top punch for 310gr Lee cast bullet

[Possum]

Can someone tell me the correct top punch for a 310gr Lee 44 bullet (or what will work decently). This would be the standard factory 310gr mould. Need a punch for either SAECO or Lyman. What I have now eats up the nose of the bullet.

[JDL]

Possum, I use punch #344, a flat punch that was intended for a .38 wadcutter. It wouldn't be hard to make as it isn't concave at all, just flat and measures .350". -JDL

[HCL]

I use the RCBS 600, dont know if that is the right one, but the nose profile matches and works great. (RCBS top punch will work in Lyman press)
I think the nose profile matching more than the number is the important thing.
Hope this helps.
Mike

[John Boy]

Possum ... The Make Your Own Top Punch for Any Bullet

Cut a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil and fold several times to make a square. Rub some lube on one side - push into the punch cavity - pull lever down on bullet nose ... and the foil will conform to the nose of the bullet your sizing and lubing.

I have only 3 top punches and resize/lube bullets from over 15 molds

[Possum]

That sounds like a good idea. I'll try the tin foil method first. Then the RCBS 600.

I was using a flat punch, but the last bullets I loaded shot REALLY wild and I was trying to narrow the cause.

Leads me to the next question. Can the bullet size off-center if you use a flat top punch? These reloads were running around a 40 foot group at 100 yds.

[454PB]

"These reloads were running around a 40 foot group at 100 yds."

You have a bigger problem than off center sizing!

[44man]

Gee, that sounds like you are shooting a Marlin. Please tell us what gun you are using. There are only 2 loads that work in the Marlin with that boolit. 20.5 and 21.5 gr's of 296. All others, even 1/2 gr off will throw boolits.

[Possum]

I was shooting pistols (Encore and S.Blackhawk). It was, I believe, 13gr of 2400 with the 310 Lee bullet. I did switch alloys, but even with straight WW I never had them spray all over the range like that. The best I grouped with this load previously was around 2"@50yds. This was with a mix of lino/WW. When I went to straight WW, the problem began.

I was wondering if it was alignment issue because I found my Saeco rods loose after I sized and loaded that batch. Anyway, I have some original alloy(lino/WW) bullets loaded as of last night and I am going to check them soon. I should find out really quick what the problem was.

[leftiye]

How is the leading? Have you slugged the bore?

[Possum]

Slugged the bore and the bullets were a little under par. It likes a .4305 or greater and these were .430. No leading these are gas checked. I have shot .4295 out of this pistol and they still didn't group that far apart. That leaves me with the alloy and the sizing.

I'll know in a few days when I shoot again. If anyone has a RCBS 600 top punch laying around not being used, I wouldn't mind funding someones project!

[leftiye]

They're probably slugging up. Are you using a softer alloy? Try .001" over groove diameter (.4315") and see if accuracy improves. If they cast that large that is. If not, you could lap or beagle the mold. If they're really flying all over h#!! as described you may have to go to a harder alloy, or lighten the load some.

[black44hawk]

The lee sizer is the cheapest and best alternative. It employs a nose first design that does not harm the integrity of the slug.