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Messages - Green Frog

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46
Star Reloaders / Bullet Change
« on: September 13, 2011, 12:07:55 pm »
I know this is going to be a rookie question, but here goes.  :-\ I've got a 1950s-60s vintage Star Progressive that has been used almost none at all, and always to load .38 mid-range wadcutters.  I would like to load some slightly "warmer" rounds, using a slower powder than the 2.5 Bullseye charge currently in place and a semi-wadcutter.  I've done considerable reloading on a variety of presses, so I am assuming that this change will be pretty easy, and could be accomplished with just a change in the powder bar and the bullet seating plug.  Is this correct, and if yes, where does one currently go for these parts with the minimum of fuss and muss?  ???

TIA for any and all help!
Froggie

PS Not that it relates to the current question, but I think I've doped out a great merger between the current Lee case feeder and the Hulme, making a more stable connection for more positive feed than some others I've seen.  Pictures will come when it is complete.  GF  :)

47
Star Reloaders / Re: new owner ... lots to learn
« on: September 22, 2010, 02:46:08 pm »
Does anyone remember who was making that powder cut-off and selling it on e-Bay?  I have been looking for a couple of weeks now and haven't seen one advertised (now that I have my press operational and decided I want one! ::) )

TIA ~ Froggie

48
Star Reloaders / Re: Star Press Mounting Solutions
« on: September 10, 2010, 06:11:02 pm »
Ken,

I have seen some pictures of the B&G base and it looks like a good solution, but kinda hard to find these days.? Unfortunately there are no aftermarket mounting solutions for Star Reloaders at this point, so each user has to find their own solution that fits his work space.? I think that's why Ray started this thread.

With primers dropping out the bottem, and loaded rounds sometimes droping out the bottom, and sometimes comming off the last station, a good mounting system for a Star creates different challanges than those of other reloading presses.

In the picture below, the bin on the front right is for empty cases, the bin on the back right is for primed and flared cases (to get started with) the bin on the left front is for bullets, and the bin at the left rear is for loaded rounds when they are taken off the last station.  This press is currently set up for 38 Special, so the loaded round drops through the hole in the last station (plug removed) to fall into the drawer.  When I am taking loaded rounds off the last station, I use a much larger bin for loaded rounds.

As I was doing a thread-by-thread search of the site, I found this entry with what appears to be a beautiful oak box/stand for a Star press.  My question for the poster (rbwillnj) is whether the wood is bolted down to the table beneath it or whether the weight of the box, machine, and contents is sufficient to make that unnecessary.  I hope to make a similar stand and need to factor that into my planning.  

TIA ~ Froggie

PS  OOPS!  I must be getting cross eyed from looking at so many threads.  ::) I see the special stands now.  I guess the question remains, though, of how are they attached to the stand?? ???

49
Star Reloaders / Re: My Progressive almost there
« on: September 10, 2010, 07:39:51 am »
Thanks for the offer of a tube loader, rbwillnj, but I don't want to make this thing any more complex at this time... if I could just get a couple of tubes for the existing Hulme, I think that would be enough for now... along with making the changes needed to load the bullet I want to use at a power level appropriate for the situation.  If I then get going with a lot of loading, perhaps a tube loader or other "advanced" accessory will be more attractive and become "necessary." 

Does anyone want to comment on the usefulness of and consistent charges from the adjustable charge bars in the smaller (0) size? At first glance buying one of these for the range of, say Unique or Bullseye powder I need seems like a logical move for me at this time.  Also, should I be able to change a seating plug, or do I need a complete seater die with plug to use the longer nosed 357156 instead of the die for flush seated wad cutter currently on the press?  I have used these features on other types of presses and dies, but am not familiar with those for the Star. 

Thanks again for all help received and still coming!

Froggie

50
Star Reloaders / My Progressive almost there
« on: September 07, 2010, 09:32:26 pm »
Well, thanks to the efforts of friend Dale53, my like-new 50 year old Star Progressive is up and running.  Everything for basic operation to make .38 SPL midrange wadcutters with 3.0 of BullsEye is present and tested.  My Hulme Case Feeder is fine except for the still-missing case feed tube... I guess I still need to find the right clear tubing to make it work totally correctly. 

The rest of the story is that I would like to "pump up the volume" and load somewhat hotter loads with perhaps 2700 or other higher pressure powder and use the Ideal 357156 semi-wadcutter bullet.  What I need to know is whether I should be able to just change a seating plug and the (#0) powder slide to make this work, or if not, what else?  Continuing, is this a good and logical use of the Star Progressive, and are there any safety issues I need to be aware of?  Also, once adjusted, can I switch back and forth between the lighter, target charge and the more stout "social" charge by simply changing the powder bar (assuming seating depth is checked out as OK) and have two loads with that one alteration?

Before you think I'm a total loony newbie here, I have loaded on gear from Ideal tong tools through C- and O- presses to turrets to Dillons (the last of which admittedly I didn't set up for myself.)  What I am trying to do here is make sure I don't do anything wrong (or irreversibly wrong) in setting this particular sequence up for this purpose with what for me is a totally foreign operating system.  As I calculate it right now, I need to find and purchase the tube for the case loader, a seater plug for the different bullet nose (or perhaps a whole seating die assembly?) and the #0 size powder slide(s) in the proper capacity for my desired load.  What if anything am I missing here?  Is there a safe and reliable adjustable charge slide available in the smaller, #0 size?

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance!

Regards,
Charlie Shaeff
the Green Frog

51
Star Reloaders / Convert Progressive to .32 Mag?
« on: March 27, 2010, 11:24:41 am »
I have seen mention made of a Star Progressive press in .32 S&W long (probably flush seated wadcutters for international competition in CF)  Can anyone tell me how difficult (and expensive) it would be to make this conversion using my current .38 spl Star press, and whether I could make it for the longer .32 H&R Mag with a semi-wadcutter bullet?  What I have in mind is .32 Mag with the classic Lyman/Ideal 3118 bullet.  TIA for info and ideas!

Froggie

52
Star Reloaders / Another Newbie
« on: January 02, 2005, 04:52:50 pm »
I am new to this site as of today.  I was able to buy the Star Progressive Press in .38 SPL that was in the John Amber estate sale.  Supposedly it was sent to him for review for the original Handloader's Digest and was used just enough for that test.  It is set up with the Lifetyme TC sizing die and a seater for semiwadcutters, and had the Hulme Case Feeder installed.  Other than being dirty from long storage and having lost the upper block and tube from the case feeder it seems ready to load ammo.  I'm looking forward to trying it out and to reading this forum for ideas and sources.  Thanks in advance for all the help I know I will glean from this site.  :D

Regards,
Charlie Shaeff
Green Frog

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