Which top punch in the 450.

[FredT]

You guys should know, which Lyman top punch works best with the Lee .357 158RF?

[462]

A 429 is close, but leaves a ring around the nose. I filled it with epoxy and now have a flat, multi-boolit punch.

[FredT]

Did you fill it flush to make it like a wad cutter seater?

[cheese1566]

Yep, I did the same thing for my Lee 358-158's, 452-230-TC, and 356-120-TC.

Wipe the inside of the top punch with rubbing alcohol to clean. Set it upright lightly in a vise or locking pliers so it doesn't tip over; I used a small cardboard box with a starter hole and pushed it in. Use epoxy (I chose JB Weld) and fill in the top so it it level and flat. The epoxy should flatten and smooth itself out. Wait at least a day to harden.

You can do the same thing to make a custom profile. Wait a while until the epoxy is stiff, but will not run. Place punch in your sizer and a bullet started into the die. GENTLY lower the punch onto the bullet--but no more. You only want the top of the bullet to indent the epoxy, but not too much to squish it all out. Remember, the top punch sometimes needs to enter the die for proper function. Oh, yea-put some light oil on the bullet so it doesn't stick to the epoxy, but will release cleanly!

[FredT]

Yep, I did the same thing for my Lee 358-158's, 452-230-TC, and 356-120-TC.

Remember, the top punch sometimes needs to enter the die for proper function.

That was my problem. I have top punches that fit the nose fine but will not fit into the die for full sizing.

[rickt]

The epoxy is a good idea if you are going smaller. The spray on mold release is a great release agent for epoxy on a M1A bedding job so it will work for this too. How I get rid of the ring is, chuck up the top punch put a dap of lapping compound in it and use a boolit that it rings to lap it.

[Mk42gunner]

That was my problem. I have top punches that fit the nose fine but will not fit into the die for full sizing.

A cut off 1/4" bolt with the head filed or ground smaller will work for just about any flat nosed (and some not so flat nosed) boolit. While I haven't tries it a piece of 1/4" round stock an inch or so long would probably work as well.

Robert

[masscaster]

Hi,
It's important to remember what you use for a top punch in a Lyman or RCBS sizer has to square the boolit up to the sizing die. If it doesn't you'll have shearing one side of the boolit.
Just something to check when setting up/choosing a top punch.
Good Luck!!
masscaster

[FredT]

I just tried one more top punch, Lyman #637 and hit a home run with this one!
Works perfect.