StarReloaders.com Discussion Forum
Star Reloaders Discussion Forums => Star Reloaders => Topic started by: M21 on December 13, 2009, 04:58:29 am
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As the subject says I have recently gotten a Phelps Loader and want to up grade with a case feeder, and find out the differences. Hopefully I won't get struck by lightning by posting this here.
Thanks
John
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Oh I don't think you will get struck by Lightning for asking that question, I'm sure there are plenty of Phelps users who visit the forum. By the way, Welcome to the forum.
I have had four Phelps reloaders pass through my hands. Of the various Star copies, the Phelps is the truest. Nearly every part on a Phelps is interchangeable with a Star, and except for the resale price, the differences are mostly cosmetic (and I say this as a devout Star user).
Phelps made a number small design changes in an effort to reduce machining costs. Of the four Phelps I have owned, no two were exactly alike, but the changes were not material to the function of the machine. Phelps made his dies on a screw machine, and the dies don't have the same quality machined appearance as Star Dies, but I haven't loaded enough rounds on a Phelps to say there is any difference in how the dies function. Phelps also made his own carbide sizing dies. As to the quality of the Phelps reloaders, I would say they are very close to the Stars, but some that I have owned were maybe not quite as tight as the Stars I have owned. Whether this was due to manufacturing tolerances or ware, I can't say for sure.
Phelps reloaders typically sell for 1/2 to 2/3rds to price of a Star in comparable condition.
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The Phelps rifle unit had a manually operated powder measure, at least on the one I knew about.