Impact Puller and scale help

[jak77]

For some reason I cant get my frankford arsenal (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=215517) bullet puller to pull my bullets. Im setting up my single stage to get the correct seating depth, and I need to pull the bullets from the cases that I used to get a correct OAL. Stupid puller wont pull them out. They are 200 gr LSWC if that helps or is the reason.

Also, Im FED UP with this stupid Lee safety scale that came with my kit. Its a pain in the *** to zero and weigh anything out on. Any recommendations for some cheap electronic scales. Im not looking to spend more than around $20-30. Let me know what scales you guys are using to weigh out your charges. Id also prefer if it was something I can pick up from a local store like harbor freight or something.

Ok Im going to bed now, sick of trying to figure out that stupid scale. Hope you guys can gimme some good responses for when I wake up. Thanks!

[JacobCR03]

I have one of the kinetic pullers like yours, and have to hit something solid with it much harder than I thought a piece of plastic could take in order to get a crimped bullet out. I normally have to give it a few good whacks to get it to work.

[Rwnielsen]

If you get tired or frustrated for any reason, walk away from your reloading bench and do something else.

I smack my bullet puller on a 5# lead weight from a weight belt (with a towel over it) for ACP's and use a collett type puller for roll crimps and rifle

[Mrskylinetou]

I had to go outside and really hit the soilid concret with mine. I figured it would only last a hundred rounds pulled. I have the rcbs puller, it worked but it took 15 super hard hits. I tired it on the carpet, on the reload bench, on a cookie sheet on the floor, nothing worked till I hit it on the concrete.

I have an rcbs balance scale that I know works I'll give it to u if u want it.

[CSACANNONEER]

If your bullets are crimped or sealed, you might want to break the seal by seating them a little deeper before putting them in your puller.

As fas as recommending a CHEAP electronic balance, I'd recommend not getting one. IMHO, the first scale you need is a decent analog scale. Once you have that, then you can get a high quality electronic one. If you insist on buying a cheap electronic scale, it'll show everyone how much you value your life and well being. BTW, you need to understand that there are precautions one should take when using an electronic balance. NEVER have a phone or cel phone close to it. Always use something to insulate your scale from the fluctuating household currents. I prefer a 9V battery power scale that I use a giant 9V battery from a helicopter ELT. But, when I use my Denver Instrument balance, I use a UPS.

[tujungatoes]

as stated previously you need to find something very solid to whack that hammer puller on. and give it a serious swing, you aren't gonna break it.

...yeah the lee safety scale is generally considered to be caca. I'd toss it, and take Mrskylinetou up on that offer of free scale. I have an rcbs 505 and it's always worked well. My personal advice is stay away from cheap digital scales. for the same reason that lee scale was cheap. cause they suck!

[Mrskylinetou]

It is an rcbs 505. Like I said I'll give it to u as long as yr gonna use it, it was given to be before I bought my hornaday trickler so I'll just pay it forward

[Fyathyrio]

While it's not in your stated price range, Brian Enos has a nice one for not a whole lot of cash. Lots of features, zeros well, holds zero pretty good and has been nice and consistent for me.

For the bullet puller, I just whack it on a chunk of 4x4 next to my bench...works fine.

[fsx]

Frankford Arsenal Bullet pullers works well, but it does take quite a few hits on wood.

if you raise your budget to 40 dollars, you can get a Frankford Arsenal digital scale on midway usa. I am currently using RCBS 502 and it works very well. I was fed up by the crappy lee scale and decide to try something else.

[Dubious_Beans]

I had to go outside and really hit the soilid concret with mine. I figured it would only last a hundred rounds pulled. I have the rcbs puller, it worked but it took 15 super hard hits. I tired it on the carpet, on the reload bench, on a cookie sheet on the floor, nothing worked till I hit it on the concrete.

Same here. I've got the RCBS and it takes a dozen good solid whacks on a concrete floor to make it work. At first I tried it on a tree stump, but after about 50 whacks I moved to concrete floor and that worked.

Whack it hard!

[Fishslayer]

The kinetic puller works best on a hard, solid surface. I use the concrete floor of my garage/man cave. Many light to moderate taps work better than one slamming blow. And you won't wind up with a broken puller. Ask how I know...

Make sure the cap is tight on the puller. A loose cap can absorb energy. Check it every couple blows or so. I actually loosen and retighten if a bullet is being real stubborn.

The Lee scale is touchy but VERY accurate when set up correctly. I have a Lyman 1500 digital as well. Pricey & accurate, but with it's own set of quirks.

[at_liberty]

I believe it is speed and not force that makes an inertial puller work. With that in mind I use a lot of wrist motion and usually get the bullet free in three whacks on end grain 4x4 fence post stock. If the bullet is too stubborn, I would have to suspect over crimping. That kind of resistance should not be routine.

As far as scales, the Lee scales work perfectly, but a lot of people don't have the patience to develop any skill with it. It is absolutely no different in principle or any less accurate than any other brand or price of balance beam. I don't prefer it either for routine weighing, but that is an issue with balance beams in general, preferring the speed of a digital.

I have a Frankford Arsenal digital and a PACT at almost three times as much, including an AC power supply on the PACT. All this internet wisdom undermined my confidence in the Frankford, but it is just as good as the PACT, which is the same as the RCBS 750 except black. If I was doing it over, I probably would buy a Hornady digital so I had a better sense of warranty support and customer service. I say Hornady because they have inexpensive models that are presented as providing the accuracy needed for reloading (+-.1 gr).

The PACT was bought to get an AC power adapter option, but now I find I have to buy a power supply with line conditioning, so an unstable current doesn't effect the scale reading. There seems to be no end to the reloading money pit.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Get a small anvil, or steel block.

I have a few laying around, and they work excellent for the kinetic puller.

It is not so much about the force, as much as that it must hit on solid, immovable, object to transfer the kenetiv energy back to seperating of the boolit parts.

Get a steel block, and watch how easy it really is. (Concrete is an alternative, but it still doesn't work as well as a steel block).

In Christ: Raymond

[jak77]

Thank you everyone for the responses! I will try to smack my bullet puller on the concrete of the garage and see if that works.

As for the scale, it just takes me FOREVER to zero and then its hard to get a charge set up. If theres any tricks that I dont know about, plz tell me. CSACANNONEER, you are right, I shouldnt trust my life to a cheapo scale, but honestly, I dont trust my LEE scale at the moment and wanted something to check it with. But I guess the Lee scale is accurate.

Mrskylinetou, that is very generous of you and I will gladly take you up on your offer. I can assure you I will put it to use for a long time. Where are you located?

[Eargasm]

I've been having the same problems. I noticed that no one recommended buying a press-mounted puller for ~$20+collet. Are they not as good as their reviews on midway/cabela's?

I also had difficulty using the Lee scale (couldn't get it to hold a zero). Do the RCBS 501 and 505s have a metal base? Is their construction all-metal?