Pulling stubborn handgun bullets

[David LaPell]

I recently got some .41 Mag loaded ammo, I really like the bullets, but don't trust the loads (don't know who handloaded them). They're pretty heavily crimped, and my RCBS kinetic puller doesn't budge them. I have only pulled rifle bullets up to now, and am just starting on the handgun bullets. Is there any way to bump them loose from that crimp?

 

[David LaPell]

I recently got some .41 Mag loaded ammo, I really like the bullets, but don't trust the loads (don't know who handloaded them). They're pretty heavily crimped, and my RCBS kinetic puller doesn't budge them. I have only pulled rifle bullets up to now, and am just starting on the handgun bullets. Is there any way to bump them loose from that crimp?

 

[John R]

Keep hammering them on a hard surface, they'll come out.

Don't pound them on cement though, you'll break your puller.

 

[Rule3]

Use several quick repeated raps on the wood workbench. Sometimes 3-5 times real quick. Just slaming it once usually does not do it.

 

[Sheldon]

A collet style puller may work better. I'm sure the heavy crimp on the bullets is what's making it so tough for you.....how many rounds we talking about??

 

[OKFC05]

If they are so over-crimped that an inertia puller won't do it, the bullets are probably ruined from distortion anyway.

 

[czakjm]

Maybe you can borrow yur friend's 41 Mag Ruger Blackhawk or Thompson Contender for an afternoon...I'd lend you mine, but I hate long distance relationships...

 

[DonD]

My experience with big bore revolvers (.500 Mag) is that with adequate crimping, the slugs sometimes just won't come out with an inertia puller or take many many repetitions with the cartridge usually slipping out of the jaws, a major PITA.

The collet pullers work beautifully and can handle the diameter of the .41 Mag. Don

 

[Erich]

I've never been comfortable with the hammer-style pullers before - only used mine once in a great while. After using it to pull 83 .357s late last month, though, I'm an expert. It's like anything mechanical: let the machine do the work. Screw that collett down tight and it'll work a lot better. I could get a seriously firm-crimped bullet out in as few as four whacks - w/o the collett being properly screwed down, it could take 40.

 

[Guest]

I bought one of the Hammer Style pullers many years ago because I was running a "QC Test" on a bunch of ammo for the Department I worked for. I did modify mine by cutting a hole in the side of it so I could empty out the bullet and powder without having to take the whole thing apart every time. The one I have had a molded in area that just "Looked" like it should have been open so I did.

I also added a bit of a cloth patch into the bottom of the tool to keep from damaging the bullets as they came out of the case.

 

[TwoPoundPull]

Sometimes it's just not going to happen.....

 

[Erich]

I don't even want to say what that looks like . . .

 

[lafayne]

If I want to salvage the brass and scrap the bullets, I place the cartridge in my Rockchucker, run the ram up until the bullet clears the top of the press and grab it with wire cutters and hang on while I lower the ram. It has never failed to pull any bullet.

 

[madcaster]

SMART move friend,better safe than sorry!

 

[DonD]

Lafayne's procedure is what I use for annoying .500 Mag loads. Don

 

[Hoptob]

It happens... Once I was pulling heavily crimped Remington round and lead core came out of SJHP bullet. Empty jacket stayed inside the case.

Mike

 

[Guest]

One of the Main reasons I reload is to save on cost of ammo so I'm not likely going to be using the Lafayne method because the Bullet is likely the most expensive part of the load.

TwoPoundPull; Well all I can say is that that is one very long core!!! And, BS does come to mind!

 

[kennyb]

like erich i consider myself a bit of an expert as a "hammer guy" i once hammered 300 rounds of 41 mag.open....i found a very quick rap works far better...i strike it on the end of a 2x2 which is very hard but does not damage the hammer

 

[bnitch]

Use a shell holder instead of the collett. May help a little.

 

[31 Pump]

I just found a great surface to hammer on. I have a rubber mat about an inch thick that I stand on by my bench. It was designed to go under a swing set where a kid drags his feet at a playground. When you hit the hammer on the rubber mat there is less noise, less jarring of your hand, less potential to break your hammer, and the round pops right out. If you can find a nice thick piece of rubber like this to set on your bench you can wail away.

Glenn