How do I remove a bullet?

Question

I've got a special bullet passed on to me from a friend. I would like to disarm it, making it inert so I can carry it around safely.

Hypothetical question: If I were to carry a Live Bullet in my pocket everyday, what are the chances that it goes off. (Assuming that I mess around with it in my pocket and there's nothing in my pocket except the bullet)

Answer 1

Appearantly " Mom " doesn't know everything and "Hockey " is trying to get your havd and possibly more blown off. Any reloader will have a bullet puller to remove the slug and powder. You also need to fire of remove the primer. This will render the round inert and safe to carry.

Answer 2

It's hard to be sure what you're asking, since you seem to be confusing the word "bullet" with the word "cartridge." You can carry your average cartridge around in your pocket with a certainty that it won't go bang. If you want to make it completely safe, you'll have to pull the bullet from the end of the cartridge. For centerfire cartridges, the cheapest and simplest way is to use an inertial bullet puller, which is something like a hollow hammer. You unscrew it, put the cartridge inside, screw it closed again, and whack it against something (I use a piece of 4x4 lumber) until the bullet comes loose.It's simple then to remove the propellant. You then have to deal with the primer. You could just fire the thing, or you could fill the bottom of the case with oil and let it sit there. After a while the oil will degrade the primer. This is not for rimfire cartridges, and it's really best left to somebody who knows what he's about. Many people load their own cartridges, and if you ask around you can probably find somebody to do this for you. By the way, don't take the thing out in public. It's illegal in many places, and there's no sense looking for trouble.

Answer 3

Carrying an old bullet around in your pocket isn't particularly dangerous.

To safely disassemble the bullet you will need access to an Impact Bullet Puller and the correct size collet for your bullet.

The device is hammer shaped with a hollow head. The collet is clamped around the base of the case and then inserted in the head of the bullet puller. The puller is then stuck sharply against a hard surface. Since the case is being held by the collet the impact will cause the projectile to slip out of the case, along with the gun power.

This method allows you to get the projectile without damaging it or the case. You can take the primer out of the case by placing in it a reloader with the proper depriming die, and simply push it out. The gun power can be easily disposed of. There is only a small amount and you can just put in your hand, take outside, and fling it to the wind. It won't hurt anything.

If you want you can then reinsert the projectile back into the empty, deprimed case and it will be perfectly safe. Unless you throw it at somebody.

Answer 4

Please do not carry a live bullet in your pocket.

If you know somebody who reloads, they have a hammer shaped tool the the bullet is inserted into. It costs about $15 -$20 dollars. The tool is then struck on a solid surface just like a hammer. The bullet is extracted from the case and the powder falls harmlessly out. As for the primer left in the case, it is dangerous just by itself. In fact, it is much more unstable than the powder (which is why it is used to ignite the powder). The best thing to do there is to load it into a gun at a safe area, such as a shooting range, fire the gun, and then extract the casing with the fired primer in it. I have never had to disarm a cartridge like then. I have had to take a couple bullets apart, but then reloaded that same case. I don't know if you fire it in an automatic, whether it will extract properly or if you'll have to cycle the action. Either way, just load it by itself, no other rounds in the gun. You can then push the bullet back on or with a narrow punch, which fits through the primer hole in the bottom of the case, push the primer out from the inside of the shell. Now you install a key-chain through that hole, put the bullet back in, and you've got a bullet key-chain. Remember, bullet key-chains will not be allowed through security checks (airports, courthouses, etc.) An inert bullet with a fired primer will be even more trouble.

Answer 5

you basically have no risk. If something hits the primer on the bullet hard enough it will fire, but the casing makes the primer receased, so it would have to be a nail, firing pin, etc. for it to happen. I have carried centerfire and rimfire ammunition for years and never had an accidental discharge.

If you wanted to "help ensure it didn't go off", you could soak the bullet in oil or water for a few days. The liquid can then work its way into the powder and make it a squib load. This might not work on ammo that has been sealed, such as most military ammunition.

Answer 6

Don't worry be happy,and to do either get a gunsmith to do it for you.As in the case of one going off I dont think it will in your pocket, UNLESS you fell down and something dented the end in ,and then you may loose something precious to you. However when hunting I always carry around anywhere from 5 to 10 in my pockets for backup plus what I have in magazines. And this for over 30 years and I never lost anything precious yet, almost all my kills have been from the one warm bullet from my pocket.

Answer 7

It is not likely to go off but if you don't intend to shoot it, ever, then it is a good idea to render it inert. Find someone who reloads and ask him if he has a 'bullet puller;' then ask him to 'pull the bullet' for you, dump the powder and put a drop of oil on the primer to disable it. Or, if you don't mind if the primer is dented, fire the primer in the appropriate firearm (pointed in a safe direction, of course). Then have your friend re-insert the bullet into the cartridge case and crimp it for you without any powder. If you want to add weight, fill the case with clean sand and you are good to go.

If you don't know anyone who reloads try asking a gunsmith. Or purchase a bullet puller from a gun supply store and do the above yourself. Of course, you'll still have to have the bullet crimped so you are back to step one, find a friend who reloads...

Best.

H

Answer 8

Use a pliers to remove the bullet from the casing(comes off pretty easy). Dump out the powder and place bullet back in casing. If you want to disarm the primer place empty shell in gun and pull trigger. This will fire the primer. Then place bullet back in casing.

You probably have a better chance of hitting the lottery than having the bullet go off in your pocket.

Answer 9

You can keep it in your pocket for as long as you want. For some unknown reason, my Dad and brother carry around a bullet in their pocket for luck. My Dad's .44 hasn't gone off in the 30 some years he's carried it, and my brother's .308 hasn't gone off either. Just beware that you can't take it with you everywhere. My brother did get one confiscated from him when he came to the airport to pick me up, he forgot all about his bullet in his pocket and damn near got arrested going through security.

Answer 10

A bullet can be carried in your pocket, around your neck, hanging from your nipple. It won't go off without the firing pin striking it. No worries.Unless of course you travel to Mexico and you'll be in prison with the bullet for life. Even loose ammo is a jailable offense.