Messages

31

Star Reloaders / Re: Comparison of Genuine Star Dies with Wilson Replica Dies

« on: January 30, 2011, 08:05:26 am »

Took the Dan Wesson 44 Magnum Revolver with 8" vented heavy barrel out to the range yesterday to test the loads from the Star.
The best loads were the 8.5g of Unique with Lee Tumble Lube self cast bullets in 10:1 lead/tin.
It took about 12 shots to get the sights zeroed in then I shot 6 shot groups.
Here is a pictures of the targets at 25 yards, open sites from bags....  boringly accurate.
Shows what a good set of dies can do.... Thanks Dave!

32

Star Reloaders / Re: Primer die and primer die removal tool

« on: January 27, 2011, 01:45:20 pm »

Great Job Mike!
Thanks.

33

Star Reloaders / Re: Primer die and primer die removal tool

« on: January 27, 2011, 08:57:24 am »

I have both. The T handle one originated with my fathers first Star in .38. and extra head in 45 circa 1965.
The flat one came into being sometime later on. I would speculate, but not with certainty that the flat was an easier to make lesser cost item.

Ken, can you please post a picture of the flat one, perhaps next to the T handle so folks can see these two variants?\
Thanks
Art

34

Star Reloaders / Re: Primer die and primer die removal tool

« on: January 26, 2011, 02:53:32 pm »

That is the part known as #51 Primer Punch Bushing Screwdriver.  It is used to remove the #26 Primer Punch Bushing thru which the #24 Primer Punch Die passes.  The #24 comes in two sizes Large Pistol or Small Pistol.  I have a few Large Pistols that have a concave face on them for those old time rounded primers.   The illustration shows the screwdriver as a flat metal tool.  However all of mine are T handled rods.
I have never seen the flat #51...  it is a most often missing item with Stars.

35

Star Reloaders / Re: BEST WAY TO GO ON DIES

« on: January 25, 2011, 07:01:44 am »

I have 3 sets of Star Daves Dies (SDD's)...  44 Magnum, 38 Super Comp and 40 S&W.  They all work flawlessly and are true artisan items.
I really appreciate how Dave emulates, as close as possible, the original Lyfetime STAR designs and checkering.   They are very much in
keeping with the STAR look.  His expander plugs are really quite nice and durable.

That all said, I do think there is room for experimentation...

I would like Dave to consider, if possible, a Redding style competition micrometer seater seater stem adjustment.
Gilding the lilly?  Probably.

Art

36

Star Reloaders / Re: Primer Bushing Thread Size

« on: January 24, 2011, 09:45:18 am »

fc60
I have some dies/taps of that size, let me know for sure & I'll borrow 1 to you....

Dave: What brand and model lathe do you use?  I will be retiring soon and may want to get
a lathe. 

37

Star Reloaders / Re: CCI Large Pistol Primers getting sideways

« on: January 22, 2011, 03:13:07 pm »

I feel that polishing the inside of the magazine and refill tubes is a very good idea.  A bore mop with some Flitz, Wenol or Autosol metal polish will work good.
Or a coat hanger (straight part) with some 0000 steel wool and polish can do the job.  After all, some of these STAR machines are pretty up there in age and the crud and debris that accumulates takes it toll on them.

38

Star Reloaders / Re: Powder Measure Tube

« on: January 21, 2011, 06:08:41 am »

That is a good question to ask RBwillNJ (R. Bruce Williams).
He is the guy who has been crafting these replacement powder magazine tubes up.
He does a really nice job on them.  I have some new ones, from him, for about
2 years and they are not discoloring or reacting with the propellant (Bullseye, Clays, etc).

39

Star Reloaders / Re: CCI Large Pistol Primers getting sideways

« on: January 20, 2011, 05:26:42 pm »

Ok, then I would do the following.... were I you.
I would take a long metal rod, wrap the tip with 0000 steel wool and some bore compound or polish
and polish the inside of the primer magazine.  Then totally swab it out.  YOu may need to do this
with the pickup tube as well.  In fact do this with both.

Tell us how that goes...

40

Star Reloaders / Re: Powder Measure Tube

« on: January 20, 2011, 02:28:44 pm »

I know of no other source.

The tube material needs to be machined, (enlarged at both ends by the use of some sort of reamer tool in a drill press or lathe).

I just sent 4 sets of bases, baffles and tops over to RBWILLNH (R.Bruce) so that he can do the deed.

BTW, the material is hard.  The polycarbonate is hard and brittle so attempts to scrape it out by hand are VERY time consuming and
nearly futile.  Also shipping on one small length of Polycarbonate from McMaster Carr is prohibitive to make it worth while.

Just my 2 centavos....

Art

41

Star Reloaders / Re: CCI Large Pistol Primers getting sideways

« on: January 20, 2011, 02:24:33 pm »

Hummm.....
 

To be frank with you all, I have NEVER had an issue with CCI primers (modern manufacture) or any other brand (Rem, Fed, WW) in any of my Star machines.
How are you gathering up the primers?  In a real STAR brass primer feed/pickup tube?

How are you putting them from the pick up tube into the primer magazine tube?

If you can explain your equipment and method, we can perhaps help you out with a solution.

Thanks
Art

42

Star Reloaders / Re: My first Star

« on: January 19, 2011, 09:29:58 am »

Yes the 38 super comp (StarLine Brass) is a .223 rear end case, close but not quite like a .38 Super.
The rim on the supercomp is flush with the case wall and does not sit proud.
The Star with Dave's dies and Rich's shell plate does a great job.
I am using a Rich Daniel's adjustable 00 powder slide and am reloading with IMR SR 4756 with an 8.7g load.
This load functions the comp and popple holes and the Brazo's runs like a sewing machine with that load.

Just remember, with the STAR.... if the machine balks or locks up, first thing to check is the primer follower.
It acts like a safety... the plastic tip will fall into the primer feeder and stops the machine... many forget this.

Art

43

Star Reloaders / Re: Comparison of Genuine Star Dies with Wilson Replica Dies

« on: January 19, 2011, 07:16:11 am »

Guys:

Dave has done some wonderful work on dies for me, that are not "normal" in the Star world.

He has also produced a set of .38 SuperComp dies for me which are a wildcat variant of .38 Super.
He also has created some replacement die NUTS which are perfect in every way...

As far as accuracy is concerned, the .38 SuperComp dies are one-hole dies and if I try hard, with a two hand hold, I am normally under 2" 10 shot groups at 25Y. (the pistol is good too BTW).

The .44 dies will be used to feed a nice old Dan Wesson .44 Magnum hunter with 8" barrel.  A BLAST!

And again, thanks, and a hat tip, to all the great craftsmen out there who help us keep the old STARs burning "bright". (Richy, Dave, Ray, M.A., Rbruce)

Art

44

Star Reloaders / Re: My first Star

« on: January 19, 2011, 07:04:59 am »

Hi Rangedog:
I have the exact same setup as you...  in .38 SuperComp.  Dave's dies, Moon Unit indexer and case kicker.
It all works great.
Good luck with your new "old" Star machine.
I you have any questions, give me a holler as our set ups are essentially the same.

BTW what bullets are you shooting in .38 SuperComp? 
I am using the 125g Zeros or Montana Golds in a Brazos BCG Pro Sx.

45

Star Reloaders / Re: Rocker Arm Screw - Removal - Question

« on: January 18, 2011, 04:29:43 pm »

RBwillNJ:
Great advice on the screw.  The condition of mine was fine.  Totally agree with you about the neglect.
The last machine I purchased came with a slew of spare parts.... for some reason, the previous owner
stashed them but totally neglected the machine.  Even the dirt had dirt on it!  At least there was no rust.
But everything was caked with black GOOK.... residue of powder and graphite and oil gone dry.

I think I went thru about 300 Q tips and many rags and two cans of break cleaner on that baby.

It is now chugging out 9mm and never looked better.