Ok, So I have been reloading since this fall. I recently had a batch of .45 acp that I might have screwed up on one cartridge, so I decided to do the safe thing and tear them all apart and redo the whole operation. I bought a hammer style bullet puller to pull the bullets and reclaim all the powder. However, this just created a huge mess with powder everywhere. My question is what is the best way to clean up powder and what do you do with the powder after you clean it up? Thanks for any help. I got the mess cleaned up but looking for tips for the future.
Reloading Question
- Thread starter jerm8352
- Start date
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
I sweep it with a hand broom and I keep a 1lb container that I painted orange and I put my "waste" powder in it.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Dr has it right. I use a cheap 3" wide paintbrush to brush excess powder into a old coffee can.
I have a question on how you got the mess. I use an inertia puller in all my pistol stuff and have never experienced this problem. One thing to remember about inertia (hammer) pullers is that the surface you use to strike on, should be very hard. I use a piece of polished granite about 12" x 12" that is 2" thick that I bought from a cemetary monument company.
I am assuming you thought you had a round that did not get powder. If you ever run into this situation again, weight each loaded round after you have separated the brass into mfg groups. Each brass type can weight different. When you weigh the loaded round, the ones without powder will be very apparent as they will weigh light.
I have a question on how you got the mess. I use an inertia puller in all my pistol stuff and have never experienced this problem. One thing to remember about inertia (hammer) pullers is that the surface you use to strike on, should be very hard. I use a piece of polished granite about 12" x 12" that is 2" thick that I bought from a cemetary monument company.
I am assuming you thought you had a round that did not get powder. If you ever run into this situation again, weight each loaded round after you have separated the brass into mfg groups. Each brass type can weight different. When you weigh the loaded round, the ones without powder will be very apparent as they will weigh light.
Thanks for the info. I am not sure where the mess came from but after going through 30 or so rounds there was quite a bit of powder on the table where I was taking the cases out and away from where I was dumping the powder out. The mess could have been a result of something else that I did not see or remember, but the hammer puller jumped out at me as being the problem.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
What brand puller did you buy? The hardest part for me is to keep the brass in the holder. You need to keep the large screw-on retainer very tight as it will loosen when you smack the "hammer" I retighten mine every strike. The more you use it the easier it will get.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
So I tried the rcbs hammer puller again today with similar results. I tightened the end as best as I could before every swing and when the bullet would come out I could see powder shooting up through the top and when I took the end off there would be powder in the threads and all over the case. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong. Thanks again for all the help.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
No, just a real short case that is a little smaller diameter than the hole its in. The real short .45 auto case is the problem. I usually dump the powder and pulled bullet in a plastic cup. After i'm done I remove the bullets and recycle the powder.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Sawfish
Very Active Member
At today's powder prices, it sounds weird not to reuse reclaimed powder. That is basically what you are getting with surplus reclaimed powder from pulled ammunition.
If you are wondering where to empty your "powder can" it makes good lawn and garden fertilizer. I used a large spice container for my powder can. It has a shaker top which makes it easy to dispense as fertilizer.
blueboy59
New Member
I think you are hitting the wrong end down the threaded end with the shell goes up the end that don't open goes down I have never had a mess at all with my RCBS puller