RCBS Collet type bullet puller

[Sam McCord]

I recently purchased someone else's reloads to salvage components. I have a kinetic type bullet puller but was wondering if a collet type puller might work better. Any thoughts here? I've never used the collet type before.
Thanks.

 

[Jellybean]

It will depend on the bullets shape and, to some degree, what they are made of.

How much full bullet diameter do you have exposed? If they are wadcutters, semiwadcutters, TCs, or something of the same general design you might not have enough to grab hold of.

I have had problems pulling softer, as in not hard cast, lead bullets. The collets drew them out until they looked like nails.

 

[Sam McCord]

The bullets being pulled are 7mm Mauser jacketed and some 35 Remington jacketed. I bought these at an auction but I will not not shoot ammo reloaded by someone else. Too many idiots out there that own reloading equipment.

 

[DoubleH]

RCBS Collet Bullet Puller

I have used the RCBS puller on many different FMJ rifle bullets with great success. The instructions specifically state not to use on lead bullets.

You can probably download instructions from their website.

Thanks

 

[Jellybean]

With jacketed rifle bullets you should have no problem.


Instructions are for people who lack imagination.

 

[Nemo288]

The collet puller works very well. I have used one for years.
I have always been a little frightened of the impact type
especially for hard crimped ammo. The thought of an old
(like WW2) round going off this way got me to buy the collet
in the first place. They are also faster to use once you get going. Properly set up they are gentle to the components.
Try it. You will like it

---
Nemo

 

[olskool]

i have used a rcbs kinetic puller for years with no problems. let me share a secret about it, i never use the aluminum band that holds the bullet. i use a rcbs shell holder, i put it on the rim of the bullet and insert it into the puller and screw on the cap. it works a lot faster a and will not come loose when slammed.

 

[ISOM]

Bullet Pullers

With my 41 years of reloading, I know the following:
A collet bullet puller will pull rifle bullets, only.
A kinetic type bullet puller will pull handgun and all others.

 

[Jellybean]

With my 41 years of reloading, I know the following:
A collet bullet puller will pull rifle bullets, only.
A kinetic type bullet puller will pull handgun and all others.

I don't quite have 41 years of reloading experience, but I have pulled many handgun bullets with a collet puller and a lot of them were lead.

Between the two I much prefer the collets and only resort to the hammer if the collets won't do the job. If you want to learn the definition of the word "frustration" try to take apart about 100 .25 auto cartridges, loaded with lightweight lead bullets with a kinetic puller. Since they weigh so little they don't build up as much kinetic energy as a heavier bullet would. I couldn't get them all with the collet puller, but the hammer didn't get any of them.

The collets will only close so far and if the part of the bullet you are trying to pull is too small to fit, it won't work. At that point you can try other collets to see if some other caliber won't fit and work better.

 

[Big Cholla]

Jelleybean's got it right; the collet puller is great for jacketed bullets only, not good for lead. IMHO, With the exception of very light pistol bullets, the kinetic hammer works best with lead bullets.

Here is a hint for removal of glued-in military bullets; run the loaded cartridge thru a reloading press's bullet seater die and push the bullet into the case slightly to break the seal before going to the collet type RCBS puller.

I have found that usually the collet type deforms the jacketed bullet enough that they are not worth reusing. ........ Big Cholla

 

[Sam McCord]

Allright, as a follow up to my original post...

I went out and purchased an RCBS collet die and the appropiate collets. Have pulled over 200 bullets and reloaded and fired some of them. I should have used one of these years ago, it's the berrys for pulling bullets and beats the dickens out of the "hammer" type.

Thanks to all who replied with usable info.

Sam

 

[ColColt]

I have the RCBS collet puller and never could get it to work right. the kinetic works much better for me.