358495 Wadcutter - top punch

[Gemsbok405]

Hi, have two of Lyman 359495 wadcutter moulds, nominal 141gr and which drop at 148gr with range lead.

I load for several S&W's (36-1, 19-3, 67-1) as well as 3 x Python's, and all use cb's sized at 0.357" with good accuracy and no leading... These include RCBS 9-124cn, 38-150KT, Lyman 357446 and a custom mountain mould 125gr .357 cn/swc

This Lyman drops at 0.361, almost in 38 S&W territory, and I size at 0.357 to fit the above handguns, as most have throats in range 0.357-0.358. I do have a set of pin gauges and decent micrometer!

It's a very interesting design in that the front band casts at 0.355, so is just undersize for cylinder throats, but provides good initial alignment with the second band seated just off the throat taper. If seat using the top lube groove as a crimp mark, the seating depth inside case is very close to the 150 KT and powder load data should be similar.

Problem when sizing down in RCBS lam-2 with recommended TP #429, is that occasionally the cb may tilt a bit during sizing and wipe a smear of lead up on one side. There is no top punch listed / available to fit the nose (round button) and hold boolit aligned while sizing.

I did measure the OD of the button and looks to be in range 0.262", which is close to a standard 6.5mm/0.264". Thought of drilling out a TP#344 ( 357 blank) to create a pilot hole to centre the button.

Then was testing out some of various TP's to see if any would work, and the TP#550 ( RCBS 8-170/32-170) was right there with almost no slop!

Sized and lubed a quick 20 pce, and no more tilting in Lam-2

[waco]

Put a thin layer of oil on top of the boolit. Fill the seating stem with JB weld. Run it into the press and let set for 24 hours. Custom top punch for any boolit. For flat nose boolits just fill seating stem with JB weld and smooth flat.
Waco

[gwpercle]

JB Weld also makes an epoxy putty that can be used, it will not run or drip into places it shouldn't.
Use waco's directions.

Custom fit with JB weld is the absolute best way to get a perfect fit. And it can be removed.
I've got an epoxied wadcutter top punch that's going on 20 years of use.

Gary

[MT Gianni]

The 429 is listed because it should have an even pressure preventing the smearing on entering the die. Make sure that you have no burrs and that the throat is smooth. Then get a 1/4 " bolt, chuck it in a drill press and with a file take off the flats until the diameter is smaller than .340. Reverse it and drill a hole for the button.

[GWM]

Sometimes a flat top punch is best as the press in itself can have alignment issues (and often this is the case) and it may allow the boolit to center freely none the less.

[Piedmont]

Sometimes a flat top punch is best as the press in itself can have alignment issues (and often this is the case) and it may allow the boolit to center freely none the less.

Yes. This. Use a plain flat nose punch on all the bullets that have any meplat and let them self center.

[tazman]

You can use the #495 top punch. It is designed for button nose wadcutters such as the 358091 and the 358495. I think it will work for most wadcutters in that style.
If you are concerned about getting the lead smear on one side, use a Lee push through sizer. That will center the boolit on the way into the die and make the sizing even on all the sides. You can run the boolits back through the Lyman lubrisizer to get the lube you want.

[gwpercle]

Sometimes a flat top punch is best as the press in itself can have alignment issues (and often this is the case) and it may allow the boolit to center freely none the less.
I noticed flat punches just about eliminated my boolit alignment issues. I've started making sure all my moulds have a flat point , it doesn't seem to mater how large the flat point is , and using flat nose punches. I found out RN 9mm boolits can be sized just fine with a flat punch.
Gary

[Gemsbok405]

I do think a lot of problem with alignment is that are sizing down 0.004". Pre-sizing with a LEE push through would keep more cylindrical(?) when goes into lube sizer.

The TP#550, when manually centre the nose button before sizing seems to prevent any offset / smearing of lead on one side. The side/depth of top grooves seems very even when do it this way...

[shoot-n-lead]

I do think a lot of problem with alignment is that are sizing down 0.004". Pre-sizing with a LEE push through would keep more cylindrical(?) when goes into lube sizer.


In my experience, if downsizing .004 with a Lee die...it is beneficial to lube the bullets with something...as I have had trouble with it deforming bullets from COWW alloy...it can be tough to push them through.

[Yodogsandman]

Flat top punches are available from NOE.

http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=86&products_id=727&osCsid=bjv5e1hgm1h14ge7es605rc8r5

[MT Gianni]

If you are going to a nose first sizing system such as Lee's, IMO, NOE makes one with replaceable inserts that will cost you less in the long run.