Pulling crimped bullets?

[RolandtheHeadless]

I have loaded some .300 WM rounds that turn out to be too hot. Would like to pull the bullets, to save the bullets and cases. The bullets are crimped into the cannelure with a Lee Factory Crimp die.

I have an RCBS bullet-puller die, but it can't get enough purchase to pull the bullets.

If I can't pull the bullets, what is a safe way to dispose of loaded rounds? I don't want to leave too-hot cartridges lying around.

 

[Pheroze]

I crimp all my cartridges. I have had to pull some apart after finding the right load. I have always used an inertia puller. it sometimes takes a few thumps but the cartridge always comes apart.

 

[boldo 42]

Inertia bullet remover will work , but it will take a bit longer depending on how heavy the crimp is.

 

[Eddie P]

I've pulled ex military bullets, the ones glued in, and crimped ones. With an inertia puller.

Read about the correct technique, it does make life easier.

Just don't do it on the carpet, you'll get little melted patches.

 

[greyfox]

Inertia, but the bullets, depending on what you're pulling, may have the noses deformed. Still good to work up loads.

How many of the "too hot" loads do you have to pull the bullets on?

Now to SAFELY dispose of the rounds, pull the bullets, dump the powder, soak (water or dish soap mix - we used to use oil but that's not good in a landfill......), then, just to be extras sure, when I have cases to trash (split necks, etc,,) I take pliers and crush them...

 

[Eddie P]

I've got some foam in the bottom of my "hammer" to help protect the tips. Anything will do, just cut to size and stuff inside.

 

[greyfox]

I've got a buffer in there also, but soft nose bullets are still slightly deformed, Not too bad, but for long range accuracy, it changes the flight of the round by disrupting the airflow. Solids or tipped bullets shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Bert the Turtle]

When I want to dispose of ammo, I just throw it in the burn barrel. May not be appropriate if you live in town.

 

[JimP]

If you want to pull the bullets with no problems get yourself a Collet Bullet Puller and the proper Collet to pull them.

As for military stuff that is cemented into the case just use your bullet seating die and push the bullet into the case slightly. This will break the cement holding it in place and then pull the bullet.

 

[RolandtheHeadless]

Yes, I have an RCBS collet bullet puller die. It can't get enough grip.

 

[700xcr]

http://grip-n-pull.com/

 

[Bren7X64]

I've placed the cartridges in the shellholder, pushed them up through the press and gripped the bullet on the top of the press with sidecutters and pulled them.

Quick and easy and the bullets can usually be used again (at least for plinking).

 

[Ray B]

The inertia bullet puller will work. With a 300 mag the bullet may be a 180 gr so you may get enough momentum going in the bullet to start it out. I've tried it with light bullets, such as 55 grain .224 bullets and it takes several whacks to get them to move. If the problem is the crimp you might use the inertia puller to get the bullet cannelure to move past the crimp, then your collet may get enough grip to pull it the rest of the way out.

 

[D.M.V]

Pulling crimped bullets is a pain in the ass

 

[IronCowboy]

Momentum type puller. Get a brick, 3 foam ear plugs, a jug of lemonade, and get to whacking (1 ear plug is to drop in the bottom of the puller to protect your tips).

 

[Ridgewalker]

I'll have to agree with 700xcr...Grip-n-pull. I've used inertia, collet and grip-n-pull.

 

[IronCowboy]

If you can't grab it with the collet puller, most likely you can't get a grip with the grip-n-pull without damaging the bullet either. Getting them started with the momentum puller then finishing with the others can work, but it's an extra step.

I have all 3, use all 3, but most often, it's easy enough just to use the hammer type. I've pulled as small as 17grn HMR and 20grn 17WSM with momentum hammers - heavier pills go faster, but even the light ones WILL come out.

 

[Grumulkin]

Yes, I have an RCBS collet bullet puller die. It can't get enough grip.

Maybe you need to crank it down a bit more? I used the RCBS collet bullet puller not too long ago to remove the glued in crimped bullets in some military 308 Winchester cases and it wasn't hard.

 

[sestoppelman]

If you want to pull the bullets with no problems get yourself a Collet Bullet Puller and the proper Collet to pull them.

As for military stuff that is cemented into the case just use your bullet seating die and push the bullet into the case slightly. This will break the cement holding it in place and then pull the bullet.

This! Seat them in deeper to "pop" them off the crimp. Then proceed with the puller. Easy pezy.

 

[Desperatezulu]

If I can't pull the bullets, what is a safe way to dispose of loaded rounds? I don't want to leave too-hot cartridges lying around.

Saw the case off just below the shoulder with a hacksaw .