What top punch?

[mugsie]

I just picked up the Lee 6-Cavity Bullet Mold 358-158-RF and I'm cranking em' out like never before (1st 6 cavity mold). I'm still recovering from shoulder surgery, so while I can cast, I can't shoot for at least another 10 weeks or so. So, what else to do but cast!

I'm trying to size these bullets in a Lyman Lubrisizer, but my top punches all seem to be wrong. Is anyone using this bullet and if so - what top punch are you using?

Thanks....

(I'm thinking about 4.7 grains of Titegroup for a nice easy target load - what say yee?)

[Wally]

I use the same mold in 2 cavity--I use the Lyman 311 with an epoxy cast that fits the contours of the bullet tip. However I have used a 429 top punch that was filled with epoxy to make it suitablbe for a WC profile bullet tip--it works just fine as well.

[flinchnjerk]

Hodgdon's starting load for a 158 LSWC is 4.5 of Titegroup for 1028 fps; max. load 5.0 for 1108 (10" bbl.) Not a load with which I'd want to test out a surgically repaired shoulder. My pop-gun load for the 158 RF (.357 Mag hulls) is 3.7 of Titegroup. Sparked by a Fed.100, 10 shot avg. vel. was 747.7. ES was only 30.6; SD was 9.53 (6" 686).
As an aside, Lee (to my fury) has changed the configuration of their 158 RF at least twice. A contoured top punch that works for one won't work for the others. A flat punch will work on all.

[Hang Fire]

I use the same mold in 2 cavity--I use the Lyman 311 with an epoxy cast that fits the contours of the bullet tip. However I have used a 429 top punch that was filled with epoxy to make it suitablbe for a WC profile bullet tip--it works just fine as well.

Ditto here. The epoxy cast works great, I use JB Weld (standard, not the quick) long lasting (never had to redo) and for a custom nose top punch find it hard to beat.


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[Will]

A flat point punch can be made from a 1/4" bolt or anything with a flat head.

[mugsie]

Flinchnjerk - not to worry. I'm shooting left handed off a rest. I might be nuts but I'm not crazy! At this point I can't even raise my right elbow a few inches from my side. I can raise it enough however to load!

Thanks for the concern though. Have a very good new year and shoot well in the coming months.

All the best.

Mugsie....