Couple of my problems with the Lyman 450

Let me preface this with the knowledge that, as typical, what I'm working with is not exactly normal or to the manual's spec. This is a custom 10mm 200 gr. that is a spectacular design incorporating a stepped gas check shank of around 0.3815" by my measurements. Some of my .41 checks are too thin and loose (0.398/0.008 thick). I have some aluminum plain base .40 cal. checks that are ok (0.389/0.009 thick). The .416" thick rifle checks go whonky convex on me. However I have some Gator thick .41 checks that seem very workable. I used the loose checks myself last time but I want these to be better for a friend. I shoot some very ugly bullets at times to the same effect as pretty ones. Might as well as the check is wasted otherwise and all that work to that point. Like I said they shoot fine.

The nose punch is another matter. I seldom have one exactly suitable and many times fabricate my own. However this time I'm trying to stuff a .41 check onto a 0.403" bullet in a 0.401" hole. Not having a perfect nose punch is giving me some very slightly shaved bullets. I'll shoot them so not a total loss. I think I may size them and install the checks to later lube them in the Lyman with no pressure to cause them to shave. An extra step but it may help.

It seems I fiddle with some bullets more than others setting the lube depth. Again it's partly related to some booger nose punch that may not let me push it far in enough before bottoming. Maybe not, that's where the fiddling comes in. I wished I took notes from the times before. I really, really dislike the gooey bottom issue until I find the right setting.

Just a part rant and part pleat for possible tips and tricks. Maybe I need to use the heater a little to warm the lube for better, easier flow. I did about 1500 of these a good while back but can't remember my combination of nose plug, gas checks, lube, and sizer press finesse. But I usually find it, need to make notes, I'm feeling old.