Can large bore lead match bullets be pulled without damage?

[JMP]

Hello, I have been working on developing loads with a very large (450gr) high quality bullet that I haven't used.

I am using 50 BMG RWS primers and a lot of powder, so it is rather expensive to waste; therefore, I did not shoot many of my rounds when I took them to the range as soon as I realized that the load wasn't suitable. However, as this needs a fair amount of neck tension, I found to pull the bullets, the collet leaves a ring dent, so they will no longer be suitable as match quality as I need consistency for an extremely long range.

The bullets are $2.25 each, so it is rather unfortunate. I don't know of a more suitable way unless I were to bring a press to the range and mount it on a trailer hitch, but that has its own logistical problems. The other thing that I should have done was to be more organized in reusing some loads where I just needed to seat further; however, I usually like to try various seating depths in one trip.

Are there better techniques to disassemble a cartridge to avoid this when it comes to these jacketed lead bullets?

I am open to suggestions, and I have made this thread to help others avoid my mistake.

Here is a photo of the marks on the two bullets on the left.

[LynnJr]

JMP
If your just doing load work up at 100 or 200 yards it won't make much difference.
And on your seating depth only go in one direction shorter.

[JMP]

Lynn, I did reuse them for short distance work up in between range trips, but these are leftover. One problem is that I switched powder and primer to get what I wanted. More, I am wondering if there is something I could do differently to avoid this damage. Or, does mere seating and pulling make one avoid reusing lead bullets for accuracy even without this obvious damage? Normally, in small bullets, I'll just complete a group and not pull, but in this big bullet, it's taxing on both the wallet and body to shoot excessive amounts.

[pacrat]

An inertia, rather than collet puller would work. If you have the reamer for your chamber you could ream a short stub of bar stock. Part it off at the shoulder/neck junction and attach a perpindicular handle.

Repeated bench beating could set back your case shoulder though.

Another though would be a product to cushion the contact between collet and bullet. Something like "Dip_It" or "Liquid Tape" that you could easily peel of the bullet after pulling with the collet.

Just a couple of thoughts.

[Whiterabbit]

no way would a cushion work. Nor a homemade impact puller if there is as much tension as implied.

I think you are stuck sir. If I were in your shoes I would give a homemade impact the old college try, but surprised if it worked.

One thing that HAS worked for me is clamping the bullet in soft jaws and working the brass back and forth very slowly. takes about 15-30 min per round. This leaves the bullet unmarred, but only to the eye. I can't speak to out of roundness via micrometer, I've never measured. Just 'looks' unmolested. And to be honest I was working with a steel core bullet so I have no idea if the mica got damaged (I assume that's what the filler is). Also of course you destroy your brass though you could save the powder and primer, and just resize the brass for plinker rounds.

[JMP]

Yeah, it's not really a problem I have going foward as I am not anticipating using other lead bullets for the time being. Rather, I was just retrospectively wondering if folks have found an instrument or method that works. It's after the fact, they have been pulled, so there is no sense trying to build a giant intertia puller at this point as I don't think it would be that effective without breaking my slab. The effected bullets will just be used for bore warming or casual blasting as they are fine for shorter range use still. Still, if anyone does have a good method, it would be good to hear.

[Whiterabbit]

well, I've done m33 with softjaws on the bullet and working the case back and forth to bell it till the bullet came out.

[JMP]

yes, I know it can be done, but I don't want to spent too much time even if the bullets are rather expensive. My fear is that even if there is no visible mark, they still may lose consistency just getting seated and pulled. As you can see, I am pretty careful in the seating as to not damage the jacket. When I pull solids, there is no visible damage, but I still mark the tips with the Sharpie to know that they may not be perfect in flight.

[eric n]

Drill a hole in a piece of delrin or uhmw just smaller then the diameter of ogive and shove the bullet in, then slowly work it in different angles to pry it out? Idk.