Bullet Pointing Die Instructions

1. Insert base into a shellholder appropriate for a .308 Winchester.

2. Raise the ram on your press.

3. Screw the die down until it contacts the top of the base.

4. Back the die up until the adjustment numbers on the die are facing you.

5. Lock the die lock ring at this position.

6. Lower the ram on your press.

7. Unscrew the micrometer adjustment on the die until you run out of numberd markings.

8. Set a bullet on the base and raise the ram.

9. Screw the micrometer adjustment on the die down until you feel the die contact the bullet.

10. Lower the ram.

11. Continue to adjust the micrometer adjustment down until the desired shape on the bullet is reached. When the die is adjusted too far, a slight bulge will appear just below the cone made by the pointing die. We feel that bulging the bullet would not be desirable, but have not been able to demonstrate negative effects on the target with bullets that are slightly bulged. See included bullets for examples of correct marked with a “C” and incorrect marked with an “I”.

 

Instructions for changing caliber sleeves

1. Grasp die body by the lock ring and the knurled section just above the lock ring and unscrew.

2. Remove spacer, pointing die, and caliber sleeve.

3. Insert pointing die into new caliber sleeve with cone down.

4. Place this assembly into the bottom of the die body.

5. Place spacer into top of die body and screw together.

6. By noting your settings on the micrometer adjustment, you can return to previous settings for each caliber.

 

Other notes

1. Lubing the bullet tips with a sizing lubricant such as Imperial Sizing Die Wax will allow the bullets to be pointed a little more sharply. Use the lube very sparingly.

2. Bullets with a thinner jacket can be pointed to a sharper point that those with a thicker jacket.

3. Pointing bullets seems to help somewhat with meplat uniformity. The meplats typically still have a ragged appearance after pointing, but remember we have reduced the diameter of these jagged edges. Since these edges are less pronounced, they have less effect.

4. For maximum possible accuracy, we suggest this procedure. Point the bullets, then trim the meplat slightly. To remove the burrs left from the trimming, either repoint them or use fine sandpaper around the outside of the meplat.

5. Different lots of the same bullet may require slightly different settings on the micrometer.

6. If you prefer to sort bullets by either base to ogive length or by bearing surface, do this before pointing for more consistent results.