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Messages - rbwillnj

121
Star Reloaders / Re: Head fails to fully return
« on: March 05, 2019, 11:12:13 am »
If you remove #65 Lower Link Pin, does the head move freely up to the crankshaft assembly?   If it DOES NOT move freely with the lower link pin out,  then the failure to return might be just a dirty column, lack of lubrication or possibly a burr or ding on the column.   If it DOES move freely with the lower link pin out, then we need to look at some other things.

122
Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: 44 magnum
« on: March 02, 2019, 05:01:19 pm »
The 5/8" Adjustable is sold.   Still have the 1/2" adjustable.  It will throw 20 grains of 2400 max.   $100.

123
Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: 44 magnum
« on: February 25, 2019, 11:17:19 pm »
Anyone making star 44 magnum dies and adjustable 1/2 powder bars

I have 44 Magnum dies in stock and I also have a 1/2” adjustable powder slide.  A 5/8” powder slide would probably be better for 44 Magnum.  I have one of those also.

124
The vast majority of "Progressives" are 38 Special only.  A few are 32 S&W only and are marked as such.  "Universals" can load any pistol caliber offered by Star by using the appropriate shell plate, dies and primer parts.

The pictures below, illustrate the major difference between the two to aid in identification.

125
I guess I'm biased, but if you don't have enough room on the bench, I'd say sell the 550's and keep the Stars.

126
Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTS Star Universal in .223 - Sold
« on: February 03, 2019, 09:52:00 am »
Sold

127
Star Reloaders / Re: Removing tool head
« on: January 21, 2019, 02:40:19 pm »
Often, the taper pin has been hammered into the crankshaft assembly, deforming the column in the area around the taper pin hole.   With the tool head all the way down, try rolling a very fine file over the hole in the column on both sides.   You should be able to see if there is some raised metal around the hole.   Keep going until it's gone.

In some instances the keyway in the column gets buggered up.   You can run a flat file along the two sides of the keyway to see if there is any raised metal that has to be removed.  Also check the outside edges of the key way.   The key in the tool head doesn't usually contact the bottom of the keyway, so you probably don't need to worry about the bottom of the keyway unless you see obvious damage.

Bruce Williams

128
Star Reloaders / Re: Powder Slide Housing Cover
« on: January 04, 2019, 09:59:46 pm »
Yea, looks too small for bushing removal.  Maybe he was having a problem with his powder charges and wanted to see what was going on??

129
Star Reloaders / Re: Powder Slide Housing Cover
« on: January 02, 2019, 02:41:44 pm »
I haven't seen one, but I have heard of the modification.   If it's what I'm thinking of, the design is to allow you to change out a bushing in the powder slide without taking everything apart.

130
Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTS Star Universal in .223
« on: December 31, 2018, 08:52:48 am »
According to the Dillon website, only about 100 of the SuperStar kits were sold. I also have a copy of the original instructions.

131
Or if you have a tool head with the 3/8" hole at the taper crimp station, I can drill and tap it for the 11/16-24 die.

Bruce

132
I have plenty of them...…

Bruce

133
Star History / Re: Were Star's every made in 32 S&W Long or 38 S&W?
« on: December 19, 2018, 09:23:06 am »
Of Course, Star also made shell plates for the Rifle Machines Including;

22 Hornet
223
30-30
30-06
7.62 x 39
45-70
300 Win Mag


Probably others, but those are what I have seen

134
Star Reloaders / Re: Charge bar confusion
« on: December 15, 2018, 09:19:07 am »
1.) When Star produced powder slides they would drill a certain size hole then use a Taper Pin Reamer  to enlarge the hole to get the desired charge.  So, all of the holes are tapered.  Usually the large end is at the top of the slide, sometimes its on the bottom.   Your hole measurements have to take this into account.

2.) It was common practice for users to modify powder slides to get the charge they wanted.  Sometimes its obvioius that it's been modified, sometimes not, so you can never really trust the charge weight marked on the slide.


3.)  In my experiance, Bullseye powder slides always throw 0.2-0.4 grains more than marked.   This might be due to lot variation, but I think the powder has changed over the years.

4.)  All powders vary lot to lot.  The manufactures say up to 16%, though I have not found the variation to be that great.   Typically you can expect a +/- 0.1 grain variation from lot to lot.   So you really do have to manually check your charges periodically.

5.)  What we produce now, in all four sizes (0, 00, 1/2" & 5/8") are powder slides that use interchangeable bushings and we custom make bushing for the charge of your choice.  We use the published density for each powder (VMD) to calculate the hole size, so keep #4 in mind.


135
Star Reloaders / Re: shell plates
« on: December 11, 2018, 08:34:20 am »
NYKenn's list above is correct except that 40 S&W does not always fit in a 9MM/38 ACP Shell Plate.   For years I used a 9MM shell plate for 40 S&W, but I have since encountered a number of 9MM/38 ACP shell plates that would not work with 40 S&W.  The specs for the two shell plates ARE slightly different and Star did make separate 10 MM shell plate.   

Gerry,   The purpose of the shell plate is to hold the case in the proper position for sizing and other operations.  In addition to the dimensions of the cut out for holding the cases, shell plates for each caliber are a different diameter which allows you to ensure the cases are fully seated in the shell plate by adjusting the shell locator straps.

Just because you can fit a 44 case in a 45 ACP shell plate or a 30 Carbine in a 38 Special shell plate doesn't mean the shell plate is functioning as it should.