Frankford Arsenal Bullet Puller

[Blackwater 53393]

I have seen the Pile Driver bullet puller work in person, but only for a half dozen ftf .45 Colt cartridges.

 

I caught it on sale for $45.90 today.  I’ve had it with the hammer and collet bullet pullers.  I’ve had three and every one of ‘em broke before I’d used it more than a couple of times! I figure if I bought a couple more I’d have spent nearly as much and if it doesn’t come unwound, it’ll be worth it to avoid the aggravation of those hammer pullers.

 

Been shooting for over forty years and have acquired quite a few duds that are bagged up and sitting on a shelf in the reloading room.

 

Anybody using one of these??  Impressions??

 

 

Edited August 20 by Blackwater 53393

[Dilli GaHoot Galoot]

13 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

I’ve had three and every one of ‘em broke before I’d used it more than a couple of times!

 I've had a RCBS one for 40+ years and only bought a second one because I lost the collet for the first one in a move.  How did yours break?

That Pile Driver looks interesting 

[Blackwater 53393]

One of ‘em spit the collet out of its bore. Another one cracked the handle.

 

I made the mistake of volunteering to break down FTFs for a couple of friends and wound up with a box of fifty that the owner suspected were double charged.  I ended up borrowing another hammer style puller to get them all done!

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

12 minutes ago, Dilli GaHoot Galoot said:

 I've had a RCBS one for 40+ years and only bought a second one because I lost the collet for the first one in a move.  How did yours break?

That Pile Driver looks interesting 

I use Lee shell holders in place of those wimpy collets.  Not sure if other brand shell holders would work the same.

[KingSnake]

I have the Piledriver. Works okay. Really tight crimps sometimes take twice. I broke the plastic knob and they replaced the knob assembly. 

[Sedalia Dave]

39 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

I use Lee shell holders in place of those wimpy collets.  Not sure if other brand shell holders would work the same.

 

 I've used Lee, RCBS, Redding and Lyman shell holders with no issues.

[Sedalia Dave]

I've pulled hundreds of bullets with the hammer style pullers.

 

The secret to not breaking the handle of hammer style bullet pullers is to not grip it too tightly.  If you hold it like you are driving nails the handle will break. Let the weight of bullet do the work. When held correctly the head should rebound from the impact. Also be sure strike it on a hard surface like smooth concrete or a steel plate. 

[Woody Shootem, SASS # 24816]

5 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

Also be sure strike it on a hard surface like smooth concrete or a steel plate. 

I use the end grain of a log.  Softer than concrete or steel, so I figure it's easier on the hammer, but still gets the job done -- and I can set it on my workbench and sit down while using it.

[Woody Shootem, SASS # 24816]

I bought a Pile Driver a few weeks ago, based on a recommendation from Bullets by Scarlett.  I've got it mounted, but only used it for a few bullets so far.  There are different sized carrier assemblies for it (just two, I believe), depending on what cartridges you are disassembling.

 

I've always used inertia hammers previously, but I have about 1700 rounds of 45 ACP to disassemble, so I'll be giving the new Pile Driver a workout in the months to come.

[Blackwater 53393]

I went ahead and ordered it, should be here in a couple of days.

 

Hopefully, Woody will give us his critique when he gets into that bunch of .45 acp!

 

I’ll get mine working and report back when I’ve run it some.

 

Orta be more cowboys out there that have one of these. I would appreciate more comments!!

[Rip Snorter]

I had a press / powder measure issue a few years ago.  I had done a pretty good run and had to take them all apart.  The Hammer is fine for the odd error, but my Rockchucker single stage with shell holder and side cutters was the speed champ.  All the components were reusable.  Insert a round, run the ram up, grab the bullet above the press with the sidecutters and run it back down.  I have seen all sorts of other options, but this method worked perfectly and I didn;t need to buy a thing.

[Montie Montana]

Yes..I have one and love it.  It works quite well on all the loads I have tried... .38, .45 LC and .45ACP.  Sometimes you have to run it a couple of times to get the bullets to come out depending on how tight the crimp is.  Be sure it is well mounted.  Sure beats hammering away with hammer puller.  I have no problem collecting the bad rounds until I have a bunch and then go to the puller and separate them.

 

2 complaints: 1. It is loud when it drops and for some, that can be annoying; 2. There is a small screw/nut that holds the knob in place when you put it into the press...it will work its way loose and you can lose the screw or nut because it is so small.  Keep an eye on it as you use it to ensure it doesn't vanish...I replaced the nut from the factory with a lock nut and helped.

Edited August 20 by Montie Montana

[German Jim]

6 hours ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

 I've used Lee, RCBS, Redding and Lyman shell holders with no issues.

I've also used the LEE shell holders and they work similar to the collets.  The cartridge doesn't quite fit snug in the shell holder, but it works.  Just be careful if you happen to have a high primer.  Because the cartridge doesn't sit quite centered in the shell holder, the primer may be on the edge of the hole of the shell holder.  You might get a BOOM!  Just a theory.

Hope I explained that clearly.

[Dapper Dave]

I was going to say the same thing, been using the Frankford Arsenal hammer puller for years, lost the collets a long time ago in a move, but with the shell holder in place, it's held right where it needs to be. I have never seen a bullet puller like that, very interesting.

[Leroy Luck]

I got tired of breaking hammers and the pile driver was recommended to me by a fellow shooter. I’ve used it countless times. It’s easier than a hammer puller for sure. It is super loud when you trip the mechanism to make it slam. Have broken the plastic catch once, but Frankford arsenal was super fast about sending me a new one. 
 

To add in here: they do sell a couple different sizes of the cartridge holder. I’ve done up to 7mm rem mag and down to 9mm/38 special. You occasionally may get a cartridge slip past the holder piece, but it’s not a big deal for me anyways. 

Edited August 21 by Leroy Luck

[Will Kane]

I"ve run at least a couple hundred rounds through a Pile Driver with no issues.

[Von Dutch, SASS # 7995]

18 hours ago, Dilli GaHoot Galoot said:

 I've had a RCBS one for 40+ years and only bought a second one because I lost the collet for the first one in a move.  How did yours break?

That Pile Driver looks interesting 

My first was a RCBS had it for about 20 years and I broke it I won't go into what happened but I called RCBS and it did qualify for RCBS lifetime warranty, so they sent me a new one that was over 30 years ago and it's still going strong! I have been loading coated bullets for about 26 years and I do a heavy crimp it takes about 2 or 3 good strikes to break them down! When you buy those cheap ones, you get what you pay for!

[Cemetery]

On 8/20/2024 at 4:39 PM, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

I use Lee shell holders in place of those wimpy collets.  Not sure if other brand shell holders would work the same.

 

This is a good idea, gonna give it a shot as my rubber bands on the collets broke.

 

[Eyesa Horg]

38 minutes ago, Cemetery said:

 

This is a good idea, gonna give it a shot as my rubber bands on the collets broke.

 

You'll wonder why you didn't think of it sooner!

[Blackwater 53393]

Thanks, guys!!

 

My Pile Driver arrived today.  I’m working on my reloading bench/table, adding an edge moulding around the perimeter. I also bored a hole in the top for the cables for the case feeder, gooseneck lamp, and the charging cable for my laptop to pass through and plug into a power strip.

 

I’m going to take the advice of a couple of videos, a couple of cowboys from this thread, and the manufacturer and mount it on a big post out in the shop. That “KABANG!” wouldn’t be welcome in the house!!  Schoolmarm is pretty tolerant, but I don’t think I’ll push it!

 

It’ll be a couple of days before I can get it going, but I’ll add a report when it’s running.

[Krazy Kajun]

I normally pull bullets on my Lee turret press, just remove the head with the dies, insert said bullet in the shell holder and raise the ram.  In most all of my calibers the bullet is above the top of the turret and I could grab the bullet with a pair of side cutter pliers and lowered the ram.  This removes most everything I have.....except .32 H&R Mag....the bullet does not come up high enough to grip with the pliers.

 

So about 2 years ago I bought and installed the Pile Driver....bolted it to my basement wall.  It works on the .32 rounds just fine.  The only side effect is the rattling of the wall scares my dog and she going upstairs really quick.

 

Kajun

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

I recently inherited over 600 questionable loaded 45 Colt loads. I watched a few videos on the Pile Driver and decided to give it a try. I started with the plastic cup catcher for powder and bullet. The puller worked flawlessly with the noted noise level, but being a shooter, I was expecting that. The only surprise, up to this point was the caution in the instructions that the machine needed to be wall mounted contrary to what I had seen and heard in the promotional videos.  
 

Following instructions, I mounted the machine to a solid(3/4” wood plank wall).  I then installed the outlet fitting that required a plastic tube running into a plastic coffee can for collection of bullets and powder. I then began to pull 600 bullets  

 

At about round 30, the outlet fitting broke.  A call to FA got quick action and they sent a replacement immediately. At about round 80, the same part broke again. This time I had an ah ha moment. I called FA again and reported the problem. I asked them if there was any reason that I should not pull the plastic fitting and replace it with a MEC powder bushing. I was told that would void my warranty, so they were sending me a “new one”. They then sent me a whole new machine.  
 

In order to satisfy my own curiosity, I put the MEC powder bushing in the original machine and finished pulling the other 500+ bullets without a hiccup. YMMV

 

 

 

 

Edited August 22 by Mack Hacker, #60477
Correcting auto correct

[Blackwater 53393]

Thanks, Mack!!

 

THAT’S the kind of information I was looking for!!

 

 

Edited August 22 by Blackwater 53393

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

I would like to add a clarification to this thread. For those following, it should be understood that all the references above discussing the use of shell holders from various brands of equipment(as replacement for collets) are related to hammer type pulleys and have no application to the FA Pile Driver. 

 

They had me running out to the shop to investigate how they might apply to the original topic.  I can’t find any way they could be used with the Pile Driver

 

 

Please correct me if I am missing something 

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Mack Hacker, #60477 said:

I would like to add a clarification to this thread. For those following, it should be understood that all the references above discussing the use of shell holders from various brands of equipment(as replacement for collets) are related to hammer type pulleys and have no application to the FA Pile Driver. 

 

They had me running out to the shop to investigate how they might apply to the original topic.  I can’t find any way they could be used with the Pile Driver

 

 

Please correct me if I am missing something 

 

You are correct. The shell holder trick is only for the hammer type bullet pullers.

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

One more word of caution.  
 

The machine is shipped with the plastic fitting for attaching a collection tube to facilitate bulk operation installed, but the plastic catch box( more of a single use device) is installed over it. Even though it is shipped in this configuration, the instructions clearly state to never actually use it as shipped) The outlet fitting needs to be removed before using the catch box.

Edited August 23 by Mack Hacker, #60477

[Major Hazzard, SASS #23254]

On 8/20/2024 at 3:26 PM, Dilli GaHoot Galoot said:

 I've had a RCBS one for 40+ years and only bought a second one because I lost the collet for the first one in a move.  How did yours break?

That Pile Driver looks interesting 

Same here, every bit of 40 years..  Only thing I've done with mine is replace the little coil spring that holds the collet parts together.  It was still good, but a rubber o-ring works a lot better. 

[Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655]

do not have one, like all impact bullet pullers they will work great for small numbers of bullets to be pulled.  Collet Pullers that mount to press are much better for large numbers.  The advantage of the Frankfort and others of same design is powder generally stays in the case vs in the puller like a hammer type.

[Blackwater 53393]

2 hours ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said:

do not have one, like all impact bullet pullers they will work great for small numbers of bullets to be pulled.  Collet Pullers that mount to press are much better for large numbers.  The advantage of the Frankfort and others of same design is powder generally stays in the case vs in the puller like a hammer type.

On the Pile Driver bullet puller, the powder and bullet are dropped into a catch tray or down a tube into a container.

 

Disassembling large quantities is fairly easy and quick because you can do them quickly and separate powder and bullets after you reach the capacity of the tray or container.

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

2 hours ago, Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 said:

 The advantage of the Frankfort and others of same design is powder generally stays in the case vs in the puller like a hammer type.

I am not aware of any pullers “of the same design” as the Frankford Pile Driver and I assure you that it leaves no powder in the case when the bullet is pulled.

 

The Pile Driver functions the same as a hammer puller with two major differences. 
 

1 The acceleration of the loaded round is provided by twin springs 

 

2 The case contents can be removed after every round or collected in bulk and separated later 

[Mack Hacker, #60477]

After a session of pulling bullets, all powder and lead is contained in the coffee can on the floor

 

 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

I've use a Hammer style inertia bullet puller for ever.  An RCBS.  Originally, the collet had a wimpy little spring which failed so I bought some 0 rings.  Works like a champ.  i've never screwed up enough rounds at one time to justify something like a Pile Driver (fingers crossed).

[Blackwater 53393]

Same here CC!!  I never had a bad run of reloads myself.  I’ve had the occasional bad primer and maybe a fistful of cartridges that I got light hammer strikes that I didn’t want to try to fire twice.

 

I DID come into a good bunch of rounds that are suspect and I don’t want to shoot them in my guns.  I want to break ‘em down and and reuse the lead, brass, and primers. I know what powder was used, so I might want to reuse it as well.

 

There’s also a pard that has helped me out a few times that has a batch of rounds that he doesn’t trust.  I figure one hand wipes the other and I can help him in return.

 

Been too hot the last few days to put it up and run it, but it’s supposed to cool off a bit by the weekend, so I’ll get it put up and working here shortly.

[Eyesa Horg]

Just had to pull one of C45Ss due to the bullet seating cockeyed. I beat on that thing seemingly for ever before it came apart! Usually for as rare as I take one apart, usually an upside down primer, it only takes a few whacks. Fortunately I noticed a lot of yellow in the mix! First time I've beat the priming compound out of a primer. Glad I payed attention to the powder in the hammer, that would of been an FTF for sure!

[Nellie Blue #54399]

On 8/20/2024 at 3:48 PM, KingSnake said:

I have the Piledriver. Works okay. Really tight crimps sometimes take twice. I broke the plastic knob and they replaced the knob assembly. 

@KingSnake did you use it for 45 acp?