Topics

1

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Primer Choice in Star Progressive

« on: May 01, 2024, 05:07:16 pm »

A dear friend of mine had extensive experience with a very early Star Progressive, loading wadcutter for PPC.  He insisted that it would only work well with a particular kind of primers.
My Progressive dates from the early ‘60s, having been reviewed in the first edition of Handloaders Digest and acquired from John Amber’s estate.  I’m wondering which if any brands of primers I should avoid or particularly seek out so it will “run its smoothest”.
Regards & thanks,
Froggie

2

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Star sizer w/ Lee TL Bullets

« on: November 29, 2021, 11:18:05 am »

I’m wondering whether anyone here has actually tried using a Star sizer (and a die with all lube holes open) to size and lube any of the bullets of the Lee Tumble Lube design?  I’d like to just kiss the perimeter of some Lee 32 gr TLWCs and fill those tiny little grooves. Am I barking at the moon?

Froggie

3

Star Reloaders / Seating SWCs on my Progressive.

« on: May 15, 2021, 07:49:03 pm »

Many years ago I bought an old Star Progressive that came from the John Amber estate.  It was/is set up with Hulme case feeder but otherwise out of the box stock, equipped to reload mid range 38 wad cutters for Bullseye competition.    I don’t shoot very many 38s and though we got the press up and running several years ago, it mostly languishes in my basement. 
During one of several abortive attempts to start using it once again, I contacted Bruce and purchased but never installed a seater to seat semi wad cutters rather than the current full wad cutters. My question is (if we ignore powder charge for the moment) do I need to do anything else besides change the seating die to convert from WC to SWC loading?
Sounds stupid I know, but keep in mind I’m barely making the jump from 310 tools to single stage and turret presses.

TIA ~ Froggie

4

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Replacement Sizing Dies

« on: July 29, 2019, 09:54:41 pm »

I have the possible opportunity to acquire an old Star lubricator/sizer in a trade.  My question is, how difficult will it be for me to get a .313" sizing die to go in it?  I'm not interested in "original" but would very much like for it to be a proper fit if I'm going to go to the trouble to set this up, and would like for it to actually throw a true .313" product.  In the current market, is such a thing available and if yes, how much should I expect to have to pay for it?
Thanks in advance for any help and guidance you may provide.

Froggie

5

Star History / False Rumor Exposed

« on: March 25, 2019, 11:39:54 am »

I was horrified to read on another shooting and reloading forum that the owner of Star Reloading had died and all of the parts stock had been sold.    I quickly scanned this forum and looked for any hint of confirmation, but of course there was none, so I went back and asked whether it was possible that the OP might be mistaken or have incomplete information.  Within hours, Bruce appeared on that forum and essentially stated that "Reports of my death..."   

The phrase "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone!" came to mind.  Once again I was reminded of how blessed we who are interested in the Star Progressive Presses are to have Bruce and several others who are making it possible for us to maintain our machines.  I just thought I'd stop by and express my gratitude for all of you who are keeping the Star Tradition alive.  It has to be a labor of love and we who are its recipients should be very grateful.  I know I am! 

Charlie Shaeff
the Green Frog

6

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Powder Cutoff WTB

« on: June 04, 2014, 09:38:44 am »

Is Maurilew (or anyone else) still making the powder reservoir cutoff/drain for use on the Star Progressive™ press?  I'm stumbling along trying to get my press up and running to see me.

Froggie

7

Star Reloaders / Progressive in 32 S&W

« on: October 03, 2012, 01:30:39 pm »

Hello all,

     I posted the following as a response to another thread but only got one response to it, so I thought I would start a new thread devoted to it.

"Since the 32 S&W L is smaller than the 38 Spl, I am wondering why it wouldn't be relatively simple to convert a Star Progressive (not Universal) to this caliber.  Is it the shell plate?  Something else?  Inquiring minds...     

Froggie"


I know there were a relatively small number of Universal Progressives built in 32 S&W Long, but wonder specifically whether I could buy or have built the parts to make my unused 38 Spl Progressive into a highly useful 32 S&W L?  Would the cost be totally out of sight? Would a Universal be significantly less expensive to buy either as or a 32 or to convert to 32?  I would love to hear from anyone with experience in this direction.  I've only had a couple of (relatively discouraging) comments on the topic here or elsewhere to date.  Thanks in advance!!

Green Frog

8

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 

9

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

10

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