult to pull, and alot of times there can be minor bullet damage. Tom.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

The brass is crimped from factory but no longer. I haven't tried concrete only hardwood. I guess the drive way is going to get smacked around.

Thanks for the tip. I'll report back.

I thought the hammer would break on concrete.

Tom

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I lay a wood block on the concrete and smack it against the wood block.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Place a piece of wood in front of you. Place the hammer on your shoulder. Pretend to be a Karate warrior and try to break the piece of wood in half with the hammer. If you don't succeed, try again. That is how hard you have to hit when cracking factory ammo.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I impact one of my steel gongs. Good luck.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Imagine driving a spike...not a nail....and do it on smooth concrete. The driveway could be a little difficult with the pits and pebbles. Garage floor works well.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Kind of hard to explain but I have found that a longer stroke works better than a harder one. Sit on the garage floor in front of a 2x4. Raise the hammer high above your head. Whack the hammer on the 2x4. Seems like it works better. 3-4 strokes at most.

Momentum? Inertia? Physics was a loooooong time ago and I don't remember which one this falls under

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

i whack it on a rock or cinderblock. best luck is by using a light grip on the hammer and whack the devil out of it.[:@]

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Going through some old posts and came upon this one where Statjunk asked if the bullet would be ok to use again. Here is what I do to prevent the bullet tip from getting damaged and it works every time without fail...use a foam (roll up and insert in the ear) ear plug and insert it into thehammer and then proceed with pulling the bullet. I have pulled many bullets this way and it works especially well with soft lead tipped spire bullets.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I've got a spot on my reloading bench that has a nice little divet in it;)Wack the ****e out of it!!!

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

I've never had much luck hitting the bench. I use the basement floor. And don't just swing at the floor, swing through it. Like the Tigers teeing off on Mussina last nite.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Yep, what he said, or skip the block and use the concrete...

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

For crying out loud don't bash it on a rock,cinderblock or concrete floor.This will only bend or break the handle.Get a hardwood block and turn it on end and wack it hard a few times till it loosens.I've recycled lots of ammo this way and still have an undamaged handle 20 years later.............Harold

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Using a shellholder can damage the rim of the brass since it isn't supported all the way around. Make sure the flat part of the collet is facing the rim.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Go with a Hornady Cam Lock bullet puller and never look back. It fits in the press just like a die and you'll need the correct collet for your bullet.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

This has been a pretty funny read lol. I am glad that I came accross this thread since I am in the market for a bullet puller. I have about 30 rounds of oops that I need to redo or save the bullet from.

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Think of a bullet puller as an eraser.Why waste components?Harold

RE: Pulling Bullets Apart
 

Pulled a few myself. I have seen rims damaged. Some brass brands are not as tough as others. Just information I wanted to pass on. Use it for what it's worth.

Seems like if RCBS thought it was the better idea, they would recommend it. If you are pulling bullets, they know that you probably already have the correct size shellholder.

If you have not seen a problem and want to keep doing it your way, go for it.