Henry Rifle Forums

Has anyone else experienced an issue with resizing cases that have been through a hammer-shaped bullet-puller? For me, some of them seem to develop a slight bulge about a third of the way up from the base that prevent them from sliding into the chambers of my tightest revolver, which I test every round in.

I'm at the point now where I just recover the bullet, pour the powder back into the container, pop out the unused primer and toss the case.

I never had that problem using the hammer style puller. I never really liked it so I switched to a collet type puller for using in my loading press. I was then very happy to give the hammer type away. The collet type is the best in my opinion. Mine is a Forster-Appelt die type for use in standard 7/8X14 thread loading press. I have collets for all the calibers I shoot. Not sure if Forster is still in business but I believe RCBS makes a collet type puller.

bandit1250 wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 5:37 am

I never really liked it so I switched to a collet type puller for using in my loading press .

same here

Ive used the hammer type for years and still do. I’ve never had that issue. Cant you run the case through the sizing die again?

bandit1250 wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 5:37 am

I never had that problem using the hammer style puller. I never really liked it so I switched to a collet type puller for using in my loading press. I was then very happy to give the hammer type away. The collet type is the best in my opinion. Mine is a Forster-Appelt die type for use in standard 7/8X14 thread loading press. I have collets for all the calibers I shoot. Not sure if Forster is still in business but I believe RCBS makes a collet type puller.

I’m in the same boat as bandit other than I use the RCBS collet puller. Works great and does not deform the lead tip on the pulled bullet like the hammer style can. Forster is still in business but I believe they were bought out by Lyman (maybe?). But to the original question when using my hammer puller I never had an issue with a case bulge.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 9:20 am

Cant you run the case through the sizing die again?

Yeah, the issue crops up after I do that. Not sure what the deal is, but I'm determined to get to the bottom of it. It has to be a case of operator error.

ditchparrot wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 11:57 am

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 9:20 am

Cant you run the case through the sizing die again?

Yeah, the issue crops up after I do that. Not sure what the deal is, but I'm determined to get to the bottom of it. It has to be a case of operator error.

Couple of thoughts.
Not using enough case lube during sizing?
Maybe some residual crimp is getting in the way of the sizing die? Try a slight amount of case mouth expansion before sizing.

Mags wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 12:36 pm

Couple of thoughts.
Not using enough case lube during sizing?
Maybe some residual crimp is getting in the way of the sizing die? Try a slight amount of case mouth expansion before sizing.

You might be onto something there, Mags. I am flaring the mouth just a tad and lubing before the initial resizing, but I haven't been doing either prior to the re-resizing after the hammer. I'll try that -- thanks!

ditchparrot wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 2:20 pm

Mags wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 12:36 pm

Couple of thoughts.
Not using enough case lube during sizing?
Maybe some residual crimp is getting in the way of the sizing die? Try a slight amount of case mouth expansion before sizing.

You might be onto something there, Mags. I am flaring the mouth just a tad and lubing before the initial resizing, but I haven't been doing either prior to the re-resizing after the hammer. I'll try that -- thanks!

You're welcome. Let us know how that goes.

You mentioned revolver so Im assuming your reloading pistol cases. Are you making sure your resizing die is screwed all the way down and touching the face of the shell holder. I run mine slightly past touching the face so you get a caming action with your press handle. Also I have found it much easier to use Carbide Sizing dies when doing pistol cases. That eliminates the need for any kind of lube. Lubing cases just adds more work in my opinion as the lube needs to be removed.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Fri May 17, 2024 9:24 am

You mentioned revolver so Im assuming your reloading pistol cases. Are you making sure your resizing die is screwed all the way down and touching the face of the shell holder. I run mine slightly past touching the face so you get a caming action with your press handle. Also I have found it much easier to use Carbide Sizing dies when doing pistol cases. That eliminates the need for any kind of lube. Lubing cases just adds more work in my opinion as the lube needs to be removed.

Good points, Al -- thanks!

I don't see a reference as to which cartridge you are loading, but for some, there are different size bullets that are intended for different firearms. The 45 Colt is the easiest reference here. If you set up your dies and resized some typical brass for a 45 Colt, flared the case mouth a bit, and then loaded bullets that were .454" diameter, you'd get them to seat. but it would expand the brass a bit in the process. Then, if you used an inertial puller (hammer type) it would leave that brass still slightly expanded from the larger diameter bullet.
I'd think that it would be a good practice to full length resize any case that you pull bullets from. You can take the decapping pin out and just leave that primer in place, but since the brass has been expanded slightly while seating a bullet, resizing gets everything back to the same starting point.

The .44 and the .357 cartridges also have larger diameter bullets, but it's less common with those.

I always f/l resize the case after using a hammer type bullet puller. I have been under the impression that is a required step after pulling a bullet.

Hatchdog wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 9:25 am

bandit1250 wrote: ↑

Thu May 16, 2024 5:37 am

I never had that problem using the hammer style puller. I never really liked it so I switched to a collet type puller for using in my loading press. I was then very happy to give the hammer type away. The collet type is the best in my opinion. Mine is a Forster-Appelt die type for use in standard 7/8X14 thread loading press. I have collets for all the calibers I shoot. Not sure if Forster is still in business but I believe RCBS makes a collet type puller.

I’m in the same boat as bandit other than I use the RCBS collet puller. Works great and does not deform the lead tip on the pulled bullet like the hammer style can. Forster is still in business but I believe they were bought out by Lyman (maybe?). But to the original question when using my hammer puller I never had an issue with a case bulge.

If you put a piece of foam in the hammer pulller nose it will never deform a bullet.

The Happy Kaboomer wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 05, 2024 11:10 pm

If you put a piece of foam in the hammer pulller nose it will never deform a bullet.

I use a foam ear plug. Sometimes the powder will adhere to the ear plug, but not enough to worry about.
Works well, and is almost the perfect size for the ID of the kinetic puller.