a new tool for the reloading bench

[Kevin Stenberg]

It is a nut pick that you get with a nut cracker. Most times they are a small dia. metal rod with a small curve on one end for getting the meat out of nuts.
I take a vice grips or pliers and make the pointy end of the pick a small hook. When you are breaking down improperly made rounds when pulling the bullets the GC come off most of the time. When that happens I pour the powder out of the case. So the only thing left is the GC in the case. I raise the case above eye level, litely bounce the case so the check is just inside the neck with the cup up. Insert the hooked pick into the case hook down. Simply hook the cup of the check and with downward pressure pull the check out.
I know that no one on this site makes that kind of mistake that needs to break down some loads. So you can pass it on to someone that does make that kind of mistake. Kevin

 

[Rick]

I use a small needle nose pliers and do basically the same thing. When teaching others of course cause I would never make that mistake.

 

[smokeywolf]

I keep a half dozen dental picks for that type of situation. Have also made a few picks for pulling thread debris out of threaded blind holes.

 

[dromia]

I just use the next size up neck expander,"M" die, and the gas check just drops out with the powder.

 

[fiver]

I keep a nut pick in the tin of loose 22lr rounds.
it's been one of the better tools I have found for picking out those one or two empty cases you seem to get stuck in the receiver with the cheaper ammo.

 

[Rally Hess]

Fiver,
You have to be careful giving out tips like that. The pocket knife manufactures will go broke! I hear the points on many pocket knives have been broken off removing stuck .22's from the chamber of rifles. My 552 Rem was notorious for it combined with Federal Lightnings.

 

[fiver]

Buck knives used to be famous for not being worth a rip until the tip was broke off and re-shaped then sharpened about 50 times.
I think the Tanto blade shape was a discovery from one of those blades snapping off.

 

[earlmck]

I have a small long-nosed needle nose pliars which is great for those orphaned gas checks, but that would be much nicer for fishing out stuck 22's than the pick I made from bailing wire which is a little too flexible. Nice tip!