I got my hardly used Lyman 4500, ordered some White Label wax. I found a lube sizer and flat top punch for 44 WCs.
But the top punch menu is overwhelming.
http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/the-l ... references
It looks like there is a model for every caliber & bullet shape combo out there.
Does every top punch need to fit like a glove?
Re: Tell me about top punches
2Depends entirely on the profile of the bullet nose. If your bullets have a meplat (flat nosed), then any flat-faced top punch will work, so long as it is no wider than the diameter of the die opening.
Here's an example. I use a flat-faced top punch that 'fits like a glove' for the .358 sizer die because that is what it was designed for. However, I use that same punch when sizing 44 and 45 bullets, with no problem.
Where it gets complicated is when there is no meplat. Pointy bullets ("spitzers") or round nose bullets are examples. In such cases, in order to prevent deforming the bullet, the top punch must have the same profile as the bullet nose that it is pressing against.
For the wadcutter, all you need is one from www.accuratemolds.com. Get the smallest size, which I think is .3 inches and you should be good. Heck, they're only two bucks, so you could get a few sizes if you really wanted. Should work for your .32 cal guns
Here's an example. I use a flat-faced top punch that 'fits like a glove' for the .358 sizer die because that is what it was designed for. However, I use that same punch when sizing 44 and 45 bullets, with no problem.
Where it gets complicated is when there is no meplat. Pointy bullets ("spitzers") or round nose bullets are examples. In such cases, in order to prevent deforming the bullet, the top punch must have the same profile as the bullet nose that it is pressing against.
For the wadcutter, all you need is one from www.accuratemolds.com. Get the smallest size, which I think is .3 inches and you should be good. Heck, they're only two bucks, so you could get a few sizes if you really wanted. Should work for your .32 cal guns
Last edited by beaurrr on Wed Jun 22, 2016 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Hell is where:
The British are the chefs
The Swiss are the lovers
The French are the mechanics
The Italians make everything run on time
And the Germans are the police
The British are the chefs
The Swiss are the lovers
The French are the mechanics
The Italians make everything run on time
And the Germans are the police
Re: Tell me about top punches
3That helps plenty. All my cast stuff, except the 314, are flat points. I might get by with only 3: something for 32, 38, & 44 and cover the entire handgun range.
Puffing up is no substitute for smarts but it's a common home remedy
Re: Tell me about top punches
4Most of the mold makers also sell punches that fit the profile of the bullets from each mold. Lee of course does not. I have all three different flat punch sizes from accurate I also have some lyman punches that I have filled the nose cavity in with JB Weld to make flat punches. When I fit mine into the ram on my LAMII rather than tighten the set screw I put a small booger of sizing lube on the end of the shaft of the punch so it can self align with the bullet and die.