pulling bullets in M2 .30 cal

[Hefights]

He's intending to use the primed cases to put a better bullet in. I guess if the cases are in reasonable shape and not warped by pulling, you could make more accurate loads with better quality bullets and maybe more accurate and/or different powder charge.

But looking at OP I have another question. Given the challenges discussed, would you use a Dillon 550 to pull the bullets? I woudn't use mine for that.

[Parashooter]

I hope you realize that plenty of Garand matches have been won with GI M2 ball ammunition. With a good M1 rifle, a competent shooter can usually keep 'em in the 3.5 MOA 10-ring of the SR target used in such matches conducted under CMP rules. Even at the nationals, these events are often won on points, not X's.

[Johnny in Texas]

I agree that shooting them out is best and most fun way to remove them unless you need the powder and primers.
I shoot a lot of M2 ball and accuracy at least 2.5 MOA or better is common with USGI LC 54, SL 56 LC 66 LC 67 LC72
I use a Winchester Model 70 bedded in a in a marksman stock with a 16X Unertl to accuracy test my M2 Ball.
The LC54 and SL56 will shoot under 1.5 MOA

[Chris W.]

I wouldn't use the 550 with a collet puller because of the top insert block being made from Alum and having to apply the load pulling opposite of the design of the press. The shell holder wasn't designed to work in that direction. Finger access is harder than a single stage. Pulling on a 550 could, and most likely would, screw it up. A cheap yard sale single stage press would work much better, a 550 is anything but cheap. A call to Dillon is free, give them a call and ask, bet I know the answer.
Chris

[joem]

I have a Lee C frame press which is just about the lightest press and is set up as my bullet puller. It has pulled many many thousands of bullets in at least a dozen calibers both pistol and rifle with no damage. Most times I save the powder and bullets to reload. Why poo poo a idea if you haven't tried it?

[Litt'le Lee]

the RCBS collet is the best of all of them-I've pulled several hundred 06 down from the CMP-LC and Greek--sold the brass-sold the Garand clips--loaded the bullets and powder
in 308--final cost-11 cents a round

[Chris W.]

My point is the shell holder in the 550B isn't the same as the normal shell holder, and most likely with that type of reverse stress pulling could cause a problem with the 550B set up. Sure a RCBS puller in any single stage would work fine.
Chris

[Parashooter]

I wonder how many here agree that the RCBS puller (left) seems mechanically kind of backwards. The Forster (right) is arranged so tension on the collet makes it grip tighter, collet pulling down into the cone, while the RCBS gets looser, with the collet pulling away from the die's cone.

On the other hand, the Forster sometimes doesn't release a pulled bullet without some encouragement while the RCBS looks like a little tap on the top might be all that's needed.

I've used a Herter's puller (a Forster knock-off) for some 40 years but never tried the RCBS unit. What's your experience?

[joem]

The Forester type puller looks to operate much like to Hornady and should work just as well. Soft cast lead bullets don't pull very well in anything but a hammer type knock out puller.

[Ltdave]

I hope you realize that plenty of Garand matches have been won with GI M2 ball ammunition. With a good M1 rifle, a competent shooter can usually keep 'em in the 3.5 MOA 10-ring of the SR target used in such matches conducted under CMP rules. Even at the nationals, these events are often won on points, not X's.

i do realize that lots have been won with M2 but mostly what i shoot is delinked MG ammo which in the many many rounds ive fired off a bench and bags at 100yds, the best of my rifles with a very good condition barrel barely will hold the 9 ring...

changing out a better bullet and reweighing or recharging the powder cant hurt even if its just to make a better round...

[Ltdave]

i bought the .308 Forster puller collet but it doesnt fit inside the die portion of the puller...

were there two different sized dies?

[Hip's Ax]

I have a few cans of RR lot number clipped M2 in cardboards I bought from the CMP about 1999 or so. It is literally 9 MOA ammo. It is obvious it is delinked and clipped MG ammo from the marks on the brass. I was curious so I pulled 50 rounds with an RCBS collet puller and weighed the charges, it varied by plus or minus 1 grain. These rounds are only about half full of ball powder. Anyway, I cleaned the necks of asphaltum (done dry so as not to harm the primer) with a 30 cal bore brush in a dremel, collet neck sized the brass with a Lee die with the decapping pin cut off, reweighed the powder and seated a 150 gr Sierra MK and now it is 2 MOA ammo. I have not gotten back to do more but its nice to know if I need it I can take ammo that really is not worth shooting at a target and make it into ammo that is worth shooting.

[Ltdave]

I have a few cans of RR lot number clipped M2 in cardboards I bought from the CMP about 1999 or so. It is literally 9 MOA ammo. ... and now it is 2 MOA ammo...

this is exactly what my goal is...

ive got some good .30 cal match bullets (various weights)...

is the die portion of the Forster puller different for different collets?

like i mentioned above, my new .308 wont fit the die i have...

[Parashooter]

. . .is the die portion of the Forster puller different for different collets?

No. It's the same. Are you inserting the wrong end first? (Tapered end goes down to mate with cone at bottom of die.)

Standard Bullet Puller for standard 7/8"-14 presses.

The Forster Collet Style Bullet Puller fits any 7/8" X 14 thread reloading press and bullets from .17 caliber to .458 caliber. Must be used with Forster Bullet Puller Collets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f98-ab9DDr8

[BudT]

Hip's Ax,
Did you re-use the same powder?