How Do I Safely Remove a Bullet From a Live Cartridge?

[5erdriver]

First off I have no reloading gear. I would like to remove a 250 gr. LRN from a live Remington Target cartridge and a 255 gr. hard cast Keith from a live Buffalo Bore cartridge. I need the bullets to test the cylinder throat diameters of a S&W 25-5 which is notorious for oversized throats. I would need to remove the bullets without affecting the diameter of the bases. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[824tsv]

You will need a to acquire a kinetic bullet puller. That's the only safe way that I know of to remove the bullet from a live round.

 

[Yorkie Man]

Without a kinetic puller you can use a pair of pliers but that would probably ruin the bullet. Does your 25-5 have an alpha serial number?

I have one that I fitted a mountain gun cylinder to because of oversize throats. If yours has them you will probably get keyholes and the groups will be nothing to brag about.

If you have a dial caliper you can get a rough measurement, mine were .458-.459, but a pin gauge is the proper way to measure them.

Mike

 

[MichiganScott]

I read more than one report over the years about cartridges going off and spontaneously disassembling kinetic bullet puller pullers, so I no longer use one. The problem with collet type pullers like I use for rifle bullets is that they can not get a grip on short handgun bullets.

Since you are only interested in the body and base of the bullet, a side cutter will work. Remove your die from the press, raise the ram, get a good hold on the bullet with the cutter, and lower the ram. I just toss problem handgun rounds anymore because of the problems with pulling the bullets.

 

[SMSgt]

Either a kinetic puller or a bullet-pulling die will work, but neither is best for you need.

Order/obtain a lead slug (Check with Dardas site) intended for slugging bore. It's softer than the bullet, will slide through easier, and will give a more accurate reading. Dardas will even do the measurements (not the easiest thing to do) for you and recommend proper lead bullet size if requested.

I read when many recommend slugging bores in semi autos, but a well-known Gun rag "reloading" writer (Duke Venturino?) says don't waste the time. .357-.358 should work in any of them. He does recommend slugging cylinders, throats, and bores of revolvers as the bullet has 3 separate opening it has to fit properly for best accuracy (Especially on .45 SSAs, he claims).

 

[ken158]

You just need a couple bullets in different diameters - maybe someone here can just send you a few... without proper tools you will not pull a bullet from a live cartridge w/o messing it up.

 

[SMSgt]

And in lieu of "slugs and bullets," a lead fishing weight of proper size will work. Soft lead is what you want.

 

[series guy]

For all the effort you can just check McMaster-Carr and order a few plug gauges. They're cheap and worth owning.

 

[stu1ritter]

Vermont pin gauges were available on Amazon for $4.85 each. Three or four should cover your needs and they are extremely accurate. There are several sellers with different price structures. Check them all out.
Stu

 

[David R]

I read more than one report over the years about cartridges going off and spontaneously disassembling kinetic bullet puller pullers, so I no longer use one. The problem with collet type pullers like I use for rifle bullets is that they can not get a grip on short handgun bullets.

Since you are only interested in the body and base of the bullet, a side cutter will work. Remove your die from the press, raise the ram, get a good hold on the bullet with the cutter, and lower the ram. I just toss problem handgun rounds anymore because of the problems with pulling the bullets.

Could you explain how the bullet went off or direct me to a situation that shows this? Never seen it, can't imagine how it could possibly happen.

OP I will send you some bullets if you want.

David

 

[BE Mike]

I read more than one report over the years about cartridges going off and spontaneously disassembling kinetic bullet puller pullers, so I no longer use one. The problem with collet type pullers like I use for rifle bullets is that they can not get a grip on short handgun bullets.

Since you are only interested in the body and base of the bullet, a side cutter will work. Remove your die from the press, raise the ram, get a good hold on the bullet with the cutter, and lower the ram. I just toss problem handgun rounds anymore because of the problems with pulling the bullets.

I suppose that anything is possible, but used properly, with a kinetic bullet puller in good condition, the chances of a primer detonation is probably less than being attacked by a shark, if you've never left Indiana.

 

[5erdriver]

Thanks guys. I'll try some soft fishing weights in the chambers first and then measure them with a digital caliper. If I don't think that I'm getting accurate or ballpark readings on those, I'll order a few plug gauges.

 

[stu1ritter]

Could you explain how the bullet went off or direct me to a situation that shows this? Never seen it, can't imagine how it could possibly happen.

OP I will send you some bullets if you want.

David

It has been known to happen when people use a shell holder from a press instead of the collet that belongs in the inertia puller. Certain calibers can hit the primer. A really dumb thing to do but I suppose some who have done it lost the collet and just thought it easier to use a shell holder.
Stu

 

[SMSgt]

I suppose that anything is possible, but used properly, with a kinetic bullet puller in good condition, the chances of a primer detonation is probably less than being attacked by a shark, if you've never left Indiana.

You might want to change your analogy; sharks bites are a regular occurrence here in FL. Lightning strikes are not uncommon either. Maybe being hit by a meteor?

 

[BE Mike]

You might want to change your analogy; sharks bites are a regular occurrence here in FL. Lightning strikes are not uncommon either. Maybe being hit by a meteor?

Yes, but as I stated, shark bites aren't that common in the Hoosier state.

 

[5erdriver]

I ordered plug gauges this morning, .452, .453, .454, & .455. If those are too small for the chambers then I'm screwed & will probably have to order another cylinder from S&W. I haven't shot the revolver yet, I don't really want to waste any ammo if the throats are way out of wack. The gauges should arrive next week, I can wait until then. I thank you all for your help & suggestions.

 

[Rule3]

Shark bites in Florida are a very RARE occurrence. In all of 2013 there were 23 "attacks" None fatal.

The percentage of people in the water and the entire length of the coastlines they very, very rare.

Lighting strikes are more common and it is the Lighting Capital of the World. Most are out of State Golfers though , so...

 

[bullseyebill]

Did you check the throats with your calipers before ordering
your gages?

 

[rwsmith]

RCBS

RCBS makes a sturdy kinetic puller that is usually less than $20.

At first I couldn't get anything to pull, then I got the technique down.

 

[stu1ritter]

Did you check the throats with your calipers before ordering
your gages?

Calipers aren't accurate enough for cylinder throat measurements. There was a discussion in the Smithing forum and on the whole we found them to be "off the mark" more often than on. The pin gauges are + or - .0002 and you can trust their accuracy.