RCBS 358 180 gr 35 cal mold top punch?

[tommyn]

I have a RCBS 180 gr 35 cal mold and the books I have list top punch 430 for it and its not even close to matching the bullet. Anyone using this mold and what top punch do you use for it. Thanks.

[NVcurmudgeon]

If you mean the RCBS 357-180 SIL it has a flat point. (My catalogues are a little dated.) That makes it easy. Any WC or SWC punch larger than .38 cal. will work. Some .38s may work, but watch out for making a ring around the nose. Another way to go is to make a punch out of a 1/4" hex head bolt. Make the shank the same length as the RCBS punch, using a bolt with enough unthreaded length. Then file the head smooth. A 1/4" bolt may be a little loose, but you can make it stay with a dab of boolit lube.

[buster]

tommyn. If you are using the 180 sil boolit the 430 top punch should work, just ran about 200 or so for my 357/max. Rob

[686]

WHAT load are you using with that bullet in your 357 max? what 100 yrds groups do you get? thanks

[tommyn]

tommyn. If you are using the 180 sil boolit the 430 top punch should work, just ran about 200 or so for my 357/max. Rob

the 430 I have is for a round nose bullet. I will try it and also a SWC punch I use in my 45 bullets. Thanks to all for replys

[buster]

686 I'm loading 22 gr. 296 with small rifle primer, for a 14 inch contender, 3 inch groups is all i can get on my good days.

[tommyn]

686 I'm loading 22 gr. 296 with small rifle primer, for a 14 inch contender, 3 inch groups is all i can get on my good days.

Try some 4227 either H or IMR and you might get better groups. Works well in my OTT rechambered 357 max barrel.

[tommyn]

tommyn. If you are using the 180 sil boolit the 430 top punch should work, just ran about 200 or so for my 357/max. Rob

Your right worked just fine. Thanks. Tommy