Top punchs

[jerdog53]

I bought some used Lee molds and went looking for top punches and did not find any. Through my search it occurred to me that Lee intends for you to use their luber seizer which doesn’t use top punches. I have a Lyman 450 and so I started looking for a Layman top punch that would work with the molds I have. One of the molds is a 255 RNFP for a 45 and the other is a 405 RNFP for 45-70. Looks like a Lyman top punch #649 and #191 respectively.

Sound like a plan? :confused:

[Dale53]

Frankly, you can use a flat ended punch for both (it just has to be small enough to enter the smallest die). That way you only need one. I really believe that flat punches are superior to fitted punches. Flat ends allow the bullet to "self center" whereas the fitted punch can tend to hold the bullet out of line with the die.

Dale53

[jerdog53]

Ok so how do I go about finding flat ended punchs?

[30yrcaster]

Mountain molds has a note in their "Nose Punches" section that reads:

Tip A 35 caliber flat nose punch will work for most big bore flat point or semi-wadcutter bullets, providing that the sizing die has a decent taper. You don't need to buy a flat nose punch for each and every caliber.
http://www.mountainmolds.com/

I looked at Lyman's bullets in 35 cal and picked one of their flatnose bullets then chose the 191 punch. I may have read about the 191 punch somewhere as well.

[boogerred]

if you know some one with a lathe and you have the measurments they can make one pretty quick. i have a small lathe and ive made a few for myself out of old bolts. for my Lee flat-nose bullets i often use a homemade punch. other than that,all you can do is look thru catalogs for another makers bullet with a similar profile and pray it fits your Lee.

[jerdog53]

I have the #191 on my list so mabie I will start with that and see how it works.

Thanks for the unput fellows!

[jerdog53]

I just wanted to thank you all for the infomation I proved you can use a Lyman #191 top punch on Lee 45 cal cast bollets!