Just picked up a used Lube-a-Matic and tore it down for a cleaning. This piece came out of the lube reservoir but I don’t see it on the parts diagram. Any input on what it’s for?



I also found this gaggle of top punches at Graf’s yesterday (great shop in St. Charles). I can’t find a good list of top punches. The left two are unmarked, the others are 203, 450, 455, and 468. The 468 is also rounded on top. Ideas on their corresponding bullet?

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SWCA: 3154
SWHF: 552

I don't recall the circular bushing in the lubamatiic, it may fit at the bottom of the threaded rod.
The Lyman cast bullet manual, # 3 which I think is on line, and #4 show a list of what bullets use what top punches. Often the top punch numbers are the last three of the bullet number. So bullet 311413 would take top punch # 413. The round top is an RCBS punch and should have a number on the middle band.
Is it my eyes or it the first punch concave on top?

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Front sight and squeeze

I own about 40 top punches. Your press can use RCBS OR Lyman dies and top punches interchangeably. I usually just use the closest I have.

Helpful Tip: A full wadcutter for 44 or 45 will do just about any flat nosed bullet!

Helpful Tip: Different lubes like different amounts of heat as your loading area temperature changes. There are retro fit heaters (That go under the sizer) But a blow dryer can do a wonderful job, DO NOT USE YOUR WIFE"S BLOWDRYER! (or buy her a nicer one first!) Been there, suffered that, got the T-shirt in 1986!

Helpful Tip: Room temperature lubes, get sticky in Summer time loading. Put a CLEAN container of them in the refrigerator the night before.

I have had as many a 3 lube/sizers set up on my bench at a time, but am down to one now days. It is the Lyman 4500 with the built in heater. I keep it filled with SPG Black Powder lube. It is a little more than average cost, but works well with Black or smokeless powder and with smokeless does not smoke. For batches of several thousand, I get out the Starr and use a heated lube. I run bullets nose down and use a wadcutter punch.

I started with a pan lube kit from Lee, but they have fixated on the tumble lube mess. New sizer dies in different sizes are getting far and few between, so if at a gun show and you see a used sizer in any odd diameter that you might use some day; BUY IT! For example, I have 30 caliber dies in: .308, .309, .310, .311, .312, & .314 If I ever see them I will buy .315 and .316 too. In the 40 cal and 375 cal there are around a dozen sizes each, most no longer made, but all are useful! 45 cal run from .450 to .469 or higher.

Ivan