Best (non impact) bullet puller?

[NoirFan]

So I loaded up 150 rounds of 357 magnum last night before I realized my scale was mis-calibrated by one full grain. D'oh. Guess it's time for a bullet puller. I live in an urban condo, though, so there's no good place to use a impact puller without annoying the neighbors and drawing unwelcome attention. What are some other good options out there? I have a Lee Classic Turret so I'd be open to on-press options as well.

Thanks

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've heard the Hornady cam lock style pullers work well, but are slow. It'd be quiet though.

 

[hdwhit]

NoirFan asked:
Best (non impact) bullet puller?

At the risk of sounding flippant; the "best" one is the one I'm willing to spend your money to buy for myself.

The one I actually went out and spent my own money to buy was the RCBS collet style bullet puller. Is it the "best"? Probably not. But it was reasonably priced, works well, rarely damages a bullet and is backed by a company with a sterling reputation for customer satisfaction and support. That was "good enough" for me.

 

[edwardware]

Depending on bullet profile, it may be difficult or impossible to get a grip on the bullet with a collet. Might be time for a road trip. . .

 

[egd]

I'd second the Cam lock puller. I bought a cheap ($30 i believe) Lee press just for it.
I never could get an impact puller to work well and when it broke I said to hell with it, I'm getting a decent set-up.

 

[clearcut]

The Hornady works well and most all bullets can be re used , soft lead and tight crimp not so good they need the impact puller.

CC

 

[wild willy]

Do you want to reuse the bullets.If cast I just use a pair of side cutters or run a screw in from the top.Melt em down and recast.If you want to reuse a impact puller is your best bet.

 

[Whiterook808]

I have a Forster, which I bought used for $10 with two collets. The real money is in the collets, if you load a bunch of calibers. There is an article in the current issue of Handloader on bullet pullers you might care to reference.

 

[NoirFan]

Thanks for the recs so far everyone, I'll look at some of those.

Do you want to reuse the bullets.If cast I just use a pair of side cutters or run a screw in from the top.Melt em down and recast.If you want to reuse a impact puller is your best bet.

Yep, I want to reuse bullets and powder.

P.S. Anyone have experience with this one? https://grip-n-pull.com/ It looks very handy.

 

[drband]

Thanks for the recs so far everyone, I'll look at some of those.


Yep, I want to reuse bullets and powder.

P.S. Anyone have experience with this one? https://grip-n-pull.com/ It looks very handy.

I would give that one a try if my impact puller breaks! Looks well thought out. I like the “no collets” design.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've heard the Hornady cam lock style pullers work well, but are slow. It'd be quiet though.

That's the problem with relating experience that you've "heard"...it isn't always accurate.

The Hornady Cam-Loc is quite, easy to set up, and very fast...especially if you are planning to reuse your bullet, powder, and cases.

I'm using mine in a Lee Classic Cast single stage equipped with dual bins from Inline Fabrications. After setting it for case length, my process is:
1. Insert cartridge, raise press ram and lower puller lever
2. Lower ram and remove case
3. Pour powder into container before dropping case into bin
4. Raise lever and catch pulled bullet
5. Drop bullet into bin while reaching for another cartridge

It takes < 10 secs to complete the cycle, so you should be able to pull your 150 in about 25 mins

 

[cougar1717]

I have used the Hornady cam lock puller a lot and can attest that it really works well. Once you adjust it, similarly to adjusting a reloading die, for depth and how much tension the collet puts on the bullet, you're set for volume pulling. The thing that I like most about it is that you can feel the amount of tension on the puller lever. You can set it for the worst case scenario, but only need to move the lever until you feel the appropriate amount of tension to lower the ram and pull the bullet. OP didn't mention the kind of bullets loaded, but this ensures that you aren't deforming soft, plated bullets as they are pulled.

 

[Milt1]

I just pulled 200 .45 ACP bullets using the RCBS w/collet. These were lead bullets which RCBS advises not to pull but I didn't mar single bullet. It probably took an hour and 15 minutes to do all of them. Once you get used to setting the collet and pulling a few, it goes about as fast as you can go.

 

[Whiterook808]

In the Handloader article I referenced earlier he compares the accuracy of the pulled bullets using the three methods, inertial, collet and grip-n-pull. The Grip-n-Pull deformed the bullets the most and therefore the pulled bullets were the least accurate after using that tool. Inertial pullers were best since the bullets were untouched and the collet he used (Forster) left a small mark. It may be that some practice is required with the plier-type pullers to minimize bullet damage.

 

[9mmepiphany]

using the RCBS w/collet... probably took an hour and 15 minutes to do all of them. Once you get used to setting the collet

That is one of the advantages of the Hornady over the RCBS. You only have to set the collet tension once...as opposed to each time...as it applies pressure through the top lever

 

[9mmepiphany]

The Grip-n-Pull deformed the bullets the most

That is because it only grips on two sides as opposed to surrounding the circumference of the bullet as a collet does

 

[minnesota]

I have both, the RCBS and Hornady. They both seem to work equally well, once you have them set up, and set up is not hard. I have re used every bullet that I have had to pull. I would buy which ever color you prefer.

 

[Blue68f100]

Handguns ammo can be a hit and miss with collet pullers. If you don't have enough bullet exposed to grab the inertia is better.

You said your off 1gr. Where are you in the load range? Does it kick it into over charge?

 

[9mmepiphany]

If you don't have enough bullet exposed to grab, the inertia is better.

I corrected the punctuation, but otherwise this is true.

I have used an inertia puller to start a bullet out, for better purchase, and then used the collet...when I wanted to recover the powder

 

[drband]

In the Handloader article I referenced earlier he compares the accuracy of the pulled bullets using the three methods, inertial, collet and grip-n-pull. The Grip-n-Pull deformed the bullets the most and therefore the pulled bullets were the least accurate after using that tool. Inertial pullers were best since the bullets were untouched and the collet he used (Forster) left a small mark. It may be that some practice is required with the plier-type pullers to minimize bullet damage.

Thanks for that report!

 

[wrench459]

I've got the red one.
Took me a few rounds to learn how to set it up.
After that smooooooth sailing.

 

[420]

The Forster setup works for me.

 

[Strat Rider]

for only 150 cartridges - I'm going to take them to another location and use what I have. You could bang those out in the parking lot of the local walmart in no time.

 

[Stew0576]

I can see that on live pd, no officers I'm not a threat

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I have the Hornady collet puller and it works great, if the bullet profile is suitable. It doesn't work well with SWC, most JHP, or truncated cone profiles, they just don't have enough full diameter shank for the collet to grab. If you load those types long and have enough of the shank sticking out of the case then you might get lucky. Otherwise, play some whack-a-mole.