My collet-type bullet puller (RCBS) pulls them fine, but crushes HPBT match bullets, even though I grab a hold of the bullet as low as possible.

I'll probably exchange it for a Pow'r Puller, the RCBS impact-operated hammer-shaped puller.

I would prefer using a collet-type puller (Forster is available to me) if I could find one that is kind to match bullets.

Perhaps you guys could advise on what works for you,
esp. for thin-skinned bullets that you want to reuse? Should I order the Forster collet, or the RCBS Pow'r Puller?

I bought the cheap hammer puller from midway, worked fine the times I needed it.


-DallanC

I'm with Dallan on this one. Besides, beating on the concrete car port relieves stress...

+1 for the inertia type puller from RCBS IF you don't have to pull lots of them. The weak point is the collet and O ring that holds the case head. I've found using an RCBS shellholder in place of the provided collet is better and precludes any failure, a common issue with the RCBS stock collet. Too, if used too vigorously, the plastic handle can break -- I'm on my third one, each replaced at no cost, postage prepaid by RCBS.

I believe Quinetics was the originator of this type of puller IIRC.

Mine is the Frankford Arsenal with a metal shaft. I like how they say you "tap" it to remove the bullet. I whale the heck out if it to get anything accomplished.

I use the hammer style and the collet type. I like the hammer type for stress relief too. I found with ..crimped,heavyneck tension, or set deep bullets the collet one has a hard time pulling them..that will scar up the sides.....just my .035 cents worth....Dave PS I put a small piece of cleaning swatch in the bottom of the hammer type to protect the nose of the bullet...

Being the cheapy I am I just use the case holder and with no die in I use a small to medium pilers and with the downward motion of the arn it helps tighten on the bullet I done this for years as i didn't like the mess of the bullet and power in the hammer type. Also for years i used a copper tubing flaring tool , the part thar fits around the tube, but it took to long. The pliers are faster and has minimal damage to the bullet. I have reuser the pulled bullets and can't tell the difference than new ones. No complaints from the recievers of the bullet either. They are nat as badly damaged as the pulled military ones I have bought.I can't tell if its mistakes or memory loss thats results in the pulling of bullets! With the price rising with every visit to the store you can't just S--- can them! Turkey season has opened here in the Wonderful State Of Wyoming and as soon as tehe snow quits falling I'll be going out and hopefully ambush on. With my abilities with a scatter gun I'll be using my .223. Anyone ever did a turk with one and what kind of damage did it do?

Put an ear plug in the bottom of an enertia hammer puller (Oops eraser) and that will protect the soft bullets from scaring...

Bushmaster wrote:

Put an ear plug in the bottom of an enertia hammer puller (Oops eraser) and that will protect the soft bullets from scaring...

Thats a real good idea bushy.. I will do that myself!!

All I ever use is my RCBS collet bullet puller and have never had a problem.

1895ss, are you mostly pulling heavily-built hunting bullets?

The problem I have is with thin-skinned hollow-point match bullets, with their light gilding copper over air up front, and over lead at the rear.
There is not much support where the collet grasps the bullet.

Bushmaster wrote:

Put an ear plug in the bottom of an enertia hammer puller (Oops eraser) and that will protect the soft bullets from scaring...

i have a small piece of foam rubber (old airfilter) that i use in my hammer to soften the blow, i also use the foam in a vibratory tumbler for a polish on the brass after a media tumble..

I use the hammer style 'cause I'm too tight to buy a collet type puller. Like the blokes have said a bit of foam in the end helps save the bullet.
I like to put pictures of our politicians, any party they are all the same, on the concrete and hammer away on them. Not as good as the real thing but good for some stress relief

twofifty wrote:

1895ss, are you mostly pulling heavily-built hunting bullets?

That's correct.....

Been using a Kinetic Hammer to pull bullets for years. Never had a problem with marking the bullet when it drops into the bottom of the "hammer". Takes a bit of effort to "pull" military 7.62mm, but it still does it.

One of my mates uses the plier method as described by sagebrushsniper. If you are careful you do minimal to no damage to the bullet. I'll stick to my kinetic hammer.

Cheers, Vince