Understanding Bullet Pullers: A Guide for Reloaders
In the world of ammunition reloading, precision and safety are paramount. Mistakes—whether it’s the wrong powder charge, seating depth, or projectile—are not uncommon, especially for beginners. That’s where bullet pullers come into play. These essential tools allow reloaders to disassemble a round safely and recover components for reuse.
This article will walk through the basics of bullet pulling – what it is, when it’s necessary, and how to do it safely and effectively. Whether you’re correcting a mistake or salvaging components, we’ll cover the key tools involved.
What Is a Bullet Puller?
A bullet puller is a tool used to remove a bullet from a loaded cartridge. It helps salvage cases, bullets, and sometimes even powder, reducing waste and saving money. There are two main types of bullet pullers:
Inertia Bullet Pullers
These resemble a hammer and use kinetic energy to extract the bullet. The cartridge is placed in a collet inside the puller, which is then struck against a hard surface. The sudden stop causes the bullet to dislodge and fall into the chamber of the tool.
- Pros: Simple to use, affordable, compatible with most calibers.
- Cons: Can be noisy. Not as fast as a collet bullet puller.
RCBS’s Pow’R Pull Kit includes everything you’d need to remove bullets from your cases. The kit includes the hammer style handle and 3-case holding chucks that fit small cartridges from 5.7x28mm and .22 Hornet all the way up to the large Winchester Short Mag or Remington Ultra Magnum cartridges. RCBS also sells replacement small, standard and magnum case chucks in case you misplace yours.
Collet (Cam-Lock) Bullet Pullers
These dedicated bullet pullers resemble a reloading die with 7/8”-14 threads and mount – like a die – on your reloading press. They use a collet to grip the bullet. The press handle is then used to pull the case down, leaving the bullet behind.
- Pros: Precise and clean; ideal for high volumes; gentle on bullets.
- Cons: More expensive; requires caliber-specific collets.
RCBS’s standard bullet puller is a great tool to get the job done. Remember, you’ll need to purchase a collet or collets for the cartridge/cartridges you’re intending to use. Collets are caliber-sized for a family of cartridges, so when pulling 6.5 Creedmoor bullets for example you’d select a 6.5MM collet, and when pulling bullets from a 308 Winchester or 300 Winchester Magnum you’d select a .30/7.35MM collet.
For handloaders using large diameter cartridges like 50 BMG or 416 Barrett, RCBS also offers a 1 ½”-12 bullet puller and collet system for use in larger presses like our AmmoMaster.
Why Use a Bullet Puller?
Bullet pullers are indispensable for several reasons:
- Correcting mistakes: Overcharged rounds, improper bullet seating, or using the wrong bullet.
- Component recovery: Salvaging rare or expensive components.
- Tuning loads: Reloaders developing custom loads often pull bullets during testing and refinement.
Tips for Effective Use
- Wear safety glasses when using an inertia puller.
- Check components carefully before reuse, especially powder and primers.
- Never attempt to pull bullets from rimfire cartridges like 22LR
Final thoughts
Whether you’re an experienced handloader or a newcomer to reloading, a bullet puller is a must-have tool in your bench arsenal. By allowing you to reverse mistakes and fine-tune your ammunition, it enhances both safety and efficiency in the reloading process.
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