Top Punch Lyman #418?

[Three44s]

I have an Ideal 257388 mold and my version is the very sharp point.

According to Lyman, that takes a 418 top punch. There is a flat nose version of the 257388 also.

What I do not know is if that 418 top punch is for the flat nose version or the one for my very sharp point version.

Is there someone with a #418 TP that can look at or post a picture to give me an idea what I am up against?

According to what I see on the net, the #418 is discontinued so that leaves the used market for something that may not be the right one anyway.

I have considered the hot glue trick but with such a skinny boolit (25 caliber) how am I going to get it centered so the glue forms up in line?

I would sure consider buying a Lee sizer in .258” and push through size them if Lee listed it but they do not.

Thank you in advance

Three44s

[jrmartin1964]

According to Lyman's Handbook of Cast Bullets (1958), TP #418 is appropriate for #25719, #257361, #257388, and #257418. The illustrations of these four designs show them all as either spitzer or generally sharp-pointed.

Jim

[beagle]

I had a 257418 and the corresponding #418 TP and believe me, the 418 TP is for a very sharp spitzer./beagle

[Three44s]

Thank you for responding!

You have been very helpful!

Three44s

[Three44s]

A local forum member brought a #366 top punch for me to try. Thank you Shaggybull!

Next time I cast with my 257388, I will try it.

In the meantime I also found a more complete list of Lyman top punches and it also refers to the #418 as being the correct one, so if the #366 does not fit well enough I will post a WTB in the Boolits classified for the listed one.

Three44s

[georgerkahn]

Three44s -- in my wee collection, I do in fact have a Lyman #418 top punch. You had written, "Is there someone with a #418 TP that can look at or post a picture to give me an idea what I am up against?"
Photography skills are not my best -- but I do hope these help you.
geo

[Three44s]

Thank you George, I appreciate that!

I will give Shaggybull’s #366 a whirl and if that does not pan out, I will do a WTB in the member classifieds for a 418.

I was reluctant to search and buy a 418 since there was some uncertainty with two versions of the mold I have (a 257388 with a sharp point like mine and also a flat nose version that I don’t have) but the older Lyman listings indicate the 418 is right and thanks to George’s pictures I am content in buying one if need be.

Best regards

Three44s

[Three44s]

Finally got to cast another batch of 257388’s today!

I PC’ed a bunch and then seated checks and sized them in a Lyman 450.

Member Shaggybull brought me a #366 top punch to try. There is a bit of difference but where it really counts, it fits well enough!

The 366 is actually listed for a sharp pointed cast 8 mm bullet.

Now, if I could stop all this confounded wind I go shoot them and see what will do!

Three44s

[gwpercle]

Thank you for responding!

You have been very helpful!

Three44s

If the top punch isn't an exact fit you can custom fit it with a cast boolit and a small ball of epoxy putty . The epoxy putty will form a perfect fit without running or dripping and will last longer .
Install the punch like you are goin to size the boolt . Clean the punch cavity so the epoxy will stick , wax or grease the boolit so the epoxy will not stick to it .
Press the ball of epoxy putty into the nose punch cavity , get the boolit lined up in the sizing die , get the nose punch centered on the boolit and begin to size the boolit , when everything is in lineand straight ...leave it to harden . After the epoxy sets up , remove boolit and punch , clean off any excess and Ta-Dah ! Perfect Fit !!!
Gary