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View Full Version : Flat top punch...the .92 cent solution..



oldfart1956
11-30-2014, 01:12 AM
Working now on casting for a new 1911/9mm. so I'm running a bunch'a Lee .358-124 boolits thru the Lyman 450. The top punch leaves a nasty ring on the flat nose when you're sizing .359's down to .356 so I needed a flat top punch. Going nose first into the sizer just moves the ring to the base...not a solution. Didn't want to modify the Lyman recessed flat top punch so off to the hardware to buy a 1/4 inch bolt with enough unthreaded shank to hacksaw/file into shape. While pawing thru the boxes noticed...clevis pins....hmmmmm? They had 1/4 inch ones 2 inches long. Smooth shanks, round head with a flat top. Couldn't be this easy...ehh? Chucked it up in the drill and downsized the head just enough to fit thru the .356 die...about 2 minutes worth of work. Works perfectly. :) I'm picking up a few more to leave undiddled with for flat nosed .44 and .45 boolits. I'll have to shorten the shanks just a smidge on them ones. So for under $1 including taxes the problem is solved. Yup...could'a bought a Lee .356 sizing die but I had the .356 die for the Lyman 450. Audie...the frugal Oldfart..

Wayne Smith
11-30-2014, 09:10 AM
Thanks, better than my bolt idea.

Mk42gunner
12-04-2014, 01:08 AM
My most used top punch is the homemade one from a ¼" bolt. Since most of my boolits are flat nosed, it works on most everything from .25 to .45 caliber.

I even use it seating gas checks on Lee 312185 in a .313" die.

Robert