I have 200 loaded rounds left over from a recent Prairie Dog Shoot and I am wondering if it is OK to pull the bullets (Inertia Hammer?) and dump the powder in order to develop a new load with a different powder.

This is for my 204 Ruger. I am having it rebarreled and I finally found 8lbs of Vhita Vhouri N140, which I wanted to load from day#1 but couldn't find it.

I guess my concern is will the primer become damaged by the Inertia Hammer.

I am only reloading a year now and I don't remember reading about this anywhere...do you fellas do this?

No, the primer will not be damaged. But, with that many rounds, I would suggest a collet puller rather than the inertia puller.

I've used a collet style on 270, 338 and 375 and wouldn't use anything else.

I'd recommend Hornady's puller.

I've pulled hundreds of bullets without mishap or marring of the bullets.

Get a collet puller and use the hammer for only a couple rounds. Best money you'll ever spend with that many rounds to take apart. I personally use the RCBS brand, which I've been ver satisfied with.

I've used an inertia puller for years, but after trying one of the RCBS collet pullers, I'll never go back. The collet pullers are way, way easier and don't damage the bullets and don't mingle the powder so there is a big mess.

There is no guarantee that VV will shoot any better.
Just pull 20 or 30 rounds to work up your load.
If the VV does not shoot worth a crap you have not ruined that much ammo.

Sidecutters and press for me -- two broken inertial pullers is enough I say...

I do remember seeing the bullet pullers and I will grab one, thanks guys.

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
Sidecutters and press for me -- two broken inertial pullers is enough I say...

I don't think he wants to trash 200 bullets.

Yes I want to relaload bullets

Craigster, there have been several studies done shooting what you call "trashed bullets"; none have shown any significant difference in either velocity or accuracy.

Try it yourself and see. Having done it myself, the only real issue with bullets pulled this way is a small crimp in the jacket right above insertion point, and that gets "ironed out" in the trip down the barrel.

A lot of projectiles are cannelured anyway, which makes for a very convenient place to use the side cutters.

Guys how does the tool actually remove the bullet?

Leopard
Most pullers have a small collet.
The RCBS has a pull collet that is drilled and reamed to fit the bullet. When you tighten the draw bolt it pulls the collet into the tapered bore. The tapered bore squeezes the collet fingers against the bullet. Once tight pull up on the handle of your press and the bullet will come out - usually.
Make sure the contact area between the bullet and the collet is free of oil.

Becareful how much force you use. Those .204 bullets are not very tough and you can squash them with the collet.

There is also a button or bellville washer type of puller. You buy one button per calibers. I have never used that type.

quote:

Originally posted by Leopardtrack:
Guys how does the tool actually remove the bullet?

Do you think the hammer is less Likely to damage my bullet?

I've pulled 204 bullets with my RCBS collet die. You'll see small marks on the bullet, but nothing I've ever had a problem with.

I'd rather have a mark on my bullet then spend hours hammering out 200 bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
Craigster, there have been several studies done shooting what you call "trashed bullets"; none have shown any significant difference in either velocity or accuracy.

Try it yourself and see. Having done it myself, the only real issue with bullets pulled this way is a small crimp in the jacket right above insertion point, and that gets "ironed out" in the trip down the barrel.

A lot of projectiles are cannelured anyway, which makes for a very convenient place to use the side cutters.

Ya know, I've heard that before, never tried it. Maybe I will in the near future.