Thread: Bullet pulling related question

Hi ive just brought a rcbs collet puller from Reloading direct (workshop innovation) with associated collets. I pulled 60 odd rounds that were over pressure in my 260 which has gained a personality over time. I have pulled all the bullets and removed 99% of the powder but.................... there are about 50 that have powder stuck in the flash hole. Any suggestions to get it out. I dont have an air compressor. I yes i need to get it out.

What about something like a razor brush or fine paint brush with heavy bristles and flick them out. Obviously you dont want to decap them ( which is what I would do )

Originally Posted by johnd

What about something like a razor brush or fine paint brush with heavy bristles and flick them out. Obviously you dont want to decap them ( which is what I would do )

Cheers i think decapping them may be to hard. may have to subtract powder from new load. cheers.

You can decap them. Just do it gently and carefully.

Originally Posted by Mauser308

So you have one grain of powder jammed in the flash hole of a couple of primed cases?

yes one or two kernals of powder in 45 odd cases of 260 rem.

Originally Posted by dogmatix

You can decap them. Just do it gently and carefully.

Thats to scary for me. I can see how many kernals there are. ill just take the same ammount of each charge out. im anal.

Neck tension will be all over the show. Best to resize...

Originally Posted by Tim Dicko

Thats to scary for me. I can see how many kernals there are. ill just take the same ammount of each charge out. im anal.

A few kernels of powder will not make the slightest bit of difference in a load of powder for a 260 it is well within the margin of error of your powder weighing
device, And your neck tension is probably not messed up the brass will spring back after the bullet was pulled, Don't worry your gun is built 50% stronger than
needed to protect nitwits you can totally destroy a case in the chamber and not hurt yourself I have seen it happen a few times.

Originally Posted by hamsav

Yeah ,but ,this sort of "anal" probly means you will eventually retire from reloading with all your fingers and face intact ......apart from maybe mashing a finger or two in the press

I hope i keep my face and fingers intact. I have definitely had a coordination issue between my left and right hand and my brain once. Mashed my fingers in the press and it was average to say the least.

Originally Posted by JaSa

Neck tension will be all over the show. Best to resize...

Bugger. If i had a expander mandel that could work. i could run a button through safely on a die with out decapper?

Originally Posted by shooternz

A few kernels of powder will not make the slightest bit of difference in a load of powder for a 260 it is well within the margin of error of your powder weighing
device, And your neck tension is probably not messed up the brass will spring back after the bullet was pulled, Don't worry your gun is built 50% stronger than
needed to protect nitwits you can totally destroy a case in the chamber and not hurt yourself I have seen it happen a few times.

Thanks for the reassurance. Im not worried about pressure or anything as im working up a new load. Ill just reload them and get an idea if the rifle likes the new projectiles. Ill get the powder as perfect as possible. so that i can sleep at night. cheers.

@Tim Dicko

A small, stiff paint brush chucked up in a power drill. You CAN of course also just clean the holes by hand using a watchmakers screwdriver of right size. Unless you use a hammer, this will NOT set off the primer compound as this is shielded behind the brass anvil.

Brush/drill trick is also good for cleaning out primer pockets.

Tap the pulled brass smartly on its side on the bench. This usually dislodges any stuck kernels.

Am I being too simple when I suggest that you chamber the cases and fire them.......The primer going off will dislodge/burn the powder.......then deprime and resize.

Greetings All,
Assuming that the last few pesky kernels of powder actually need to be removed may I suggest a simple and safe method. Chamber the empty cases and pull the trigger. Job done. No fingers or eyes will be harmed. If you are doing this at home put the muzzle in a cardboard box to keep the din down but preferably do it at the range. The dead cap can be removed with a punch and base set, neck sizing or full length sizing. Remember to clean the barrel as it will be dirty.
Regards Grandpamac.