Impact Pullers

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Jesse Heywood

Jesse Heywood

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I have always had problems when pulling bullets from rimless cartridges using the collets in the whack-a-mole impact style puller. Using a case holder appeared to be the answer, but there was a problem. How to hold the case so the primer didn’t contact the holder? This could cause the primer to detonate under unusual circumstances.

The answer came in the form of a common flat washer. A 5/16” washer has an inner diameter of 3/8” and outer diameter of approximately 7/8” which just fits inside the cap of my RCBS & Frankford Arsenal pullers. The washers I had on hand measured at .879 OD and .377 ID. The .377 ID is a tad smaller than common pistol cases.

Using my trusty Dremel tool with a small stone I started reaming the washer to fit cases. .380 ACP, .373 OD. 9 mm, .390 OD. .22 TCM (cut down .223 Rem), .377 OD. I was able to use an ID of .397 which allowed enough clearance for easy placement of the cases while allowing clearance for the primer. The ID needed will vary due to tolerances of the puller, case holder, case size and washer. Use the provided dimensions only as a guide. Primer clearance is critical.

Photos:
1 Assembly
2 Washer OD., Washer ID, Ground washer

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3 Case holder, Puller cap RCBS, Puller cap FA
4 Case .380, Case 9 mm, Case .22 TCM
 

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Give me clarification please. It seems that installing a washer in said position would serve to move the primer closer to the end cap, thereby increasing probability of detonation.

Without the washer, the primer should be further away from any potential contact surface.

??
 
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Never though of using a shellholder.

Is the problem you are having that the cartridges are breaking lose of the collet and sliding into the tube ?

The lyman puller I have, its collets essentially ARE expanding shellholders, as they have a ring in the collet that slides right into the extractor groove.

Do the RCBS collets not possess this feature ?

If not, this looks like a nice workaround for the RCBS puller. I'll have to check on the one at the shop ( I have a lyman at home, and haven't used the one in the store ) and look at the collets.
 
All the washer does is keep the case centered. The primer is thus shielded by the shell holder. Now way for it to hit anything.
 
from the looks of the puller, I use the same one. From the looks of it vs mine, the washer serves no function. JMHO
 
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blarby said:
Never though of using a shellholder.

The lyman puller I have, its collets essentially ARE expanding shellholders, as they have a ring in the collet that slides right into the extractor groove.

Do the RCBS collets not possess this feature ?

If not, this looks like a nice workaround for the RCBS puller. I'll have to check on the one at the shop ( I have a lyman at home, and haven't used the one in the store ) and look at the collets.
Click to expand...

The RCBS had a one size fits all collet that doesn't give much grip. The FA came with 3 collets of different sizes that work better, but not by much. I was always having rimless cases coming loose. They work best with rims.

Of course, after I started using the shellholder I ripped the head off the first .22 TCM I tried (after numerous blows). That was also when the RCBS broke.
 
That was also when the RCBS broke.
Click to expand...

Was wondering about that !

Please replace it with a Lyman- its not only a much sturdier design, but apparently comes with superior collets :D

If you compare the lyman to the now deceased RCBS, there is a huge metal rod ( actually the entire shaft is metal ) reinforced with a good 3/8" of REALLY impact resisistant plastic right where your rcbs failed :/

Its also got a way nicer grip.



Much like pulling .223, the 22TCM is gonna require a lot of whacking. Really light bullet makes the inertia part of the inertia puller......irritating.
 
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Retired my inertia "hammer" after a few times using it. Yes, it worked ok but I just didn't like the process. I switched to the more civilized RCBS press mounted puller. If I need to do a quick disassembly, then I still use Thor's hammer to get the job done.
 
My FA puller collets seem to grip .380, 9mm, & .45s just fine. It has 3 collet sizes included.
 
Jesse Heywood said:
The RCBS had a one size fits all collet that doesn't give much grip. The FA came with 3 collets of different sizes that work better, but not by much.
Click to expand...
Thats odd- MY RCBS came with 3 collets of different sizes.
I did manage to crack the impact head of it- called RCBS and they sent me a whole new one free of charge.
BTW I'm still using the cracked head one and will until it completely fails
 
Gravedigger56 said:
Retired my inertia "hammer" after a few times using it. Yes, it worked ok but I just didn't like the process. I switched to the more civilized RCBS press mounted puller. If I need to do a quick disassembly, then I still use Thor's hammer to get the job done.
Click to expand...
This parallels my experience. I will still sometimes use The Hammer for quick disassembly of a couple of pistol caliber OOPSes.

Thanks for sharing the tip, Jesse Heywood! I will give it a try next time I am sitting at the bench looking for something new & interesting to work on. ;)
 
The RCBS had a one size fits all collet that doesn't give much grip. The FA came with 3 collets of different sizes that work better, but not by much. I was always having rimless cases coming loose. They work best with rims.

Of course, after I started using the shellholder I ripped the head off the first .22 TCM I tried (after numerous blows). That was also when the RCBS broke.
Click to expand...

Used a RCBS for a short while on concrete. This left stress grooves in the plastic and of course it broke.

Good News, RCBS carries a lifetime warranty and they replaced it, now after likely hundreds and hundreds over the years I've yet to have the first problem.

It's obvious YM is V.

As far as the Lyman. I don't believe they give a lifetime warranty.
 
Used a RCBS for a short while on concrete.
Click to expand...

I use a Frankford Arsenal. What I've found is that a hardwood block works best. Pine will work IF you strike parallel to the grain but I've sat there banging perpendicular to the grain for dozens of strikes without the bullet moving. Concrete I haven't tried simply for fear of breaking the puller.

I have a very small block of maple that I tend to strike against which works very well.

Seriously though - why has no one come out with an aluminum or steel kinetic puller design? I'd be willing to pay $60-75 for one if I knew it wasn't as fragile as the plastic ones.
 
I'm puzzled why the collets don't work for you. These things have been around long enough to get the kinks worked out. Mine works like a champ for 9mm and .223, the only 2 calibers I've tried it with. I don't remember where I got it, but it looks exactly like the Hornady puller that Midway sells, except it says "Quinetics" on the grip.

Edit: I was looking for something else today and stumbled across the original package that my Quinetics puller came in and there's a reason it looks exactly like the Hornady puller that Midway sells... it came in a Hornady package! I think I bought it at a LGS, but like they say, the memory is the first thing to go.
 
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He should have three collets.
One of them will work.


Using a shell holder in place of a collet is dangerous.

The three-jaw collet is designed to spring open and release pressure before the hammer head blows up in the event a round goes off in it.

With a shell holder in the way, the hammer head becomes a plastic pipe bomb.


685703.jpg



rc
 
I used the shell holder method for a while until I found out it could be more dangerous.

I just us an old RCBS puller with the metal shaft handle that was made by Quinetics.
They still make them and have a web site. PLus they have a new chuck for them too that is suppose to work great.

The new Quinetics chuck will work with the old RCBS metal handle. I called them to confirm but have not ordered it yet. It is suppose to work with other brands also. The old RCBS one works great for me in all calibers if I have to use it.:eek:

http://quinetics.com


TxD
 
rcmodel said:
He should have three collets.
One of them will work.


Using a shell holder in place of a collet is dangerous.

The three-jaw collet is designed to spring open and release pressure before the hammer head blows up in the event a round goes off in it.

With a shell holder in the way, the hammer head becomes a plastic pipe bomb.


685703.jpg



rc
Click to expand...
Exactly right ^^^^^^^^
 
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