TLC 430-265 RF Top Punch

[Suo Gan]

Does anyone know if Lee carries a top punch for this discontinued mould? I have been trying to get through to them for hours, and the phone is constantly busy. Any help would be great.

[cabezaverde]

I am not at home, but I believe I have been using the RCBS toppunch used for the 44-250 KT bullet.

You could also file the head of a 1/4 bolt flat and use that as your top punch.

[Suo Gan]

Good idea, I am guessing a Lyman 649 will work too? Still could not get ahold of Lee.

[theperfessor]

Suo -

What type of luber are you using? At one time somebody was offering Lyman/RCBS style top punches that were basically shallow cups that you filled with epoxy and pushed down over the nose of the greased up bullet and let it set up. This makes a conformal nose punch. I've made my own and used JB Weld as the conformal material. Might search the archives for this or maybe somebody with a better memory will chime in.

[HORNET]

perfessor,
IIRC, it's Buckshot that makes an occasional batch of top punch "blanks" for fitting to stray profiles. He even offers sets in various calibers at times. Gotta keep that lathe humming, you know (and stay away from SWMBO [smilie=1:).

[TAWILDCATT]

lee does not make top punches.and they are so far behind I think they have every one working in the shop even the telephone operater.
you must realize that every one is working at top speed to catch up to all the back orders,and that is not just lee.:coffee:[smilie=1::Fire:

[Suo Gan]

I did call Lee today and talked to the nicest lady there. As I suspected...no such luck. I think I can make another punch work fine.