Looks like I messed up some 40 SW loads using a 175gr semi wadcutter bullets, but I'm having a problem getting a proper grip using my RCBS collets in my Rock Chucker press to pull them. All I have are the standard bullet collets. Does someone make a collet that will work on the taper of a semi wad cutter bullet? I appreciate all the help in advance

Due to the taper on the nose of most semi wadcutters I don't think it would be possible to make a collet that could grip the bullet firmly enough to pull it. IMO your only option at this point is either the good old Whack A Mole kinetic puller. If you are consistent enough you might be able to get the bullet shifted far enough to use a standard collet puller to finish and if you can't achieve perfect consistency (very likely) then just go full tilt and work out your frustrations then clean up the mess that results.

Once I got the hang of it, a kinetic puller can be used pretty quickly and the bullet and the powder end up enclosed.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Thanks guys, I was hoping to not have to use the ole wacking method, but if that is the only option.........

Are they a significant overload, or just .1-.2 grains? Or some other reason? Unless the ammunition is a significant overload that could be dangerous there is a better way to pull the bullets, just shoot the ammunition!

I used a suggested load of 5.4gr of HP38 and blew my extractor out of my Glock 27, twice, so I think I'm done with it......... I'm sure it was not a double charge. Since I have noticed most of actual shape of the tapered portion of the bullet is the same for different calibers, someone would have a collet for it.

You can always use pliers or side cutters if the bullet protrudes through the top of your press. You lose the bullet, but can salvage everything else.

My recommendation when using the Kinetic puller is to whack it on a really hard surface. My bench vice happens to be close in the next room, so I use that. I originally tried it against my bench-top, (solid hardwood 1 1/2" thick), and I felt as though it absorbed some of the shock and it took several wacks to get the bullet to dislodge. On the vice anvil 1 or 2 wacks was all it takes.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have a birch log 9" in diameter and 20" tall beside my bench that doesnt scream at me when I hit it.
Jim

I never had much luck pulling a lead bullet of any shape or composition. A kinetic puller works on anything, just pace yourself to use 4-6 lighter whacks rather than a single "John Henry" swing or two. I like the idea of using a shell holder. I'll give it a try next time.

I just use a shell holder and whack the hammer on the garage floor.Dont go too hard,they can shatter

You need to get a collet for a smaller bullet. I pul H&G 68 SWC from 45 ACP with no problem, the taper crimp isn't that hard to overcome. Try measuring the diameter 1/2 way up the nose and get a collet with that diameter. Adjust the collet die in the press so the teeth dig in.

If you are dealing with a cast bullet it is rare that they can be pulled with a collet, so forget that tack.

Hodgdon doesn't show a load for a 175 SWC in .40 S&W, but the 5.4/HP-38 shouldn't be excessive since they do show 5.1 for a 180 Berry. What is your OAL? Possibly deep seated, or being pushed into the case when feeding! Have you chambered a round then extracted it and checked the OAL? Your problem may be cured by no more than tightening your crimp by .003-.005".

Now, a suggestion. If you do end up having to pull the bullets run your cartridges through your sizing die with the de-capping stem removed. This will compress the bullet and loosen it in the case enough to make it much easier to pull the bullets with an inertia bullet puller. Sometimes loose enough to hold the cartridge in your hand with a shellholder and grab the bullet with pliers and simply pull the bullets out!

Jumbo has the right method, end grain of log or timber chunk
works better than a hard surface and won't be so hard on
plastic of the hammer puller. If I don't care about bullet I use
a old pair of 8" Linemans pliers to grip bullet in cutter, and pull
bullet on down stroke of press. The pliers are big enough to
bridge the hole for dies.

Thanks again for all of the advice, throwing the original collets that came with my whammer is a great idea, along with resizing the shell case without the depriming pin. I was able to use a collet on my puller from say, a 32, don't remember the # and with a tight grip, it would lock on the base of the taper enough to pull the bullet, not not every time. Resizing the shell might be enough to pull them all out. I'm on the road right now, but when I return, I'll give it all a shot and report back. Might help someone else out. Thanks again to all!

Just be aware that if you do use a shell holder instead of the collet to not put any bullet with a high primer in it to pull the bullet, as there is a chance of having the bullets sit slightly off center and have contact with the high primer and accidentally fire the primer, While highly unusual, it has happened to other people. See the first post in this thread here that I googled up just now. And I'd read of other instances of this happening too.

I use an old side cutter but drilled a hole in the "cutting part" just under the caliber of the bullet i want to pull.


(Don't have a picture of the accual plier)

Then use a singlestage just like you, but the bullet has no damage
I have pulled thousends of military 9mm and 6.5mm bullets and re used them for other rounds.

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Jamie wants big boom

Now, a suggestion. If you do end up having to pull the bullets run your cartridges through your sizing die with the de-capping stem removed. This will compress the bullet and loosen it in the case enough to make it much easier to pull the bullets with an inertia bullet puller. Sometimes loose enough to hold the cartridge in your hand with a shellholder and grab the bullet with pliers and simply pull the bullets out![/QUOTE]

I've pulled bullets with both kinetic and collet type pullers, and have been a bit leery of banging on or squeezing loaded rounds. Contrary to popular belief, ammunition exploded outside a chamber doesn't do very much, but it's a different story in a chamber. Mashing a loaded round into a resizing die is not something I would want to do all day long. Odds of the compression detonating a primer are extremely low, but components are too cheap to risk popping one off and shooting the ceiling above your press. This is one of those low probability-high consequence scenarios best avoided. A plastic kinetic puller turning into shrapnel would be bad enough, but a resizing die makes a nice short barreled firearm with extremely fast-twist rifling. If you think this is far fetched, would you peer down the top of the die as you squeeze a loaded round into the die??? One in a million chance, I guess, but would you play Russian Roulette with a million-chambered revolver? Not me.

The Kinetic hammer used with the appropriate shell holder;once you've tried it,you'll see it's quicker to use than the puller and you don't loose the bullet.
Qc

It has taken me 45 year to finally figure this one out............

After seeing this post, why could it not be possible to use an
"Easy Out" screwed into the bullet and let the ram remove the bullet on the down stroke ?

I know it might not work but it is a old man's "Brain storm".

Please don't throw rocks at me.

So, looks like resizing the bullet before attempting to pull it worked like a charm. I did 200 or so and was somewhat cautious and slow with the resizing portion, but it all went without a hitch. I ended up using a collet for a 32 auto which would only bite a very small portion, but was enough to easily pull the bullet. Gotta thank everyone again who shared their ideas, as I did learn some new tricks which will be remembered. Cheers to all!!

Jimmy