Need help with Hornady bullet puller.

bakerboy

bakerboy

New member
I've smashed the first 6 bullets and do not see how this is going to work, so please some suggestions would be appreciated. I'm using Hornady collet # 9 listed as .338 / .358 cal. on WWB 9mm (.354 on my mic). The lever will not lower with the bullet fully inserted into the collet. If I insert the bullet partially into the collet, I am able to lower the lever and pull the bullet but......... the bullet is deformed. Are the bullets too soft, or do I need a larger collet? I'm leaning toward a larger collet as I do not see any setup changes which would help with this. Thanks , bakerboy.
 
I got it working. None of the following is in the Hornady instructions. Prior to locking the adjustable position of the collet inside the die, insert a loaded bullet into the collet, and then position the collet inside the die until the locking lever comes down suitably.
 
I use two hands when I pull bullets. One hand on the lever of the bullet puller, the other on the handle of the press. I never completely lock the bullet puller on to the bullet. I apply just enough pressure with the bullet puller handle to get the bullet out while working the press handle. If I slip off the bullet, I just grab it a little harder. By unscrewing the bullet puller, I've even pulled bullets of a caliber larger than the collet. Best thing I ever bought. Had a Kinetic bullet puller. Worked like crap, powder all over the place and it broke after about five hits. I've pulled hundreds of bullet with the Hornady with no problems. Unless you're shooting competition, a slight mark on the bullet means zero (as far a accuracy). As a test, one guy cut a hunk off a bullet with a pair of side cutters and although not recommended, the bullets still shot fine.
 
BB, I have collets for my .204s and .223s and adjust them where the collet stops on the cartridge case, without going over the case neck...all it requires is a very slight amount of pressure on the lever to secure the bullet sufficiently for the ram/handle to withdraw the case from the bullet...and it very seldom leaves a mark on the bullet that is significant... No accuracy problems when reseated...

I don't pull a bunch of bullets, usually only when I've worked up a series of ten and shoot five of them during the load test...Then I pull the remaining sets of five and use them to develop even better loads with the seating adjustments..using the pulled bullets..

Bill
 
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