RCBS collet puller ?

[Downwindtracker2]

I picked up a RCBS collet puller at a gunshow without instuctions.
I pulled 10 bullets with it,I had forgotten to mark which load was which. But it was ackward,there must be a proper way of setting it up? It can't be this slow.

[Rocky Raab]

I'll assume you have the correct insert for the caliber (you need a different insert for every bullet diameter).

Run the die body into the press until it protrudes a short way into the press window - a quarter inch or so. Lock it with the hex nut.

Now run the top handle down until the insert just touches the die body and back it out a half turn. You want the insert to be just slightly free of the die body.

Insert a loaded round into the correct shellholder and run it up until the bullet slides into the insert all the way to the neck of the case. Now turn down the top handle until it gets snug. You don't need to lean on it. Tighten just until the bullet pulls free when you lower the ram again.

Too much and you damage the bullet, too little and the bullet stays in the case. You'll get a feel for it in a try or two, but the less tightening the better.

Dumup the powder, set the case asiee and then loosen the top handle. The bullet should drop into your hand.

Repeat. You should be able to pull a dozen or so a minute.

Notes: Never store the puller with the insert tightened in place or you'll distort the jaws permanently.

[BlueMoon]

Rocky's instructions sound just like my Forster bullet puller. Have to buy a collet for each caliber and if the used one you bought had a collet already in it, make sure it's not damaged or sprung in some way. After loosening the top handle to let bullet drop, I sometimes have to tap the top of mine with a gunsmith hammer to get the bullet to drop in my hand. BM

Bill

[Rocky Raab]

Blue Moon, here's something you can try to relax those collett fingers a bit...

Take the collett out completely and stick a pulled bullet into the jaws. Give the bullet a good wiggle to loosen the jaws a bit.

Always store colletts removed from the puller die body to avoid getting them shoved into the die accidentally.

BTW, I'm going to run a lengthy test in the spring (when my range opens again) to see whether pulled bullets are less accurate than virgin ones. My premise is that the slight damage caused by either collett or kinetic pullers has little or no effect on the bullets' accuracy. We'll see.

[Sore Shoulder]

I have one as well, and it works sweet....it seems like there must be something not right if its taking you a long time to pull a bullet. I think I still have the instructions to mine, as well as a couple extra collets. What size do you need?

[Downwindtracker2]

Thanks ,the dropping into my hand part ,was the part that wasn't working.I guess it's a feel.It came with the 308,I bought the other sizes that I use.Hopefully I don't have to use them,too often

[cemerson]

I have an RCBS, I love it. It's far better than a kinetic in that you don't damage the bullet's tip. And as far as it's affecting the bullet's accuracy. I just don't see it. All the bullets that I have shot that I have pulled with the collet puller have shot just fine. I can't think of a better tool for salvaging components. It's not messy, it does minimal damage, and it's far better for use in volume salvage operations. The kinetic is fine for one or two pulls but if you're looking at 10, 20, or more the collet puller is a sweet tool to have.

Chet.