Thread: Pullin' boolets, which way is better?

I've got some rounds to tear apart and re-work due to low powder charges and am wondering which method is best for PLATED bullets; the kinetic 'hammer' style or the press mounted style.

The crimp is very light but the plating, I've learned, is pretty fragile. I don't mind just tearing out the projectiles if it comes to it, the whole lot would come to about $1.30 in value so it's not a great loss.

with plated I would go with the Kentic Hammer. Only way I ever pull boolets. Sometimes it amazes me that thing doesn't break I have to wack it so hard.

I used to use a kinetic puller but found it to be slow and frustrating. After I broke the head off my last one I just tossed it in the trash and bought a Forster Collet type puller. It grips the bullet about 356 degrees (just guessing as there are 4 small slots to allow the collet to expand or contract) and I've found it to be fairly gentle to all bullets I've pulled. I just tighten it enough to grip the bullet, not deform it. Also have to make sure there is no lube on either the bullet or in the collet but a quick swab with Rubbing Alcohol takes care of that.

A collet type puller does require a caliber specific collet but they're fairly inexpensive. The setup will last forever and is, in my opinion, far easier than the kinetic "Whack a Mole" bullet pullers that have to be disassembled and emptied after every bullet is pulled.

My kinetic puller worked well with plated bullets. As deadshot2 made clear, they do have their disadvantages.

I just disassembled 49 30-06 rounds last night with an RCBS kinetic hammer. It all worked fine, but I beat on that block of wood enough to cause a big dent! I'm sure it would have been faster is I had the use of a collet puller, but I don't.
I usually don't have to pull a quantity like this apart, but my new rifle has a tighter chamber than my old one. It was either give the ammo to my nephew, who owns my old rifle, or whack them apart. Once I checked the price on a box of Partitions, I gladly started whacking. Geez! $40 for a box!

Most pull pistol round with kinetic pullers and rifle rounds with collets.

Well I couldn't find a collet puller at either store I stopped in at, found the collets but not the actual die they fit in. Grabbed a hammer and pounded out 60 rounds in an hour. The family hates it but at least I'll recover the components.