Reloading Pulled Bullets

[Roneyj]

I have several hundred rounds of 9mm handloads that were given to me. The notes in the boxes have load data that is about 10%-15% over max loads in my manual. I fired a few rounds and can definitely tell the deference. I am thinking about pulling the bullets, scrapping the powder and reloading the cases. My question is, is it safe to reload bullets pulled with an RCBS bullet puller, the type uses collets and a press? I have pulled a few loads when I thought there were mistakes but, it left some decent marring on the bullet. Is it safe to reuse the pulled bullets even if they are scarred? Not overly concerned with accuracy. These loads would mostly be plinking rounds. Would you reuse the powder? Keep mind I am not 100% certain what the powder is.

Thanks

-jr

[NBC_LT]

I have safely pulled hundreds of rounds with inertia bullet pullers. Projectile re-use depends upon your crimp, as roll crimp can scrape/deform a soft projectile. I have reused pulled projectiles for 9mm, 5.56 X 7.62X51 - just be sure they are not scraped up too badly. But then again I'm more of an accuracy by volume type of shooter.

I'd shy away from reusing powder unless you know exactly what it is, you don't want to assume as a lot of powders look the same and can give very different results. I never go over the MAX loads, ever... this makes me boring - but I like my hands... wow - 10 to 15% over MAX!!!!

I'd take them off your hands if you were in Tucson, I have an open bolt weapon designed to shoot hot 9mm.

[Lobo2087]

Projectiles yes I would, powder no

[Isnake]

Projectiles yes I would, powder no

Yep skip the powder.

[Pale Rider]

Pulling the bullets can damage them depending on what tools you use. ALWAYS run them through a sizer to make sure they aren't out of round and not oversized. Then there isn't any reason not to use them. Obviously oversized or damaged, scarred up bullets can increase pressures.

[Elk34]

Use the hammer . That way the bullet doesn't get fu#ked up. If you have a lot to do, it might take 2 hammers.

[Intel6]

For handgun bullets at handgun distances, damage to a bullet from a collet puller doesn't make a difference. I purchased a large lot of pulled .40 cal 180 FMJ's from RMR and they clearly stated that there was a percentage that had serious deformations from the pulling process. I was getting these to load for competition shooting and figured that I could use the perfect ones for that and the others for practice. When I got them I sorted them out I found the bullets sorted out into three different groups; no markings or damage; slight markings from pulling; those that had what I would call "serious collet pulling damage" but were not "out of round" and could be reloaded.

I was curious if there was really a difference in how they would shoot so I loaded all three types of bullets in the same manner I load my match ammo. I clamped my great shooting .40 single stack into my Ransom Rest and shot multiple groups with the three types of loads at my normal distance of 25 yards. bottom line, they all basically shot the same. I saw no real difference in the groups between the three types of bullets. Because of these findings I shot the first two groups of bullets in matches and used the small group of damaged bullets for practice.

So yes, reload the bullets but DO NOT try and reuse the powder even if you think you know what it is.

[Elk34]

Hammers are faster. Ounce you get a rhythm going it's faster than a collet puller. I've pulled thousands of 9 ,40, 308. Used a lot of hammers. They are easier.

[theflatline]

Have to agree, reuse the bullets and toss the powder. Don't forget to resize the case before reloading, just remove the primer punch pin.

[muta4warrior]

Hammers are faster. Ounce you get a rhythm going it's faster than a collet puller. I've pulled thousands of 9 ,40, 308. Used a lot of hammers. They are easier.

I favor the RCBS collet puller myself, 5.56 is a horror story with the hammer (I have broken my fair share of hammers pulling down 5.56 ammo). I have a collet for all of the calibers I load for and set up properly, I can break down 100 rounds of 9mm in short order with spilling very little to no powder.

But yes as long as the case will grip the bullet well enough and jacket is not broken (plated) shoot the crap out of them, the steel or paper isn't going to know the difference.

[Flash]

I favor the RCBS collet puller myself, 5.56 is a horror story with the hammer (I have broken my fair share of hammers pulling down 5.56 ammo). I have a collet for all of the calibers I load for and set up properly, I can break down 100 rounds of 9mm in short order with spilling very little to no powder.

You're right. 5.56 bullets are too light to be easily pulled with an impact puller. I wouldn't even attempt to do it.

[Roneyj]

Thanks for the input. I have successfully pulled several 223 with the collet. So I have ordered a 9mm collet and will be working from home for the foreseeable future so might as well reload.

Thanks again!

[Elk34]

I favor the RCBS collet puller myself, 5.56 is a horror story with the hammer (I have broken my fair share of hammers pulling down 5.56 ammo). I have a collet for all of the calibers I load for and set up properly, I can break down 100 rounds of 9mm in short order with spilling very little to no powder.

You're right. 5.56 bullets are too light to be easily pulled with an impact puller. I wouldn't even attempt to do it.

Maybe to light for you, but I have no problem pulling 556, 308, 3006, what ever I want. Now I learned to glue a little piece of rubber in the end because the bullets start to drill a hole through the plastic. Then you need a solid concrete floor to strike the hammer on. Easy squeezy. O it also has to do with how you snap your wrist with the hammer. Its technique.

[tubfixer]

Have both but prefer the collet puller, once you get a good rythm going it's pretty quick

[Elk34]

Well 50/50.