Issues with a top punch

okiefarmer · September 10, 2012, 09:55 AM

According to the 'structions, the 311 top punch is called for if sizing/lubing the 358212 pill. This is th 145/147 gr for the 9mm. The ogive is a bit different than the other RN molds like the xxx242 or the xxx311, et al. I am getting a ring impressed into the side of the bullet about halfway down the ogive of the thing. Anyone else have this issue? I thought about taking the dremel and taking the edge off the 311 punch. Any other ideas, like a punch that fit it better.

reloader28 · September 10, 2012, 01:04 PM

The Dremel usually works fine.
You can also put a dab of epoxy or jb weld in the top punch, lower it on the oiled bullet, and let it harden.
Then you have a custom fit.

okiefarmer · September 10, 2012, 06:01 PM

Thanks R28,

I had thought about the epoxy thing too, but I don't load too many of these heavy 9mm, and don't want to mess up my 311 punch. I have some other punches I made special nose patterns with, and that JB is hard to dig out. I could do the same thing here, but I'm fresh out of spare punches.

I might try knocking the edge off first. I did contact Lyman, and the asked me to send it in, and they would whittle me a new on if needed, send a few castings along. Every reference I see, it says 311 punch for this bullet, but it fo shizzle leaves a ring.

GP100man · September 11, 2012, 07:28 PM

Do the epoxy thing, it`ll be exactly fitted to your bullet.

Easy ,fast & cheap !

Edward429451 · September 12, 2012, 08:39 AM

If I have a ring on the boolit problem from an ill fitting top punch, I usually just use a flat point top punch. A teeny flat mark on the tip doesn't look as bad as a ring on the ojive.

September 10, 2012, 09:55 AM	#1
okiefarmer Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 381	Issues with a top punch According to the 'structions, the 311 top punch is called for if sizing/lubing the 358212 pill. This is th 145/147 gr for the 9mm. The ogive is a bit different than the other RN molds like the xxx242 or the xxx311, et al. I am getting a ring impressed into the side of the bullet about halfway down the ogive of the thing. Anyone else have this issue? I thought about taking the dremel and taking the edge off the 311 punch. Any other ideas, like a punch that fit it better.

September 11, 2012, 07:28 PM	#4
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Do the epoxy thing, it`ll be exactly fitted to your bullet. Easy ,fast & cheap ! __________________ GP100man

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September 10, 2012, 01:04 PM	#2
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	The Dremel usually works fine. You can also put a dab of epoxy or jb weld in the top punch, lower it on the oiled bullet, and let it harden. Then you have a custom fit.

September 10, 2012, 06:01 PM	#3
okiefarmer Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 381	Thanks R28, I had thought about the epoxy thing too, but I don't load too many of these heavy 9mm, and don't want to mess up my 311 punch. I have some other punches I made special nose patterns with, and that JB is hard to dig out. I could do the same thing here, but I'm fresh out of spare punches. I might try knocking the edge off first. I did contact Lyman, and the asked me to send it in, and they would whittle me a new on if needed, send a few castings along. Every reference I see, it says 311 punch for this bullet, but it fo shizzle leaves a ring.

September 12, 2012, 08:39 AM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	If I have a ring on the boolit problem from an ill fitting top punch, I usually just use a flat point top punch. A teeny flat mark on the tip doesn't look as bad as a ring on the ojive.