How does a top punch work and how do I identify which punch I need?

[bbogue1]

What does a top punch do? I have seen refrence to lubisizers using top punches. I think the top punch preceeds the bullet going through the lubing wax. Is there a chart telling which punch goes with what bullet?

[rancher1913]

the top punch matches the boolits nose and pushes the boolit into the sizer die then the sizer bottom pin pushes it back out. if the top punch does not fit the boolit profile it will leave marks and could affect accuracy.

[MT Chambers]

You order the top punch when you buy the mold, at least in the case of Lyman and RCBS, others you may have to try match just from fit.

[C.F.Plinker]

The top punch is what pushes the boolit down into the sizing die. If you are using Lyman molds often times the last 3 digits of the mold number are the top punch. for example, the 452460 mold uses the 460 top punch. Many wadcutter or semi-wadcutter boolits can use a length of 1/4 inch rod as a top punch because the top of the boolit is flat or nearly flat.

[Randy Bohannon]

Tom at Accurate Molds makes a set of flat top punches that will work on any flat nose bullet you get 3 of them for nearly the price of a single Lyman or RCBS, I believe NOE does the same thing.

[runfiverun]

noe usually sends you a punch with the mold.
I have never used anything but star sizers so it took me a while to figure out what the little doohickey was in the box with his molds.

[OS OK]

Here's a few...from here...http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?140500-Top-Punch-Chart




Top Punch # Mold # (s) Nominal Diameter Nominal Weight Bullet Type

#8 311041 .309" 173grs FNGC
311008 .312" 115grs FN
319247 .322" 165grs FN

#43 401043 .401" 175grs FN
403169 .408" 240grs FN
427098 .428" 205grs FN
401654 .401" 150grs SWCBB
401638 .401" 175grs TCBB
410610 .410" 215grs SWCGC

#93 ?????

#132 457132 .459" 535grs Semi-pointed

#141 515141 .512" 425grs FN

#190 454190 .454" 250grs FN

#191 457191 .459" 292grs FNBB
457122 .459" 330grs FNHP
457643 .459" 400grs FN
457193 .459" 405grs FN

#203 245496 .244" 84grs RNGC

#226 313249 .314" 85grs RN

#251 439186 .439" 370grs RN
446110 .446" 340grs RNFP
429383 .430" 245grs RN

#284 311284 .309" 210grs RNGC

#303 ?????

#311 356242 .356" 90grs RN
356242* .356" 120grs RN
358311 .358" 160grs RN

#346 287346 .285" 135grs RNGC

#348 ?????

#359 311359 .312" 115grs PTGC

#360 ?????

#374 457124 .459" 385grs RN
457671 .459" 475grs RNGC
457125 .459" 500grs RN
452374 .452" 225grs RN
452374 .452" 180grs DEV HP

#402 356402 .356" 120grs TC

#413 311332 .309" 180grs PTGC

#415 225415 .225" 55grs FNGC

#420 25742 .258" 65grs FNGC

#421 429215 .430" 210grs SWCGC
429421 .430" 245grs SWC
429244 .430" 255grs SWCGC
429650 .430" 300rs SWCGC

#424 452424 .452" 255grs SWC
452490 .452" 255grs SWCGC

#429 358477 .358" 150grs SWC
358156 .358" 155grs SWCGC
358429 .358" 170grs SWC

#430 358430 .358" 195grs RN

#438 225438 .225" 44grs RNGC

#449 375248 .379" 249grs FN
375449 .379" 264grs FNGC
410655 .410" 400grs FN

#460 452460 .452" 200grs SWC
452630 .452" 200grs FNBB

#463 266469 .264" 140grs RNGC

#465 311291 .309" 170grs RNGC
311252 .311" 75grs RN

#467 311410 .312" 130grs Pointed tip
311299 .309" 200grs RNGC
314299 .314" 200grs RNGC

#470 323470 .325" 165grs RNGC

#495 358665 .358" 158grs RNFP

#637 356637 .356" 147grs FNBB
356637 .356" 124grs Dev HPBB

#641 266673 .264" 150grs Semi-pointed GC SIL
280642 .278" 150grs FNGC
287641 .285" 160grs SIL

#644 311672 .309" 160grs FTGC SIL
311644 .309" 190grs Semi-pointed GC SIL

#646 225646 .225" 55grs Semi-pointed GC

#649 429667 .430" 240grs RNFPBB
429640 .430" 250grs DEV HPGC
452664 .452" 250grs RNFP
452651 .452" 325grs FNGC
501680 .501" 360grs SWC

#658 410660 .410" 385grs Semi-pointed
457658 .459" 480grs Semi-pointed

#663 378674 .379" 335grs RN
410663 .410" 40grs RN

#677 457677 .459" 490grs Pointed-tip

#678 ?????

RN= Round Nose
FP= Flat Point
FN= Flat Nose
SWC= Semi-wadcutter
BB= Bevel Base
GC= Gascheck
HP= Hollow Point
DEV= Devastator
SIL= Silhouette

RCBS TOP PUNCH CHART

RCBS Top Punches
Pistol
Sizer Die Top Punch Top Punch
Mold Part Number Bullet Type Part Number Part Number Number
82021 32-077-RN 82214 82536 465
82060 32-098-WC 82216 82543 445
82061 32-098-SWC 82216 82542 444
82057 38-090-RN 82221 82513 311
82026 09-115-RN 82221 82504 115
82062 9mm-124-RN 82221 82521 401
82063 09-124-RN-TG 82221 82504 115
82027 09-124-CN 82221 82522 402
82077 9mm-147-FN 82221 85556 556
82084 9mm-100-RN 82248 82551 551
82030 38-148-WC-DE 82223 82515 344
82031 38-148-WC 82223 82529 429
82032 38-150-SWC 82223 82529 429
82064 38-158-RN 82223 82513 311
82065 38-158-SWC 82223 82529 429
82066 40-180-FN 82245 85558 558
82067 10mm-170-SWC 82243 85518 518
82068 100-200-SWC 82243 85518 518
82039 41-210-SWC 82226 82541 420
82041 44-225-SWC 82229 82527 421
82042 44-240-SWC 82229 82527 421
82043 44-245-SWC 82229 82527 421
82080 44-250-K 82229 82527 421
82044 44-250-SWC 82229 82527 421
82079 44-300-SWC 82229 82527 421
82052 45-185-SWC-BB 82233 82545 680
82046 45-200-SWC 82233 82534 460
82047 45-201-SWC 82233 82545 680
82081 45-225-CAV 82234 85552 552
82048 45-230-RN 82233 82519 374
82049 45-250-FN 82234 82506 190
82050 45-255-SWC 82234 82528 424
82092 45-270-SAA 82234 82528 424
82083 45-300-SWC 82233 82528 424
82087 50-340-SWC+ 82254 85611 611
Cowboy Molds
82301 25-85-CM 82204 85630 630
82302 30-150-CM 82212 85631 631
82303 32-90-CM 82216 85632 632
82304 38-140-CM 82223 85633 633
82305 38-158-CM 82223 85633 633
82306 40-180-CM 82245 85635 635
82307 44-200-CM 82244/82229 85636 636
82308 45-230-CM 82233/82234 85637 637
Rifle
Sizer Die Top Punch Top Punch
Mold Part Number Bullet Type Part Number Part Number Number
82007 22-055-SP 82240 85506 506
82015 243-095-SP 82202 85509 509
82016 257-120-SP 82204 85515 515
82017 270-150-SP 82206 85529 529
82018 7mm--168-SP 82209 85531 531
82009 30-115-SP 82212 85535 535
82019 30-150-FN 82212 85546 546
82020 30-180-SP 82212 85541 541
82014 30-180-FN 82212 85546 546
82022 7.62-130SPL 82212 85554 546
82023 310-120-RN 82213 85543 543
82024 32-170-FN 82217 85550 550
82028 35-200-FN 82223 85565 565
82029 37-250-FN 82275 85570 570
82090 378-312-BPS 82252 85608 608
82070 40-300-SP-CSA 82226 82520 378
82074 40-350-SP-CSA+ 82226 82520 378
82074 40-400-SP-CSA+ 82212 85520 378
82086 40-400-BPS+ 82226 85609 609
82075 416-350-FN+ 82246 85562 562
82036 44-200-FN 82244 85595 595
82093 44-370-FN 82253 85585 585
82051 45-300-FN 82236 85600 600
82045 45-325-FN-U 82236 85583 383
82053 45-405-FN+ 82236 85600 600
82054 45-500-FN+ 82236 85600 600
82085 45-500-BPS+ 82236 85607 607

Top Punches

If you know of any other combinations of top punches that work with lee molds,
please forward them to webmaster@castpics.net for inclusion in this list.
Thanks.


Lee Mold Lyman RCBS
22 Bator 646
311-093-1R 465
311-100-2R 226
TL314-90-SWC
358-105-SWC 467,402
358-125-RF 429 429
358-140-SWC 554 554
TL358-148-WC 495
358-148-WC 495
358-150-1R 311
358-150-SWC 554 554
TL358-158-SWC 429 550
C358-158-SWC 429 429
TL358-158-2R 311
358-158-RF 43
356-102-1R 311
356-120-TC 402 550
TL356-124-2R 311
TL356-124-TC 402
356-125-2R 311
365-95-1R
401-145-SWC
TL401-175-SWC 43
401-175-TC 460, 43
410-195-SWC 43
TL410-210-SWC
429-214-SWC 421
C429-240-SWC 421
429-200-RF 649
429-240-2R 251
429-255-SWC
TL430-240-SWC 241
C430-310-RF 649 600
452-160-RF 649
452-200-SWC 460
452-200-RF 649
TL452-200-SWC 344, 43
452-228-1R 374 374
TL452-230-2R 374
TL452-230-TC 460 191
452-230-TC 460
452-252-SWC 421
452-255-RF 190, 649
C452-300-RF 649
C476-325-RF
476-400-RF
C501-440-RF
C285-130-R 413
C309-113-F 8
C309-120-R
C309-130-R 465
C309-150-F 8
C309-160-R
C309-170-F
C309-180-R
C309-200-R 467
C312-155-2R 467
CTL312-160-2R
C312-185-1R
C324-175-1R 470, 467, NEI 59
C329-205-1R
C338-220-1R
379-250-RF
457-340-F
457-405-F
459-405-HB 374 374
457-450-F
C457-500-F
459-500-3R
515-450-F
515-500-F

Top Punches



Lee Mold Lyman RCBS
22 Bator 646
311-093-1R 465
311-100-2R 226
TL314-90-SWC
358-105-SWC 467,402
358-125-RF 429 429
358-140-SWC 554 554
TL358-148-WC 495
358-148-WC 495
358-150-1R 311
358-150-SWC 554 554
TL358-158-SWC 429 550
C358-158-SWC 429 429
TL358-158-2R 311
358-158-RF 43
356-102-1R 311
356-120-TC 402 550
TL356-124-2R 311
TL356-124-TC 402
356-125-2R 311
365-95-1R
401-145-SWC
TL401-175-SWC 43
401-175-TC 460, 43
410-195-SWC 43
TL410-210-SWC
429-214-SWC 421
C429-240-SWC 421
429-200-RF 649
429-240-2R 251
429-255-SWC
TL430-240-SWC 241
C430-310-RF 649 600
452-160-RF 649
452-200-SWC 460
452-200-RF 649
TL452-200-SWC 344, 43
452-228-1R 374 374
TL452-230-2R 374
TL452-230-TC 460 191
452-230-TC 460
452-252-SWC 421
452-255-RF 190, 649
C452-300-RF 649
C476-325-RF
476-400-RF
C501-440-RF
C285-130-R 413
C309-113-F 8
C309-120-R
C309-130-R 465
C309-150-F 8
C309-160-R
C309-170-F
C309-180-R
C309-200-R 467
C312-155-2R 467
CTL312-160-2R
C312-185-1R
C324-175-1R 470, 467, NEI 59
C329-205-1R
C338-220-1R
379-250-RF
457-340-F
457-405-F
459-405-HB 374 374
457-450-F
C457-500-F
459-500-3R
515-450-F
515-500-F

[Yodogsandman]

http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/the-library/top-punch-references

[Pee Wee]

Here's a few...from here...http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?140500-Top-Punch-Chart




Top Punch # Mold # (s) Nominal Diameter Nominal Weight Bullet Type

#8 311041 .309" 173grs FNGC
311008 .312" 115grs FN
319247 .322" 165grs FN

#43 401043 .401" 175grs FN
403169 .408" 240grs FN
427098 .428" 205grs FN
401654 .401" 150grs SWCBB
401638 .401" 175grs TCBB
410610 .410" 215grs SWCGC

#93 ?????

#132 457132 .459" 535grs Semi-pointed

#141 515141 .512" 425grs FN

#190 454190 .454" 250grs FN

#191 457191 .459" 292grs FNBB
457122 .459" 330grs FNHP
457643 .459" 400grs FN
457193 .459" 405grs FN

#203 245496 .244" 84grs RNGC

#226 313249 .314" 85grs RN

#251 439186 .439" 370grs RN
446110 .446" 340grs RNFP
429383 .430" 245grs RN

#284 311284 .309" 210grs RNGC

#303 ?????

#311 356242 .356" 90grs RN
356242* .356" 120grs RN
358311 .358" 160grs RN

#346 287346 .285" 135grs RNGC

#348 ?????

#359 311359 .312" 115grs PTGC

#360 ?????

#374 457124 .459" 385grs RN
457671 .459" 475grs RNGC
457125 .459" 500grs RN
452374 .452" 225grs RN
452374 .452" 180grs DEV HP

#402 356402 .356" 120grs TC

#413 311332 .309" 180grs PTGC

#415 225415 .225" 55grs FNGC

#420 25742 .258" 65grs FNGC

#421 429215 .430" 210grs SWCGC
429421 .430" 245grs SWC
429244 .430" 255grs SWCGC
429650 .430" 300rs SWCGC

#424 452424 .452" 255grs SWC
452490 .452" 255grs SWCGC

#429 358477 .358" 150grs SWC
358156 .358" 155grs SWCGC
358429 .358" 170grs SWC

#430 358430 .358" 195grs RN

#438 225438 .225" 44grs RNGC

#449 375248 .379" 249grs FN
375449 .379" 264grs FNGC
410655 .410" 400grs FN

#460 452460 .452" 200grs SWC
452630 .452" 200grs FNBB

#463 266469 .264" 140grs RNGC

#465 311291 .309" 170grs RNGC
311252 .311" 75grs RN

#467 311410 .312" 130grs Pointed tip
311299 .309" 200grs RNGC
314299 .314" 200grs RNGC

#470 323470 .325" 165grs RNGC

#495 358665 .358" 158grs RNFP

#637 356637 .356" 147grs FNBB
356637 .356" 124grs Dev HPBB

#641 266673 .264" 150grs Semi-pointed GC SIL
280642 .278" 150grs FNGC
287641 .285" 160grs SIL

#644 311672 .309" 160grs FTGC SIL
311644 .309" 190grs Semi-pointed GC SIL

#646 225646 .225" 55grs Semi-pointed GC

#649 429667 .430" 240grs RNFPBB
429640 .430" 250grs DEV HPGC
452664 .452" 250grs RNFP
452651 .452" 325grs FNGC
501680 .501" 360grs SWC

#658 410660 .410" 385grs Semi-pointed
457658 .459" 480grs Semi-pointed

#663 378674 .379" 335grs RN
410663 .410" 40grs RN

#677 457677 .459" 490grs Pointed-tip

#678 ?????

RN= Round Nose
FP= Flat Point
FN= Flat Nose
SWC= Semi-wadcutter
BB= Bevel Base
GC= Gascheck
HP= Hollow Point
DEV= Devastator
SIL= Silhouette

RCBS TOP PUNCH CHART

RCBS Top Punches
Pistol
Sizer Die Top Punch Top Punch
Mold Part Number Bullet Type Part Number Part Number Number
82021 32-077-RN 82214 82536 465
82060 32-098-WC 82216 82543 445
82061 32-098-SWC 82216 82542 444
82057 38-090-RN 82221 82513 311
82026 09-115-RN 82221 82504 115
82062 9mm-124-RN 82221 82521 401
82063 09-124-RN-TG 82221 82504 115
82027 09-124-CN 82221 82522 402
82077 9mm-147-FN 82221 85556 556
82084 9mm-100-RN 82248 82551 551
82030 38-148-WC-DE 82223 82515 344
82031 38-148-WC 82223 82529 429
82032 38-150-SWC 82223 82529 429
82064 38-158-RN 82223 82513 311
82065 38-158-SWC 82223 82529 429
82066 40-180-FN 82245 85558 558
82067 10mm-170-SWC 82243 85518 518
82068 100-200-SWC 82243 85518 518
82039 41-210-SWC 82226 82541 420
82041 44-225-SWC 82229 82527 421
82042 44-240-SWC 82229 82527 421
82043 44-245-SWC 82229 82527 421
82080 44-250-K 82229 82527 421
82044 44-250-SWC 82229 82527 421
82079 44-300-SWC 82229 82527 421
82052 45-185-SWC-BB 82233 82545 680
82046 45-200-SWC 82233 82534 460
82047 45-201-SWC 82233 82545 680
82081 45-225-CAV 82234 85552 552
82048 45-230-RN 82233 82519 374
82049 45-250-FN 82234 82506 190
82050 45-255-SWC 82234 82528 424
82092 45-270-SAA 82234 82528 424
82083 45-300-SWC 82233 82528 424
82087 50-340-SWC+ 82254 85611 611
Cowboy Molds
82301 25-85-CM 82204 85630 630
82302 30-150-CM 82212 85631 631
82303 32-90-CM 82216 85632 632
82304 38-140-CM 82223 85633 633
82305 38-158-CM 82223 85633 633
82306 40-180-CM 82245 85635 635
82307 44-200-CM 82244/82229 85636 636
82308 45-230-CM 82233/82234 85637 637
Rifle
Sizer Die Top Punch Top Punch
Mold Part Number Bullet Type Part Number Part Number Number
82007 22-055-SP 82240 85506 506
82015 243-095-SP 82202 85509 509
82016 257-120-SP 82204 85515 515
82017 270-150-SP 82206 85529 529
82018 7mm--168-SP 82209 85531 531
82009 30-115-SP 82212 85535 535
82019 30-150-FN 82212 85546 546
82020 30-180-SP 82212 85541 541
82014 30-180-FN 82212 85546 546
82022 7.62-130SPL 82212 85554 546
82023 310-120-RN 82213 85543 543
82024 32-170-FN 82217 85550 550
82028 35-200-FN 82223 85565 565
82029 37-250-FN 82275 85570 570
82090 378-312-BPS 82252 85608 608
82070 40-300-SP-CSA 82226 82520 378
82074 40-350-SP-CSA+ 82226 82520 378
82074 40-400-SP-CSA+ 82212 85520 378
82086 40-400-BPS+ 82226 85609 609
82075 416-350-FN+ 82246 85562 562
82036 44-200-FN 82244 85595 595
82093 44-370-FN 82253 85585 585
82051 45-300-FN 82236 85600 600
82045 45-325-FN-U 82236 85583 383
82053 45-405-FN+ 82236 85600 600
82054 45-500-FN+ 82236 85600 600
82085 45-500-BPS+ 82236 85607 607

Top Punches

If you know of any other combinations of top punches that work with lee molds,
please forward them to webmaster@castpics.net for inclusion in this list.
Thanks.


Lee Mold Lyman RCBS
22 Bator 646
311-093-1R 465
311-100-2R 226
TL314-90-SWC
358-105-SWC 467,402
358-125-RF 429 429
358-140-SWC 554 554
TL358-148-WC 495
358-148-WC 495
358-150-1R 311
358-150-SWC 554 554
TL358-158-SWC 429 550
C358-158-SWC 429 429
TL358-158-2R 311
358-158-RF 43
356-102-1R 311
356-120-TC 402 550
TL356-124-2R 311
TL356-124-TC 402
356-125-2R 311
365-95-1R
401-145-SWC
TL401-175-SWC 43
401-175-TC 460, 43
410-195-SWC 43
TL410-210-SWC
429-214-SWC 421
C429-240-SWC 421
429-200-RF 649
429-240-2R 251
429-255-SWC
TL430-240-SWC 241
C430-310-RF 649 600
452-160-RF 649
452-200-SWC 460
452-200-RF 649
TL452-200-SWC 344, 43
452-228-1R 374 374
TL452-230-2R 374
TL452-230-TC 460 191
452-230-TC 460
452-252-SWC 421
452-255-RF 190, 649
C452-300-RF 649
C476-325-RF
476-400-RF
C501-440-RF
C285-130-R 413
C309-113-F 8
C309-120-R
C309-130-R 465
C309-150-F 8
C309-160-R
C309-170-F
C309-180-R
C309-200-R 467
C312-155-2R 467
CTL312-160-2R
C312-185-1R
C324-175-1R 470, 467, NEI 59
C329-205-1R
C338-220-1R
379-250-RF
457-340-F
457-405-F
459-405-HB 374 374
457-450-F
C457-500-F
459-500-3R
515-450-F
515-500-F

Top Punches



Lee Mold Lyman RCBS
22 Bator 646
311-093-1R 465
311-100-2R 226
TL314-90-SWC
358-105-SWC 467,402
358-125-RF 429 429
358-140-SWC 554 554
TL358-148-WC 495
358-148-WC 495
358-150-1R 311
358-150-SWC 554 554
TL358-158-SWC 429 550
C358-158-SWC 429 429
TL358-158-2R 311
358-158-RF 43
356-102-1R 311
356-120-TC 402 550
TL356-124-2R 311
TL356-124-TC 402
356-125-2R 311
365-95-1R
401-145-SWC
TL401-175-SWC 43
401-175-TC 460, 43
410-195-SWC 43
TL410-210-SWC
429-214-SWC 421
C429-240-SWC 421
429-200-RF 649
429-240-2R 251
429-255-SWC
TL430-240-SWC 241
C430-310-RF 649 600
452-160-RF 649
452-200-SWC 460
452-200-RF 649
TL452-200-SWC 344, 43
452-228-1R 374 374
TL452-230-2R 374
TL452-230-TC 460 191
452-230-TC 460
452-252-SWC 421
452-255-RF 190, 649
C452-300-RF 649
C476-325-RF
476-400-RF
C501-440-RF
C285-130-R 413
C309-113-F 8
C309-120-R
C309-130-R 465
C309-150-F 8
C309-160-R
C309-170-F
C309-180-R
C309-200-R 467
C312-155-2R 467
CTL312-160-2R
C312-185-1R
C324-175-1R 470, 467, NEI 59
C329-205-1R
C338-220-1R
379-250-RF
457-340-F
457-405-F
459-405-HB 374 374
457-450-F
C457-500-F
459-500-3R
515-450-F
515-500-F

This should be made into a sticky

[tomme boy]

Too bad The Professor is not around anymore. He made blank punches you fill with epoxy to fit the bullet you are using. I have a few of them and they work great.

[gwpercle]

Lee doesn't make top punches to fit their moulds, Lyman and RCBS are a sometimes fit / sometimes not quite fit.
Any boolit with a flat spot on it can be sized with a flat punch. Fill a punch with JB-Weld epoxy and sand flat when cured . You can also custom fit punches that don't quite fit with epoxy.
Gary

[alamogunr]

I have a couple of his blank top punches and wish I had more. Many of my molds have a similar nose configuration and one top punch will work if I can identify it. Sometimes I still have to be flexible and use a top punch that isn't exactly correct but doesn't deform the nose since I rarely size severely. Many times it isn't worth buying the correct top punch for a short run of a particular boolit.

I suspect that many of us have settled on either a NOE or MP mold for most of our production. These have been a real help when it comes to top punches.

BTW, Have I missed any recent news about the Perfessor?

[jaysouth]

There is an appendex in the Lyman Cast bullet handbook that show crossover from Lyman top punches to Lee molds.

If you are interested in top punches and other things casting, you should get and read this very important source.

As good as RCBS customer service is, they don't know much about top punches for other brand molds. I have some recommended by their CSRs that aren't even close to what I need.

[Elkins45]

noe usually sends you a punch with the mold.
I have never used anything but star sizers so it took me a while to figure out what the little doohickey was in the box with his molds.

NOE stopped tossing them in for free a while ago. Now they cost a whopping $5 extra.



BTW, Have I missed any recent news about the Perfessor?

He hasn't been active here in over a year. I don't know any details.

[Wayne Smith]

And, for what it's worth, a ding to the nose has very little effect on accuracy. Reference Dr. Mann's the Bullet's Flight. A ding on the base is completely different.