Messages

466

Star Reloaders / Re: 7.9x33 question

« on: February 05, 2013, 11:57:16 pm »

I'm not sure what you mean by clear the casting?   As I recall, when you use 7/8" dies, in some cases you might need to slightly modify the powder slide housing for clearance.  It's been a while since I did anything with 7/8" dies.

If you are using a Star shell plate, you will need to turn down the end of the sizing die so it can enter the recess in the shell plate.   If you use a Phelps shell plate, you "might" not have to turn down the sizing die.   

Your case will go up into the tool head when the tool head is all the way down.   You will need a custom powder spout.  Likewise you will need a custom expander.

It's not a trivial exercise...............but not impossible.............but probably not particularly cheap either.

467

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Re: Older Star sizer seized- need assist..

« on: February 04, 2013, 02:52:34 pm »

randrbullets,

Can you post a picture of the pin you are referring to?     Most Star sizers have a cast and machined crankshaft that goes through the aluminum casting.   On the right side there is a collar that holds the shaft in place.  The handle goes through the shaft and the collar.   Take a look at parts diagram from Magma Engineering.   http://www.magmaengineering.com/PDF/Star_Sizer.pdf

Having said that, I have seen a picture of a very very old Star sizer where the chrank shaft was made in two pieces.


Jim S

Its better if you start a new topic rather than add on to a non-related topic

I have an older Star Sizer that has a main part seized. The part in question is the shaft that holds (1) the handle on the right and (2) the actuator arm that moves the punch up and down the two vertical shafts. There appears to a pin of some type running through the center, as it is visible on the left and appears to go through almost to the right, just shy of the part that holds the handle. Newer Stars and Magma's do not have this pin. Also, this Star is mounted with an air-powered actuator ram that activates the "handle" for lack of a better word. It has worked fine since I bought it a couple of years ago, keeping in mind, that I use it everyday.

Question is- Can I punch out this pin with a drift type punch and not cause any damage or is there something else that needs to be done first. Any help would be appreciated. If anyone wants a picture of the set-up with the air ram, I can supply one. The operation is great at saving the strain/repetition on my right arm.
Thanks in advance- Rick at R & R Bullets, Maitland, ONtario Canada.

468

Star Reloaders / Re: 7.9x33 question

« on: February 04, 2013, 10:33:56 am »

Rolling Stone

Just looking at the drawing, it looks like you might have to open up a 45 ACP shell plate a bit.   The case opening on 45 ACP shell plates I have measured run .400" to .405"

A 5/8" powder slide with a .476" hole will drop a 23 grain charge of IMR 4198.  Actually getting that powder into the case might be a different issue.  I'm not familiar with the flow characteristics of IMR 4198.  With a powder like H335 and the appropriate powder spout it wouldn't be a problem.

Based on your drawing, the length of the loaded round is less than a .223 round, and the measurement to the top of the shoulder is shorter than a 30 carbine case, so you should be able to cycle it through a Star.   A number of us load .223 on a Star.  With pickup brass, I always size it in a single station press first.  You don't have as much leverage with a Star as you do with a typical single station press.   If you don't have to do a lot of sizing, you might be able to do it in the Star, but you would need to lube the cases.

I do have some Star, and some Phelps tool heads drilled and tapped for 7/8-14 dies.

Bruce

469

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: Reloading information for a Universal Machine

« on: January 28, 2013, 05:57:19 pm »

Wow!   That's like the ultimate turret press.  Not a Star, but I have no idea who made it.

I can see where it says Universal, but I can't make out the other line of text.

470

Star Reloaders / Re: Advice for the n00b

« on: January 27, 2013, 10:02:06 am »

I'll kick things off John, I'm sure others will have something to add.

There are only two models of Star reloaders that you are likely to encounter, the Progressive and the Universal.  The Progressive is for 38 Special and .357 Magnum only, and the Universal can be set up to load all common pistol calibers, and even .223.   The easiest way to distinguish one from the other is the presence of absence of shell locator straps.  (see pictures below).  Universals have them, Progressives do not.

If you want to load all three calibers (9MM. 38 Special and 45 ACP) on one machine, you will need a Universal, plus dies and shell plate for each caliber, plus primer parts for large and small primers.  You can take it a step further by having extra tool heads for each caliber.  That way you won't have to reset the dies each time you change calibers, just install the appropriate primer parts and change shell plate and tool heads.   One step further would be a small primer machine and large primer machine.

Don't dismiss the Progressive.   They are typically less expensive than a Universal, and a very worthwhile investment if you load a lot of 38 Special.

As for choosing a machine, once you have decided what you want, it all comes down to condition.

Bruce

471

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Shell Plate Wanted, 40 S&W ACP

« on: January 25, 2013, 12:46:19 pm »

I think that if you can find an original Star 9mm or 38ACP/Super shell plate, it will work fine for 40 S&W.  Every one that I have had would work for for all three calibers.

I have never actually seen a Star 40 S&W shell plate.   I do have one that is marked 10 MM.

Sorry, I don't have any available for sale at this time.

472

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Wanted to Sell Starr Presses and Accessories

« on: January 17, 2013, 05:49:05 pm »

If you look at the picture of the two Star Reloaders you can see that the one on the left has one of the decapping assemblies installed.
I did contact Don.  Everything has been sold..... which is probably why he hasn't been heard from.

473

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Wanted to Sell Starr Presses and Accessories

« on: January 17, 2013, 04:10:30 pm »

I don't know about the long silver thing, but the other two items are Forster Unversal decapping assemblies.   They can be uses as a replacement for the Standard Lifetyme decapping assembly.....but I don't know why you would opt to use them.   I don't think they Forster makes them anymore.

474

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: wtb star universal tool head

« on: January 04, 2013, 10:07:24 pm »

I have several

475

Star Reloaders / Re: Grain Bar

« on: January 04, 2013, 08:21:05 pm »

What bullet are you loading?   3.9 grains of Bullseye would be an OK load to use with a 200 grain lead semi-wadcutter.  A little bit lighter than I use, but an OK load.   You might need to install a lighter recoil spring, but it depends on what's causing your jams.

Make sure you weigh your charge so you know what you are actually loading.  I don't want you to get hurt!

476

Star History / Re: Star Price History

« on: December 30, 2012, 11:07:56 am »

Thanks George.

Anyone have a price list that pre-dates 1945?

477

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTB: 7/8-14 tool head

« on: December 29, 2012, 11:24:18 am »

I have some.

478

Star Reloaders / Re: Packing for shipment ?

« on: December 11, 2012, 11:31:27 pm »

Bolt the base to a piece of plywood, remove the spring anchor hook, and do everything you can to keep it from moving around within the box.    I use a 20" double corregated cube, and isolate the Star with boxes full of styrofoam peanuts.   Styrofoam peanuts by themselves are of little use.


Correction, I use an 18" double corrugated cube.

479

Star Reloaders / Re: Surprise Packages

« on: December 11, 2012, 07:01:25 pm »

Bump   

Still hoping to hear from someone via Private Message

480

Star History / Re: Star-Hensley and Gibbs

« on: December 02, 2012, 06:56:43 pm »

I have Star price lists which include prices for Hensley and Gibbs molds, but until I saw that listing on eBay I did not know that Star also marketed them under their own name.   I assume Hensley and Gibbs made the mold on eBay.