Corbin Bullet Puller
The Corbin Bullet Puller (CBP-50) is designed to remove bullets from loaded cartridges safely, by using the gentle but powerful leverage of a heavy duty reloading press, such as the CSP-2 or CHP-1. (See Press Page for more information.) It works with any reloading press, however, if the press is capable of reloading a 50 BMG round.
Rather than using the sudden impact of a mallet type tool, which can crack the priming pellet and fracture the powder grains, the CBP-50 eases the bullet out of the case. Pulling pyrotechnic rounds, such as tracer or incendiary bullets, not to mention explosive rounds, is accomplished without as much risk of detonation or ignition.
Unlike spring-loaded fingers that dig into the bullet on the pulling stroke, the CBP-50 uses a precisely shaped orifice to apply a pressure grip on the .510 bullet. The bullet is held without being marred or deformed. Most pulled bullets show no sign of the operation, whereas commercially pulled bullets using spring return leaf grips normally show rather severe gouges and deformation.
The collet type puller is similar in concept, but much slower to operate. Collet pullers that use screw closure must be turned to apply pressure and close the collet fingers, and unscrewed to release the pressure. The Corbin Bullet Puller automatically opens with light pressure on the release lever, and closes firmly with a slight movement of the hand. It combines the speed of operation of the spring-loaded finger device with the clean, marr-free operation of the collet, while avoiding the impact forces of the hammer-type puller.
Important!
The CBP-50 will only pull bullets that have at least 0.15 inches of parallel shank projecting from the case. A bullet loaded so that only the curved nose is visible outside the case does not present any parallel gripping surface for the tool to grasp. Either an inertial puller, or a puller that has sharp spring-loaded teeth to dig into the bullet, will be able to remove it from the case. The mar-free pulling of bullets is valid for bullets with the exposed, parallel shank sufficient to get a good grip.
To operate the CBP-50, follow these steps:
- Remove any die from the press head.
- Put a 7/8-14 reducer bushing in the press head, if one is available. Or, place a large steel washer with a 9/16 hole over the threaded hole in the top of the press. Either of these methods provides more support for the jaws of the puller.
- Rest the flat side of the tool on top of the press head, with the counter-bored part of the bullet jaws facing down.
- Slip a round into the press ram using the appropriate shell holder.
- Raise the ram so the cartridge neck and bullet are above the top surface of the press head, through the adapter or washer (if used).
- Squeeze the handle of the puller, gripping the bullet firmly on the parallel shank.
Make sure the counterbored hole is over the case neck. This assures that the reduced part of the hole in the jaws will firmly grip the bullet at the end of the cartridge neck.
- Adjust the knob on the handle so the jaws close tightly shut on the bullet and are clamped firmly around it. (Once set, this will not have to be done again.)
- With the flat bottom side of the jaws supported evenly by the washer or reducer bushing, lower the press ram.
- The bullet should remain clamped in the jaws while the cartridge is lowered. Open the puller to remove the bullet.
- Remove the cartridge, install another round, and raise the ram. Clamp the jaws on the bullet, and lower the ram; repeat until all bullets have been pulled.
The bullet puller can be used with other, optional jaws made for other calibers. The jaws are sold as a set complete with pivot pins installed through one side of the slotted attachment area. Use a pin punch to tap the installed pin so that it is driven flush with the opposite inside face of the mandible (the long curved arm of the tool) releasing the jaw. Then place the new jaw on the mandible and tap the pivot pin so it passes through the hole in the mandible tip, and is made flush with the jaw surface. Make sure that if the jaws have a counterbored hole, the larger portion of the hole in each jaw is matched to its opposite partner (in other words, don't install one jaw with the counterbore up and the other with the counterbore down!). Also make sure that the pins are flush with or do not protrude beyond the bottom jaw surfaces. They should also be flush on top, but the bottom side is critical and must rest flat on top of the press head.
To order additional, optional jaws, specify the diameter of the bullet you wish to pull (rather than the caliber). The diameter may be different than the caliber (as with a .458 for a .45-70 rifle bullet, or a .452 for a .45 Auto pistol bullet -- ordering "45 caliber" does not give us enough information to make a proper size set of jaws). The diameter can be anything from .105 to .998 inches (4-bore, 25mm).
You can also order blank jaws, and use the tool itself to hold them while you drill your own hole through the junction, with a pair of
shims in place to provide proper clamping shape to the hole. For instance, insert a .020 or .030 piece of shim stock on either side of the proposed hole, then clamp the jaws firmly (adjust the screw to the clamping position for the shims). Hold the tool securely in a machinists' vise, and use a center drill to make a conical starting hole in both halves of the jaws. Then drill the hole desired, and ream it to exact size. Counterbore to clear the case neck to the middle of the jaw blocks, so that the force is centered over the mandibles.
The CBP-50 may be purchased on the secure shopping cart or by e-mail. Prices are shown in the Corbin Price List.
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