Messages

46

Star Reloaders / Re: Lifetyme Two-Stage Carbide .38 Spl Sizing Die

« on: January 31, 2022, 04:37:56 pm »

Greetings,

It has been many years, so hopefully my memory does well.

The early Remington and Western 38 cases had thin walls. (Ammo loaded for Match Shooting.)

The standard sizing die did not reduce the diameter enough to allow a friction fit with the bullet.

This was at the time where 38 Special bullets were sized from 0.354" - 0.360".

The autoloaders were common to 0.356" and smaller groove diameters. The Revolver was usually 0.358".

So, Star had some "2S" dies made up. The lower ring just sizes the case minimally. The upper ring sized the neck portion smaller to allow proper seating with the bullet.

I do not think it would offer any benefit to 357 Magnum cases.

Cheers,

Dave

47

Star Reloaders / Re: Two additional accessories for a Star - what are they?

« on: December 29, 2021, 07:54:06 pm »

Greetings,

The "tee" handle wrench is to remove the primer bushing when changing from large to small; or, vice versa.

Cheers,

Dave

48

Star Reloaders / Re: New to me 2 star reloaders and sizers

« on: November 29, 2021, 03:38:58 pm »

Greetings,

I Googled sources for Ruby bearings and was unable to find any close to what diameters we need.

The scary part is most companies ask that they be contacted for a price...

While Ruby does look pretty, I will stay with good old Carbide for the time being.

Cheers,

Dave

49

Star Reloaders / Re: Indexer-Broken Spring

« on: November 03, 2021, 07:32:07 pm »

Greetings,

A photo would help greatly.

Cheers,

Dave

50

Star Reloaders / Re: Star progressive conversion

« on: October 14, 2021, 12:06:03 pm »

Greetings,

Aluminum will work for a temporary setting.

I use a piece of 0.750" tool steel and machine it to length. No need to harden it.

Cheers,

Dave

51

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: FOR SALE --- 9mm Shell Plate

« on: October 02, 2021, 12:01:50 pm »

Sold, pending funds.

Cheers,

Dave

52

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / FOR SALE --- 9mm Shell Plate

« on: October 01, 2021, 11:23:19 am »

Greetings,

I have for sale a 9mm Shell Plate.

It is not dimensionally correct.

The hole in the center is oversize (1.257")

I tested it on my machine and sized and primed several cases with no issues.

However, it is not genuine Star quality. The hole is oversize.

$65.00 plus postage.

Cheers,

Dave

53

Star Reloaders / Re: New to me 2 star reloaders and sizers

« on: September 16, 2021, 01:44:22 pm »

Greetings,

The sizing die might have a Ruby insert.

We used to use them in Specimen Holders for Electron Microscopes due to their very low coefficient of friction.

Never thought of using one for sizing brass.

What diameter do the sized cases come out?

Very interesting...

Cheers,

Dave

54

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Star reloaders amd dies for sale

« on: June 20, 2021, 04:04:07 pm »

Greetings,

You have a Treasure Chest of tools.

What is the machine painted Green on the left side of the bench?

I also spied some Star greaser dies; so, there must be a Lubrisizer lurking nearby.

For prices, the basic machines are selling on eBay. Just search for Star and click on Sold items for a price range.

The hydraulic press will be a bit of a Unicorn. Not something for the casual user.

The RCBS dies, if complete, will sell for a premium at the current eBay auctions until the supply chain replenishes itself.

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Dave

55

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Re: New Star Sizer adjustments & recommended lube source

« on: April 26, 2021, 07:51:25 pm »

Greetings,

Since 1976, I have been using the Tamarack NRA 50-50 lube. Now out of business and the Alox used has been discontinued I bought some LBT Blue Soft.

My cast bullet rifle friends use LBT with excellent results.

The LBT Blue Soft is advertised to function in a Star without heat. I still turn on the heater since it is 50 F in the Mann Kave. Have not tried it in warm weather just yet.

https://lbtmolds.com/Products/tabid/5806/Default.aspx

Scroll down about half way and you will find the lube section.

Try some. If you do not like it, selling it is not a problem.

LBT is much cleaner to handle than the old NRA 50-50 formula. Less smoke, also.

Cheers,

Dave

56

Star Reloaders / Re: Star Dies

« on: April 04, 2021, 01:33:40 pm »

Greetings,

The expander plug and powder snout are 0.500-27 UNS.

Cheers,

Dave

57

Star Reloaders / Re: In process of converting to 45acp.... got a shell plate that prob. isn’t right

« on: March 15, 2021, 11:37:05 am »

Greetings,

The 45ACP sizer can be used for 45 Colt.

Check the seating die for identification. 45 Colt was stamped "45 C" on some I have seen.

How is the shell plate identified? If genuine Star, it will be stamped "45 Colt" or "45 C".

Photos of the suspect parts would be a great help.

Cheers,

Dave

58

Star Reloaders / Re: Powder Measure

« on: February 27, 2021, 03:42:57 pm »

Greetings,

Dillon, there may be other brands, has a case actuated powder dispensing system.

One of the reasons folks have moved to the Star.

The Star dispenser is remarkably consistent. Especially with very small charges of powder. i.e. 1.25 grain of TiteWAD.

Cheers,

Dave

59

Star Reloaders / Re: Help

« on: February 10, 2021, 07:02:05 pm »

Greetings,

Start by gently running your finger tips up, down, and everywhere trying to sense a raised burr.

With the press mounted to a solid bench, apply black felt pen to the shaft and let it dry.

Next, gently attempt to place the tool head only on the shaft.

If it sticks, stop and remove it.

Now look for wear marks on the felt pen application.

All of the above is with the assumption that all the parts are Star. No Phelps pieces.

Go slow and observe any abnormalities.

With good fortune, it may just be a burr.

Cheers,

Dave

60

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: 357 magnum load data question

« on: January 14, 2021, 07:51:54 pm »

Greetings,

A while back, I was gifted about 2,000 32 HBWC that had been stored in a wet climate. They were ugly. White crust on them and the lube consumed by the elements.

I gave them the Lube Massage with Lee Liquid Alox and shot them up.

One day, I tested some at 50 yards in a machine rest. They still shot X-ring.

Use caution. If the bullets have a white crust on them it is likely Lead Oxide, which is VERY POISONOUS. Wear disposable examination gloves when handling them and wash up well.

Cheers,

Dave