Frankford Arsenal Pile Driver

I read reviews and questions about this and most people (who don't have one) think it is crazy. I think it is amazing, even fantastic.

I started with a "blue hammer" bullet puller that I bang on the floor (or usually a piece of scrap 2x4. Then I bought a Hornady collet puller and have an array of collets and shell holders now for it.

I got interested in something else when I was pulling 45-70 bullets. It is hard (nearly impossible) to get a good grip using the collet puller. And I'll have to be desperate to use the "blue hammer" ever again.

Some details

I stood up a big piece of 8x8 timber (6 feet long) in my yard and tethered it to a tree. The tree provides shade as well as stabilizing the timber. Then I screw the pile driver to the big timber and I am in business.

I always wear ear protection. I hear the sound echo off my neighbors houses. I don't know what the neighbors think.

After using it a few times, I bought some 5/8 ID silicone tubing and use a big metal can to catch bullets and powder. I have been buying "teardown" ammo in packages of 100. So I am not just using the pile-driver for the occasional reloading mistake.

I find that most .308 needs only one pull. About half of my 45-70 needs only one pull. However 6.5 Creedmoor takes at least 3 pulls. Apparently there is a lot of grip on those long bullets.

Andrew brought over some ammo and 6-8 pulls were required for some rounds to come apart. These were .308 and 6 ARC.

My only real concern with this unit is whether and when it will break down. So far I have done:

100 45-70 lead 405
180 Fiocchi .308
120 WMA .308
100+  "pulls" for rounds that Andrew brought over