RotoMetals2Load DataLee PrecisionTitan Reloading
Inline FabricationSnyders JerkyReloading EverythingMidSouth Shooters Supply
Repackbox Wideners
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Which Top Punch

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    185

    Which Top Punch

    All,

    Years back I had Mountain Molds cut me a WFN style mold for a Ruger. Mold casts a .432 270 GC bullet which has a .350 meplat. When I try and run these through the lube-a-matic I often end up damaging one side of the crimp groove. It looks to me like the bullet enters the sizing die off center. Great mold and bullet but this irritates me to no end. I tried using the top punch from my MP 432-256 mold but it damages the nose. I also have a set of the flat nose punches from Accurate Molds that work a little better but still get too many damaged bullets. What top punch will work with this bullet? The sizing die in question, RCBS .431 works flawless with my other two molds. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    185
    In case it will help, here is a picture of the bullet in between a Beartooth .431 280 grain and the Miha 432-256.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	44 bullets.JPG 
Views:	18 
Size:	79.2 KB 
ID:	185401

  3. #3
    Boolit Master murf205's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Dead center of Alabama
    Posts
    2,408
    Quote Originally Posted by nannyhammer View Post
    In case it will help, here is a picture of the bullet in between a Beartooth .431 280 grain and the Miha 432-256.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	44 bullets.JPG 
Views:	18 
Size:	79.2 KB 
ID:	185401
    I was going to suggest the Accurate flat nose punches but you beat me to it. That boolit looks like it would hit with quite a bit of authority. What do you shoot it in and how does it shoot?
    IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!

  4. #4
    Boolit Master Yodogsandman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    2,948
    NOE has flat top punches in 10 different sizes...

    http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...roducts_id=727
    A deplorable that votes!

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    185
    WFN Bullet has been used in two different Super Blackhawks to kill two deer and two coyotes. Hits coyotes with authority and will shoot through a deer's chest diagonally when cast of WW+2%. Used the Redhawk to kill three coyotes and a deer with the MP 432-256 but they seem to lose a lot of lead when driving them over 1300 fps. Killed a deer in Nov that was shot in last rib on near side and bullet was found on top of opposite front shoulder under the hide after breaking shoulder. Saved the bullet to weigh it but lost it on the trip. Looked like it lost at least 50% of it's weight. Making up a few out of 50/50 (BHN 11) hence the need for the correct top punch. Going to run a few expansion tests using the WFN mold and the smallest HP pin on the MP mold.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Perryville, Ky,USA
    Posts
    4,518
    Take a 5/16" bolt, an electric drill and a flat file and turn out a flat top punch (if you don't have a lathe). Works well on all flat nosed bullets./beagle
    diplomacy is being able to say, "nice doggie" until you find a big rock.....

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Cowboy_Dan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Northern Indiana
    Posts
    701
    Maybe allow your flat punch float a bit in case of misalignment. You can use a dollop of bullet lube to hold the punch in place.
    "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for everyone to believe anything on insufficient evidence."
    -W. K. Clifford "The Ethics of Belief"

    "They hate you if you're clever, and they despise a fool."
    -John Lennon "A Working Class Hero"

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hampton Roads, Virginia
    Posts
    13,652
    Look at how you set the boolit in the die - if it is set in crooked it will not straighten up adequately even with a flat floating nose punch - ask me how I know! The other issue is your gas check, if it is not on flat and straight it will tilt the boolit.
    Wayne the Shrink

    There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    185
    All, Thanks for responses.....gas check just might be my culprit.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check