Best bullet puller - opinions please...

[rwsmith]

I'm tired of impact bullet pullers and I've even broken one. (hitting on a wood block) I was checking reviews and most highly rated one I see is the RCBS collet bullet puller. It's not expensive but there are a lot of collets to buy.

I'd be looking at .38/.357, .30 caliber, 9mm so I don't have a wide variety, but I would have to get one for SWCs in the pistol calibers.

I've tried the pliers and press routine and haven't had much luck, mostly just mangles the bullet.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Rule3]

I bought the RCBS with a bunch of collets when I have a "boatload" of loaded ammo from a pawn shop. It works very well.
The Hornady is probably just as good. Pick your flavor.


They are not for lead bullets, it will mess them up.

 

[Drm50]

I got both types RCBS & Forrester, the Hornady and hammer. Hornady don’t work good on lead bullets. RCBS & Forrester are the same they will work the SWCs are mostly lead and I’ve never had much luck saving lead bullets. If you want a miracle puller for them it’s not be invented yet.

 

[muddocktor]

I have a CH/4D #402 collet puller and it works well. It's design is much the same as the Forster collet puller. The only problem with it is that about the only place you can buy collets from is from CH/4D themselves, as I haven't found a B&M store or online store that stocks their stuff. With that said, it's high quality and made in the USA. I also own a RCBS whack a mole impact tool too and it's decent for a whack a mole.

 

[mmb617]

When I had a lot of 9mm FMJ's that needed pulled I bought the RCBS collet puller and it worked great.

 

[rkittine]

Forster make great reloading equipment. Most 1,000 yard bench rest shooters have plenty of Forster equipment in their loading rooms. They do ship quickly. And you can buy their products at a discount at places like Sinclair International. I love the Forster Coaxial Loading Press.

Bob

 

[H Richard]

I have been using a hammer type puller for over 35 years. I have broken one after about 15 years of use, the second one is still fine. I found the secret was the surface you hit it against. It has to be "hard". I smack them against the flat part of my 4" bench vise. I 've pulled 30-06, .308, 7TCU, 7X30 Waters, .222, 22-250, 44Mag, .357, .45acp, .38 Special, .380 and maybe a few more that I don't recall.

 

[Bob L]

I have both the RCBS cullet puller and a Midway hammer type. Use the hammer type the most, hitting it on the concrete floor in my reloading room. The RCBS works well but you have to turn the cross bar to open and close it every time. I have been looking at the Hornady with the large lever on the top so you only have to pull it down to tighten and up to release. I think that if you have a lot to do, it would be easier then the other two.

 

[dave1918a2]

I second the RCBS collet type.

 

[Rule3]

Once again, they really are not designed for SWC bullets or lead. Some have tried using a smaller caliber collet for the SWC , don't know if that works without messing up the bullet.?

 

[rwsmith]

Thanks everybody!

I'll still have my RCBS inertia puller, for pulling a few rifle bullets it's fine.

But I'll look into the RCBS, Hornady and Forster in that order.

 

[Drm50]

The hammers work best when struck on something solid with some give.
I use a end grain on piece of 6x6 set on concrete floor. Hold hammer loose and let it do the work. A cotton ball will pad the deformation of lead bullets.
Lead bullets crimped into grease groves are rough to pull in any style puller.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

My RCBS used hitting directly on concrete floor has lasted me for over a couple of thousands rds pulled(after blowing a Sig P226,I had to ''unreload'' aprox 2500 9mm rds.Not my fault;repackaged powder from dealer was labeled as Unique while more like Nobel 100,quicker than Bullseye!).I use it with the proper shellholder instead of the supplied universal collet.

 

[kbm6893]

I have the Frankfort Arsenal hammer type puller. For pistol rounds a few whacks and they’re out. I just started loading.223 and have had to pull a few. Not easy or fun! I whack it in a 2X4 on my concrete garage floor and it take 10-15 whacks easily. The vibration goes right up my hand.

 

[dmy]

RCBS

I've had my original RCBS hammer-style kinetic puller more than 35 years and it is still going strong. I'll pass on something which I recently read, but haven't needed to try. Use your shell holder rather than the 3-piece collet. It's supposed to make loading and unloading bullets into the puller much faster. I also use a small piece of paper towel in the bottom which makes the bullet drop softly.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I'm tired of impact bullet pullers and I've even broken one.

RW;

Maybe you should double check your work habits, to where bad loads don't happen.

You don't need a hammer, then..............

 

[jim lock]

x2 for the shell holder. Works great.

 

[gwpercle]

Here is a little tip for those who use a kinetic (hammer) puller .
Before you start pulling , seat the bullet just a hair deeper in the case !
Why seat it deeper....you break the crimp / hold the case has on the bullet .
I broke down 500 rounds of 30-06 military ammo . The AP bullets were both crimped in place and sealed with a black sealant .
Breaking the crimp keeps you from breaking your kinetic puller ...
Trust me on this one ...seating deeper = pulled bullet in 3 - 4 medium raps on a solid surface . 3-4 medium raps works much better than hitting so hard you break the handle .
I salvaged all 500 bullets , the powder and all 500 cases ...it will work better than an old voo doo womans magic spell .
Gary

 

[torizus]

Here is a little tip for those who use a kinetic (hammer) puller .
Before you start pulling , seat the bullet just a hair deeper in the case !
Why seat it deeper....you break the crimp / hold the case has on the bullet .
I broke down 500 rounds of 30-06 military ammo . The AP bullets were both crimped in place and sealed with a black sealant .
Breaking the crimp keeps you from breaking your kinetic puller ...
Trust me on this one ...seating deeper = pulled bullet in 3 - 4 medium raps on a solid surface . 3-4 medium raps works much better than hitting so hard you break the handle .
I salvaged all 500 bullets , the powder and all 500 cases ...it will work better than an old voo doo womans magic spell .
Gary

Spot on, breaking that crimp point seal works great on stubborn ammo.
Another tip that is not commonly known is that you can use the shell holder in place of the puller supplied grommet and O ring that comes with most pullers. Seems to provide a firmer or more stable hold on the case when inertia is applied.

 

[gwpercle]

Spot on, breaking that crimp point seal works great on stubborn ammo.
Another tip that is not commonly known is that you can use the shell holder in place of the puller supplied grommet and O ring that comes with most pullers. Seems to provide a firmer or more stable hold on the case when inertia is applied.

Great tip also .
I ditched the flimsy factory doo-dad that was supposed to hold those 30-06 shells after two dozen were pulled and substituted a good Redding shell holder.
After that... only shell holders were used for whatever round being pulled .
Universal Holder is code word speak for ..."fits nothing very well" .
I had forgotten about this tip .
Gary