Strykervet
member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2010
- Messages
- 1,610
I was recently faced with pulling several hundred older loaded 9mm and .357 rounds, with 124 and 125 grain Rainier plated bullets. I've always heard that using a collet puller will destroy the plated bullets. But using "the hammer" was out of the question with this many. I wanted to save the bullets and primed brass, but ditch the powder. I was prepared to lose the bullets though if need be.
So I pulled out the puller for .35 rifle bullets. I have an RCBS collet puller and a single stage press. I found if I install the puller really low, and ease the ram up to it, I could lock the collet and pull the bullet without damaging it. So I just wanted to pass on that pulling the plated bullets and reusing them is very doable. There is a mark left, but barely, as long as you are careful. I did damage a few that were stuck though.
With the .357, I was probably lucky in that the rounds were not crimped. A tight roll crimp would probably have resulted in a different outcome.
So I pulled out the puller for .35 rifle bullets. I have an RCBS collet puller and a single stage press. I found if I install the puller really low, and ease the ram up to it, I could lock the collet and pull the bullet without damaging it. So I just wanted to pass on that pulling the plated bullets and reusing them is very doable. There is a mark left, but barely, as long as you are careful. I did damage a few that were stuck though.
With the .357, I was probably lucky in that the rounds were not crimped. A tight roll crimp would probably have resulted in a different outcome.