Top punch ID ?

[BigSlick]

Hi guys,

I just received a Lube a Matic II.

It came with 9 top punches and one size die.

Of the 9 top punches, only two have any sort of part number or identification at all. Both are RCBS.

Any idea how to identify the blank ones ?
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LovelyWendie99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

[ron brooks]

I rekon he only way to tell is to look and them and see what cast boolits fit them. If a boolit fits, it's the right size. Not a lot of help I know, but the best I can do, and what I would do in your place. :)

[BigSlick]

Thanks for the reply ron. ;)

I have been going thru the bullets I have on hand trying to find a match. Of the ones I've checked so far, some are close, but nothing matches to the point where I feel comfortable saying they are a good fit.

I've looked all over every top punch listing I can find for RCBS and Lyman and others.

Here's a few pics of the top punches.

Can anyone tell me about the first two on the left ? They are flat on the top and bottom, with no cavity at either end.

I notice one of the punches has a rounded top while the others have flat, square tops.

The third and fourth from the left appear to be round nose for 25 caliber (?) or so and 30 caliber spire point. The four on the right appear to be for flat nose bullets of various sizes.

Sorry for such a rookie post, but I'm ready to buy top punches (confusing in itself) and am hoping I can use some of these that came with the lube a matic. I'm going to start with a few Lee 6 bangers to keep my initial investment down until I find out if I can actually cast a bullet that will hit the broad side of a barn.

Thanks in advance for any help

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/BigSlick10MM/TopPunch3.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/BigSlick10MM/TopPunch2.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b349/BigSlick10MM/TopPunch1.jpg
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CAT WHEEL (http://www.catwheelcompany.com/)

[floodgate]

Big Slick:

The one with the rounded top is an older Lyman / Ideal TP; it should have tiny numbers on the side of the flange. I don't know just when they went to the flat tops, but it was many years back. The two on the left appear home-made, probably for really flat-nosed wadcutters like the #4294349. #429352, etc. The one at far right also looks home-made, for one of the SWC's, and the second from right looks like it is for a .44 or .45 SWC The lower ends have an OD usually a few thousandths less than the nominal bullet diameter. The #8 and #467 are used for several of the .30 cal. bullets; the RCBS #429 is probably for the .38/.357 Keith SWC's.

floodgate

[BigSlick]

Thanks flood gate ;)

The rounded top punch does indeed have a number under the crud on the flange.

It is #412.

Any idea where I can find a chart for the old Ideal punches ?
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Depakote Help (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/depakote/)

[floodgate]

BigSlick:

The best - though not totally complete - source is the chart in the 1973 2nd Edition Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook", showing the current bullet line at that time, with recommended seating screws and top punches. If you don't have a copy, the chart is reproduced on CASTPICS <www.castpics.net> under "Research and Data">"Lyman Moulds". Bear in mind that Lyman mould nose shapes have varied a bit from time to time, and that different top punches have been recommended over the years for the "same" bullet. But the chart will at least get you pointed in the right direction.

Oddly, I don't see a listing for TP #412, but it would have been designed to fit the .270 bullet #280412, a 136-grain round-nose gas-check (also briefly available as a hollow-point), introduced at the start of the Lyman era of Ideal production in 1927, and dropped in 1978. The 1973 Handbook recommends the #468 top punch for it.

floodgate