whatnickname
Member
Really safe unless you try to use one on a rimfire bullet.
How safe is a inertia bullet puller?
- Thread starter Eddy19
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LaneP
Member
I've had an inertia bullet puller since starting to reload. They are an indispensable tool to have around. The hardest bullet I've ever had to pull was a 7.62x39mm 1966 Chicom round. They used some sort of lacquer adhesive sealant between bullet and case. That bullet didn't want to budge and I thought I was going to destroy my bullet puller getting it out, but it finally let go. If I had more to do I would use a collet style puller.
Scooter22
Member
I've been using one for 40+ years. No problem. Only times I,ve read of one exploding was traced to someone using one on surplus ammo. Turned out to be tracer, incendiary, or explosive bullet. One of those. If you have some old stuck bullets run them in a seating die turned down a twist or two to break the bond. They pop right out.
Ironicaintit
Member
It only kindasorta worked. I dont recommend it.
Fine Figure of a Man
Member
I always do and cannot imagine how it could ever cause a problem.
I am going to pee in the punch bowl:
Primer goes off in inertial bullet puller on a loaded 22-250.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=794751
Just had a close call when using a RCBS inertial bullet puller. I have been using one of these for about 30 years with out any problem. Today I was going to pull a few bullets out of loaded 22-250 ammo to change the load for testing.
I had a 50 grain Hornady V-Max on top of 37.5 grains of Varget in Hornady brass with a CCI 200 LR Primer. I smack the RCBS inertial bullet puller several times on the concrete floor and the bullet would not budge, I finally gave it a very hard hit and the primer went the Primer went off. At first I thought I might have hit a loose primer lying on the floor but could not find any burn marks, then I noticed the primer was missing out of the cartridge but the cartridge was intact with the bullet still in it. How that that be possible. I the powder did not ignite. I thought may be the primer bounced out and I smacked it on the floor, so I pulled the bullet and dumped the powder out. Sure enough several grains of powder were singed but the powder did not ignite. The primer simply went off and with out any thing to hold the primer in, it simply pushed it self out with out enough fire going thru the flash hole to set off the powder.
I have been reloading for 47 years and loaded ten of thousands of rounds. I never would have believed this would have been possible.
Has any one else ever had a primer go off by accident?
I have used inertial pullers for decades now, never had a primer go off, but you know, never say never. Wear your safety glasses when priming and also when using inertial pullers. If you never have a primer go off, you absolutely wasted your time. If those glasses protect your vision, because the ultra rare sensitive primer went off, you will value those safety glasses more than gold bars.
Anyone remember this thread?
Dropped ammo detonates...
While accidents due to old gunpowder and sensitive primers are rare, become complacent and you will find these energetic items have the energy to hurt you badly.
Primer goes off in inertial bullet puller on a loaded 22-250.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=794751
Just had a close call when using a RCBS inertial bullet puller. I have been using one of these for about 30 years with out any problem. Today I was going to pull a few bullets out of loaded 22-250 ammo to change the load for testing.
I had a 50 grain Hornady V-Max on top of 37.5 grains of Varget in Hornady brass with a CCI 200 LR Primer. I smack the RCBS inertial bullet puller several times on the concrete floor and the bullet would not budge, I finally gave it a very hard hit and the primer went the Primer went off. At first I thought I might have hit a loose primer lying on the floor but could not find any burn marks, then I noticed the primer was missing out of the cartridge but the cartridge was intact with the bullet still in it. How that that be possible. I the powder did not ignite. I thought may be the primer bounced out and I smacked it on the floor, so I pulled the bullet and dumped the powder out. Sure enough several grains of powder were singed but the powder did not ignite. The primer simply went off and with out any thing to hold the primer in, it simply pushed it self out with out enough fire going thru the flash hole to set off the powder.
I have been reloading for 47 years and loaded ten of thousands of rounds. I never would have believed this would have been possible.
Has any one else ever had a primer go off by accident?
I have used inertial pullers for decades now, never had a primer go off, but you know, never say never. Wear your safety glasses when priming and also when using inertial pullers. If you never have a primer go off, you absolutely wasted your time. If those glasses protect your vision, because the ultra rare sensitive primer went off, you will value those safety glasses more than gold bars.
Anyone remember this thread?
Dropped ammo detonates...
While accidents due to old gunpowder and sensitive primers are rare, become complacent and you will find these energetic items have the energy to hurt you badly.
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Eddy19
Member
Glad you didn't get injured Slamfire. I'll continue to put unknown cartridges into the NG / unknown bottle.
Orcon
Member
Safe is a relative term though, it largely depends on your risk tolerance. How safe is driving a car? I'd wager that you're more likely to develop a repetative motion injury than to activate a primer, especially if you're using best practices.
The real question is who has time to use an inertia puller? The labor, the mess, the incessant *twack-twack-twack-twack-twacking*
The real question is who has time to use an inertia puller? The labor, the mess, the incessant *twack-twack-twack-twack-twacking*
Obturation
Member
Don't know of anything 100% safe. Even watching tv in bed you can get bed sores, misaligned spine and screwed up vision.
I've pulled more than i'd like to admit and haven't had an issue.
frankmako
Member
never had any problems with one.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Primers are designed to ignite when struck sharply which does not happen when the ammo is being disassembled with a puller.
Appreciate the concern, and am very happy that I am quoting some else's experience.
desmobob
Member
Although we're always seeing new idiots who can screw up even the most recent idiot-proof items, if there was any danger in kinetic bullet pullers, I'm guessing the liability suits would have eliminated them from the market by now or raised the price so high you wouldn't be able to afford one.
Eddy19
Member
Good point! ... thanks
rfwobbly
Member
As a novice reloader this thread caught my attention. I was glad to read the responses from so many experienced folks opining that kinetic pullers are very safe when used properly, and with safety glasses. Because in my reloading journey there is nothing that appeared more intuitively insane as to place a live bullet into a 'hammer' and beat it like you hate it. The first time this procedure was explained to me by a salty old reloader, my jaw dropped in disbelief. When he actually demonstrated the procedure, I silently prayed believing I was going die on the first whack. I survived but it took awhile for me to recover from the experience. LOL
Geeze, I still don't like pulling bullets. The positive comments here provide some reassurance. Thanks.
Geeze, I still don't like pulling bullets. The positive comments here provide some reassurance. Thanks.
peterk1234
Member
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I remember the first time I used one. It just did not seem right. I was like, "okay, so slam this thing with a bullet in it as hard as I want onto my concrete floor". Perfectly safe once you think it it through. But your brain definitely wants to question the logic 
higgite
Member
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- Dec 17, 2009
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- 2,079
That's sort of like saying a steak is either done or it's not done.
When I see a story like that , I have to think there's more to it than meets the eye. But, maybe not.
Whak a Mole pullers are designed to be dangerous! They are made out of plastic!!!! Designed to break apart when struck sharply and then you have to replace them with your hard earned money. Just try to get one replaced under warranty. (Ahh, Er Yes I was hammering with it......sorry abuse of product is not covered!)
When broken they may send sharp pieces of plastic into your face.
The safe pullers are made out of steel! Unfortunately the steel ones don't have to be replaced and are economically more unprofitable for manufacturers. Thats why they are not made.
Every time you use a plastic one you are in danger of losing your money!
When broken they may send sharp pieces of plastic into your face.
The safe pullers are made out of steel! Unfortunately the steel ones don't have to be replaced and are economically more unprofitable for manufacturers. Thats why they are not made.
Every time you use a plastic one you are in danger of losing your money!
Mike Kerr
Member
Your apprehension is well justified. If you stay apprehensive after reading the replies in this thread then you will have developed a fear. BTW post no 28 gives a tip about a good method of breaking the crimp seal before you start whacking away on the concrete. BTW No 2 you will have better results if you have a short post like a 20" 4x4 or even a 20" tall piece of 2x4 which you brace on the floor- then whack your inertia puller on the post from a level position like being seated ( or bend over and strain you back if you want). Keep your forearm straight from the elbow all the way to the head of the inertia puller. Don't bend your wrist and whack it like a newbie. If you ever watched old time roofers or framers that is how they deliver the hammer with such force to drive a nail with primary force. This whacking your puller on the concrete 10 times is not the optimum way to do it.
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