Top punches for Lee boolits

[Marlin Junky]

If you've found a Lyman, RCBS or SAECO top punch that closely fits the c309-150-F and c309-170-F grain flat point designs (I'm assuming the noses are the same because I don't have a c309-150-F yet), please let us know. I've got a bunch of top punches but none fit well enough to prevent distortion to BHN 13-14 alloy. I'm trying to retain the published B.C. or even improve on it slightly.

Thanks,
MJ

[mpmarty]

Select a nose punch that is too large and mix up some JB weld. Fill the punch with the JB and push the boolit nose into it before it gets too hard. Voila you have a perfect nose punch.

[MtGun44]

I turned one dead flat and it works for about 80+% of my designs.

Bill

[excess650]

MJ,
FYI, I purchased (2) C309-150F recently and they both cast .3005-.301" across the nose. One drops .311" and the other .312". I've been using an older single cavity for my 7.62x39 that drops .302"x.312".

RCBS #608 and #565 are the closest fit that I have. The #565 pushes on the flat nose, and the #608 on the ogive. The #608 was for some larger diameter pointed design, but centers the Lee beautifully without leaving a mark. My boolits are generally north of 16bhn, but can be marked with an ill fitting top punch.

[Marlin Junky]

Excess,

Thanks for the 608 recommendation. I've got 565 but it shortens and widens the ogive on softer alloys.

MJ

[Papa Jack]

I bought the LYMAN punch for their 311041 mould, it DOESN'T fit the lee ogive, leaves a slight "ring". I may try to turn off a little of the edge on the Lyman punch and see if the mark goes away, that way it pushes on the flat point, not the ogive.
The Lyman number is 2786690 ,#8 ...

It really is unfortunate that Lee doesn't jump into the market of making nose punches to fit their bullet designs for RCBS and Lyman lubricators. It's a simple operation.... The JB weld or any epoxy putty idea works good !! "PJ"

[NHlever]

I made some top punches for mine years ago when I worked in a machine shop. One other thing I've found over the years is that an oversized round nose top punch works better than expected for many designs, and does surprisingly little damage to the boolit nose. The new Lyman Cast Bullet Manual has a top punch cross reference chart in the back. I just looked, and it suggests the Lyman #465 top punch for the Lee C-309-150-F. No mention is made of the 170 grain bullet, but I have both molds and the nose shapes look pretty much the same to me. Like Bill, I have a completely flat top punch that works on many boolit designs too.

[jhalcott]

Has ANYONE done a test to see what effect the damage done with an "ill" fitting top punch has on accuracy? I'd be interested to see IF it does make a difference on a HUNTING load. I do try to make my target loads as perfect as possible.

[RustyFN]

Here is a list of top punches to match Lee bullets. Click on references then top punches.

http://castpics.net/

[imashooter2]

I recently won a site support auction for these top punches made by theperfessor. Shown in the picture are three each .44/.45 and .35 diameter with a standard Lyman punch in the center:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29953&d=1298766853 http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29954&d=1298766878

They fit perfectly in the three Lyman 45s and two 450's that I tried them in. The O-ring holds the punch securely, but still allows them to be inserted and removed without tools. So far I've only fit one to replace the aluminum punch that came with an NOE 360-180-RF mold. The large meplat on this boolit made for very thin walls on the original and it "blew out" on a boolit that got started a little cocked. The steel walls on theperfessor's punch has proven much more durable. The system works great and I highly recommend them.

I haven't seen him offer these for general sale, but perhaps with enough requests...