Hornady Bullet Puller - Problems Using

[Phil3]

I just received a Hornady Cam-Lock bullet puller and tried using it in my Forster Co-Ax press with 223 Remington rounds. I am probably doing something wrong, but need some assistance.

How does one ensure the cartridge is raised just far enough into the collet, but not so far where the case is grabbed? You can peer up in there while trying to hold the press handle still and simultaneously lower the bullet puller lever, but this can't be right. I have the collet adjusted so that when the cartridge is stopped when the case edge (top of neck) hits the outside of the collet, which should eliminate the need to look at the case/collet fit each time. Still, on two cases, I managed to mash the neck edge, making it impossible to pull the bullet, since I effectively put a super-strong crimp on the case neck edge. On another note, are you supposed to crank the Hornady tool handle all the way down?

I got a couple of bullets out, but they are resistant. These rounds have a canneleure on the bullet, would that make them harder to pull out? I used a die to push the bullet in a bit to break any seal, and that seemed to help a bit.

Would appreciate any guidance.

[Divernhunter]

If the ammo is mil surplus then they can just be hard to pull. On mil surplus it often helps to push the bullet back some(little) to break the seal. Then they can still be hard to pull. That is why I usually just pull them at 3000+FPS out the barrel then reload them. It is faster and usually more fun.

[BigBronco]

I just had a friend give me his. I hope this is not a clue as to how well they work.