I've got a problem with the top punch that I bought with the NOE .311-165 (XCB) mold. This is the first time I've used it and all I'm trying to do is seat the gas check(no lube) since I'm going to powder coat.
The top punch somehow cuts into the side of the nose pretty severely. This digging in is only on one side. The only problem I can see with the top punch is that the nose of the boolit doesn't go all the way into the punch cavity so that the nose bears on the flat in the punch.
I've used this RCBS LAM2 for several years with top punches from NOE, MP and both RCBS and Lyman. I admit that I don't do a lot of cast for rifles.
If this problem can't be solved, I guess I could order a flat top punch from the KeithB over on .artfulbullet.com. I've never used a flat top punch on anything but larger caliber handgun boolits,so not sure how it would work.