Top Punch Question

[cabezaverde]

How important is it that the top punch used with the bullet be of the correct caliber?

I have a lyman mold for a .358 RN bullet and some top punch I acquired somewhere that is for a .30 roundnose that fits the bullet quite well.

To me, seems to be a workable combination. Am I missing something?

[Vly]

Nope, you are not missing a thing. If the top punch fits, use it. :) One of the most useful top punches is a simple flat punch made yourself from an old bolt. Every boolit with a decent meplat can use that punch.

[beagle]

Makes no difference on the caliber as long as the TP fits inside the sizer. You may get a slight ring but they'll still shoot consistently./beagle

[Winger Ed.]

The top punch is more about the nose shape than the cal.
If it fits the nose of the bullet without 'ruining' it, and doesn't hit the wall of the sizing die,
everything else is irrelevant.

[medicstimpy]

As long as it fits the nose, it doesn't matter about caliber. I use my .223 RN punch on 8mm Mauser cast bullets and they don't even leave a ring. :)