Which Top Punch

[nannyhammer]

All,

Years back I had Mountain Molds cut me a WFN style mold for a Ruger. Mold casts a .432 270 GC bullet which has a .350 meplat. When I try and run these through the lube-a-matic I often end up damaging one side of the crimp groove. It looks to me like the bullet enters the sizing die off center. Great mold and bullet but this irritates me to no end. I tried using the top punch from my MP 432-256 mold but it damages the nose. I also have a set of the flat nose punches from Accurate Molds that work a little better but still get too many damaged bullets. What top punch will work with this bullet? The sizing die in question, RCBS .431 works flawless with my other two molds. Thanks!

[nannyhammer]

In case it will help, here is a picture of the bullet in between a Beartooth .431 280 grain and the Miha 432-256.

185401

[murf205]

In case it will help, here is a picture of the bullet in between a Beartooth .431 280 grain and the Miha 432-256.

185401
I was going to suggest the Accurate flat nose punches but you beat me to it. That boolit looks like it would hit with quite a bit of authority. What do you shoot it in and how does it shoot?

[Yodogsandman]

NOE has flat top punches in 10 different sizes...

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=86&products_id=727

[nannyhammer]

WFN Bullet has been used in two different Super Blackhawks to kill two deer and two coyotes. Hits coyotes with authority and will shoot through a deer's chest diagonally when cast of WW+2%. Used the Redhawk to kill three coyotes and a deer with the MP 432-256 but they seem to lose a lot of lead when driving them over 1300 fps. Killed a deer in Nov that was shot in last rib on near side and bullet was found on top of opposite front shoulder under the hide after breaking shoulder. Saved the bullet to weigh it but lost it on the trip. Looked like it lost at least 50% of it's weight. Making up a few out of 50/50 (BHN 11) hence the need for the correct top punch. Going to run a few expansion tests using the WFN mold and the smallest HP pin on the MP mold.

[beagle]

Take a 5/16" bolt, an electric drill and a flat file and turn out a flat top punch (if you don't have a lathe). Works well on all flat nosed bullets./beagle

[Cowboy_Dan]

Maybe allow your flat punch float a bit in case of misalignment. You can use a dollop of bullet lube to hold the punch in place.

[Wayne Smith]

Look at how you set the boolit in the die - if it is set in crooked it will not straighten up adequately even with a flat floating nose punch - ask me how I know! The other issue is your gas check, if it is not on flat and straight it will tilt the boolit.

[nannyhammer]

All, Thanks for responses.....gas check just might be my culprit.