38-40 Big Lube Bullet - Top Punch for lube-sizer?

[Flinch Morningwood]

Anyone know which top punch to use with the Big Lube 38-40 bullet so as not to deform it?

Thanks!

[Dick Dastardly]

What brand of lube/sizer are you using?

DD-DLoS

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Can't the same top punch be used on both Lyman & RCBS machines?  (I don't have a sizer/luber, I'm still learning.)

I would think that the Star & Saeco machines use proprietary parts only.

[Dick Dastardly]

Lyman and RCBS dies are interchangeable.

DD-DLoS

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

When I started shooting cast bullets I purchased the recommended top punches.  I have about a dozen or so.

Trouble is that now I have several dozen moulds!  I pick a nose punch that is close to fitting, and I've never noticed that a bit of a crimp mark on the nose made much difference for most shooting.  I am not shooting cast bullet bench rest, though.

For rifle accuracy generally I don't size them anyway.  Rub some SPG into the grooves and go for it.

[Dick Dastardly]

Since almost all the Big Lube®LLC bullets have flat noses, a simple flat will work to push them down on a Lyman or RCBS lube/sizer.  If you're running a Star/Magma unit, a flat is exactly what you want because they go thru nose first and you push on the flat base.

DD-DLoS

[August]

I lube the 38-40 Big Lube bullets in an RCBS lubriciser (same, exact mechanism as Lyman).

I have found a flat punch works best.  In fact, I ground one of my nose-shaped punches flat for use with the BL boolits.  Works best of any nose punch I've tried with no distortion or marking of the nose of the bullet.

Flat.

[Flinch Morningwood]

It is a RCBS model.....

I tried one that I was using with my .401 38-40 bullet mold and it left a ring around the top.

I guess I could get another one and chuck it is a drill press and widen with a file until it fits...just wanted to know if there was an off the shelf solution.

[john boy]

By caliber, when I use the H&I dies, I only have one top punch for each.
Take a heavy piece of aluminum foil,  fold it into a small square, wipe lube on on side and press it into the TP.  The aluminum will mold to the nose of the bullet, either FP or an ogive with a metplat.  One can make multiple TP molds using JB Weld also

[Montana Slim]

Hey Little Al,

I'm using the #649 Lyman top punch in my Lyman 450 Lube/sizer. I believe this punch also fits the RCBS, as previously stated by SHB & DD.

BUT, I'm only working the .44 MAV bullet. I bet the .38-40 bullet meplat is no larger than the .44 & therefore this same punch would work just dandy for your application. BTW, I also use this .44 cal flat punch with bullets for my .38 S&W pocket revolvers!

Regards,
Slim