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Topics - FOR_Star

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1
Star Reloaders / Lifetyme Two-Stage Carbide .38 Spl Sizing Die
« on: January 31, 2022, 03:53:58 pm »
Some time back, I received a 2-stage carbide .38 Special sizing die as part of a Star parts bundle listing I purchased from an online auction website.
The outside appearance is the same as a "regular" Star Lifetyme .38 Spl carbide die, except for the "2S" marking between Lifetyme and .38 Spl.  This particular die was evidentially originally stamped as a regular 38 die, then restamped with the "2S" and a second .38 Spl marking.  On the inside, the second carbide ring is clearly visible.

A couple of questions for the group:

  • What are the situations or circumstances for needing to use the 2-stage sizing die when loading .38 Special ammo?
  • If there is goodness gained from using the 2-stage die, can/should it be used for loading .357 Mag ammo?

I remember reading long ago that the Star dual-ring ("two-stage") .45 ACP sizing die was a specialty die just for very thin-walled cases.  (Certain Remington cases, I believe.)  I don't recall hearing about when the dual-ring .38 Special die is called for.

2
Star Reloaders / Dimensions for M-A Systems Eject-Ease Part
« on: January 27, 2022, 04:21:54 pm »
Could anyone provide the dimensions for the "Case Retaining Bracket" that is part of the M-A Systems' Eject-Ease case ejector system?
It's basically an "L" bracket that attaches to Star part #79U [Shell Base Locating Strap] using a slightly longer than OEM 8-32 screw.

I'd like to fabricate one to use for on my Universals.

Or, if someone had an actual "spare" one, I would be interested in acquiring it.

Thanks!

3
Star Reloaders / Half the Mounting Holes Drilled Out to 3/8"
« on: June 24, 2021, 03:25:14 pm »
Acquired a new-to-me Star Universal.  Everything looks original and in good condition, but does need a good cleaning, fluff & buff, and lube.
I'm curious as to why a previous owner would drill out the two "front" mounting holes to 3/8".  Has anyone seen a mounting arrangement that needed the front holes opened up to 3/8"? Some sort of quick-disconnect arrangement?

Could make using a Ray-Vin indexer more challenging, I guess.

4
Star Reloaders / Detent Ball - How much spring tension?
« on: December 29, 2020, 07:00:02 pm »
Just removed and cleaned the detent ball after it started sticking in the down position. (Parts # 52, 53, & 54)
When reassembling, is there a protocol for how far to screw in the brass plug (#54), thereby adjusting the spring tension on the detent ball?
Or, do you simply screw the plug in all the way (max spring tension)?  (The brass plug unscrewed easily, but I didn't take note if it was fully screwed in or not when I removed it.)

Thanks.

5
Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Loading Hi-Tek coated bullets
« on: December 05, 2020, 02:12:43 pm »
I have some Hi-Tek coated bullets (9MM & 45ACP) on backorder from Brazos Bullets here in Texas. When they arrive I'll enter the world of loading coated bullets.
One style of 9MM I ordered has no lube groove ("NLG"), while the other 9MM style ordered has traditional lube grooves ("LG").  The 45 ACP bullets are H&G 68 type (LG).
Anyone have experience loading Hi-Tek coated bullets on their Stars?
Do the standard Star expander plugs work well? Folks using Dillons & other progressive presses seem to favor a Lyman M type expander, according to what I've read.
Would appreciate hearing comments from some Star folks who have been loading coated bullets. Did you have to have a custom expander plug made to get good results?

It seems that commercial casters are mostly using Hi-Tek coating as their standard "lube". 

Thanks

6
Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Loading Plated Bullets
« on: December 19, 2018, 05:09:28 pm »
I've never loaded plated bullets, but have recently picked up some 9MM plated (not coated) bullets at Holiday discounts.  For trial, I got 3 different types and/or weights.  One brand is .356 & the other is .355.

These will be for plinking & informal target shooting, loaded to approx 1,050 fps.

My question really is related to expanding/seating and crimping.  Anybody have experience loading plated bullets on their Stars?  Any particular advise on expanding (I have a stock Star 9MM expander plug), or on crimping (have a stock Star 9MM taper crimp)?

Has anyone found it beneficial to use a modified or 'custom' shell expander plug (i.e. - steeper taper or M-Style) to avoid scraping the plating?  Any need to champher the inside of the case mouth, something I usually don't do for pistol cases.

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

7
Star Reloaders / Star-made shell plates
« on: October 23, 2017, 10:11:51 pm »
On original #13 Shell Plates produced by SMW, was any form of surface treatment [for rust prevention or aesthetics, not related to hardening] applied prior to the front and back faces being ground & polished?
Hot bluing, black oxide, other metallic coating, bead blasted, etc.?

8
Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / WTB Moon Unit Indexer
« on: May 19, 2017, 09:00:32 am »
I've never used an indexer, but would like to try the Moon Unit version.
Anyone have an extra (new or used) they would like to sell?
I understand that Mr. Brandes is offering new ones for sale again, but thought I'd check the membership first.

Thanks.

9
Star Reloaders / Bullet Feeders
« on: May 18, 2017, 08:11:28 pm »
I'm curious about bullet feeders for Stars.  I've read the various discussions, and looked at the available pictures, regarding the bullet feeders that were once available (Hulme, MA Systems, Reloaders Equipment Company).

Has anyone successfully adapted something currently available to the Star?

Anyone fabricated a feeder that would place the bullet in the case mouth at the seating station and, therefore, still allow taper crimping separately?

I know there are lots of opinions/arguments on this topic, but if a person wanted to utilize a bullet feed system on a Star Universal, what would be the the best path to take.

Calibers would be the most common, say 9 MM, .38/.357, .45.  Bullets would be both cast & jacketed or plated.

Thanks for your input.

10
Star Reloaders / Extra Threaded Die Hole in Tool Head
« on: January 27, 2017, 02:28:06 pm »
A while back I saw a "Star" tool head on Ebay that appeared to have an extra threaded die hole.  It was in the position where the empty cases are inserted. (Where a Hulme case feeder is mounted)

Anyone familiar with this or how this mod would be utilized?

Sorry, I don't have a picture.

EDIT -- 1/29/17  -- found a picture

11
Star Reloaders / Are .38 Spl Seater and TC dies OK for 9MM??
« on: November 29, 2016, 11:59:02 am »
Will a .38 Spl crimp die [#18] work acceptably for seating (with no crimping) 9MM Luger cases?  Is a longer Bullet Seater [#20U] needed due to the shorter cases?  [this is the seater/crimp die that came from Star as part of a .38 Spl toolhead with a Lifetyme carbide sizing die]

The #18 crimp/seater dies weren't marked for caliber (at least not .38 Spl), so did Star use the same crimp die for 9MM & .38 Spl/.357 Mag?

Will a .38 Spl Taper Crimp die [#18T] work for crimping 9MM Luger cases?  As with the #18, the #18T was not marked for caliber.

Thanks.

12
Star Reloaders / Decapping Pin Assembly
« on: September 22, 2016, 08:33:29 pm »
When securing the decapping pin into the end of the assembly (which screws into the resizing die), should you use two set screws (one on each side) or just one?

13
Star Reloaders / Lifetyme Sizing Dies
« on: September 12, 2016, 02:48:12 pm »
Anybody know if there are Lifetyme sizing dies for Stars that are "plain steel" dies (NOT carbide)?

Particularly curious about 9MM Lifetyme sizing dies.  Were Lifetyme 9MM resizing dies available in both carbide and plain steel in the 11/64-24 thread configuration?

Thanks.

14
Star Reloaders / Shell Expander Plug Modifications
« on: August 06, 2016, 06:07:57 pm »
Are Shell Expander Plugs (#16) too hard to modify via some lathe work?
I have an extra .38 Spl Expander and was curious if it could be modified to work as a 9MM expander.
The diameter of the expander "barrel" would need to be reduced by around .003 and the "barrel" length would need to be shortened to better approximate the seating depth of the 9MM bullets.
If this was done, would this make the OAL too short to work with the 9MM cases? (Shorter cases need longer Expander Plugs)
Anyone been successful converting a .38 Spl Expander to use with 9MM?

15
Star Reloaders / "Bushing" Inserts at Sizing & Seating Stations
« on: May 16, 2016, 05:42:58 pm »
See Picture.
What is the reason for the doughnut-like insert in the base at the sizing and seating stations?
Can it be replaced?  If so, how?

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