Are the Lyman and RCBS top punch compatible?

[Don1357]

In specific I'm looking for a top punch for a 457406 bullet, listed as being Lyman 374. The RCBS punch with the same nomenclature is a third less...

[OS OK]

I don't see your mould listed but the 374 appears to be the same punch by both mfgrs. it is listed for the 452-228-1R (might be the same nose profile?)

http://www.castpics.net/subsite/TopPunches/Lee.html

[gwpercle]

If you have a top punch , or get one , that's not an exact fit , you can make an exact fit with a small ball of epoxy putty . Put the putty into the top punch nose cavity , grease or wax the boolit nose then place in sizer , line everything up and gently press into place...let epoxy harden and you will have a perfect match .
Gary

[Conditor22]

I use hot melt glue -- never mars

[rancher1913]

think he wants to know if a rcbs top punch will work in a lyman. I can not answer because all I have ever used was lymans.

[nvbirdman]

They are compatible. I am currently using an RCBS top punch (can't remember which number) in my Lyman 450 because it was cheaper. My other tp's are Lyman except for one NOE.

[ubetcha]

It would be nice if Lee would make top punches for their bullet nose profiles. I know some RCBS and Lyman top punches can be used, but they don't fit perfectly. Have to do the epoxy or hot glue trick.

[Wayne Smith]

I think he wants to know if the numbers are the same between Lyman and RCBS. I would doubt RCBS used Lyman numbers but don't know.

[pworley1]

The punches are compatible but they do not have cosponsoring numbers. http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/the-library/top-punch-references/339-lee-to-lyman-and-rcbs-top-punches

[6bg6ga]

I hate to suggest this but most of us instead of starting a thread would have simply tried the punch. If it was something you didn't have on hand and could borrow gone that route. In the case of the relatively cost efficient punches you mentioned simply purchased one to try.

[gwpercle]

Not all top punches match the boolit they are supposed to fit ... I have purchased several top punches with the correct number for the mould and they simply don't match exactly...sometimes numbers lie !
My last example was with a truncated cone boolit...the number was correct for that mould ...the fit wasn't...out came the epoxy putty and Ta-Dah I made a perfect fit... It's like a magic trick !
Gary