Messages

976

Star Reloaders / Two Stage Sizing Dies

« on: December 21, 2005, 02:16:25 pm »

I have two, Lifetyme two stage sizing dies, one in 38 Special and another in 45 ACP.? They are both marked 2S after the caliber marking, and both have two carbide sizing rings inside.? ?Does anyone know what the idea is behind Two Stage Sizing Dies?? What's the benefit?

977

Star Reloaders / Re: New Member Intro and Questions

« on: December 19, 2005, 06:19:14 am »

If the sizing die is not marked Lifetyme, than it is not Lifetyme, but could still be a carbide die.? You would need to check for a carbide ring which should be clearly visable,? ?I have one carbide die marked "Perfection" RLS which is blued steel.? I also, have a couple of carbide dies from Star Machine Works of Pioneer California (Not the original Star).? One of these dies is clearly marked Lee, so I'm sure it is a turned down Lee die.? The other is only marked with the caliber.? ?I have two original Star (non-carbide) dies.? they are hardened steel, (but not blued).

As for the decapping pin, the sizing die should have a screw in piece in the center with a decapping pin at the end.? The decapping pin is held in with a set screw.? If it is only missing, the pin, you can substitute the correct diameter drill rod.? If the die is missing the whole decapping assembly, you may be able to get one from Star Machine Works in Pioneer.

The 45 ACP machine should have a taper crimp die.? Taper crimp dies were availabe for 38 Special, but are rare, and I have never seen one on a Progressive, only on Universals.

The machined parts of a Star are often brownish with a rust stain, but they clean up remarkable well.

If the machine had an indexer on it, you should remove the shell plate and look at the base below the shell plate.? Machines with indexers were sometimes exposed to a great deal of hard use (like in a police station) and they can develop a substantial ware pattern below the shell plate.? This can be a problem if it has developed an indentation in the base which catches the shell base as you are trying to advance it from one station to another.? ?Sometimes the indentation can be polished out sufficiently to eliminate the problem.

978

Star Reloaders / Re: Magma Engineering's Star Reloader

« on: December 18, 2005, 02:50:01 pm »

First, lets make sure we are not getting the various machines Star produced confused.  Star made both Reloaders and Sizer Lubricators.  The former for reloading metallic cartridges, and the later for sizing lead bullets to the correct diameter.

Magma Engineering bought the rights to manufacture the Sizer Lubricator, and they produce a machine that is essentially identical to the machine manufactured by Star.  In fact, I have used Magma Engineering parts to repair old Stars.  As you said, Magma sells their machine for $195 without dies or bullet punches.   The last time I checked, they sell dies for about $35 and bullet punches for $12.50.   The typical price on Ebay for a Star Lubricator Sizer with one die and one punch is about $175.   If you look around you may be able to find one at a gun show for $100, but they get snapped up very quickly.   Star/Magma Lubrisizers are still the best machines out there.

The Star Reloader was acutally selling for about $1000 by the time Star went out of business.   Prices for reloaders vary considerable depending on condition, caliber, and included accessories.  I'd say that a Star Universal in 45 ACP, in good condition and with a Hulme Case Feeder should bring upwards of $600. 

979

Star Reloaders / Powder Drain Block

« on: November 03, 2005, 07:43:51 am »

I have no idea where you could find one.  I have one that came on one of my machines, but I stopped using it.  I found it was easier to just remove the tool head and flip it over to empty the powder magazine.

I use a "hairpin cotter pin" to retain the lower link pin.  Just unhook the tool head spring, press out the taper pin, and pull out the lower link pin, and you can pull of the crank shaft assembly and tool head in seconds.

While you have it apart, its not a bad idea to remove the thrust nut and clean up the floor base and primer assembly.

980

Star Reloaders / Powder Drain Block

« on: November 02, 2005, 09:54:20 pm »

What information are you looking for?  I have one that came on one of my Star Reloaders.   It says Pat. Pend. on it, but doesn't have a company name on it.

981

Star Reloaders / New Star owner needs help getting started

« on: October 29, 2005, 05:44:24 pm »

There is another member of the fourm, Richard Daniels who makes adjustable charge bars.  Its probably better than trying to gather an assortment of charge bars via ebay auctions.   You can contact Richard via Private Message, or email.  Just look for him on the member list.  

John Paul Jones used to have a stock of powder slides and may still.  He often sells things on ebay under the name star0reloader0mentors.  He includes his email address in his listings.

982

Star History / Star Shell Plates and Dies Catalog?

« on: October 28, 2005, 12:42:34 am »

OK, so lets add to the list

1.)   32 Long, 32 Mangnum
2.)   32 ACP
3.)   30 Carbine (same as 32 ACP)
4.)   .380, .223 (also the same as 38 Super Comp.)
5.)   9mm, 38 ACP, 38 Super, 40 S&W
6.)   38 Special, 357 Magnum
7.)   41 Magnum
8.)   44 Special, 44 Magunm
9.)   45 ACP
10.)  45 Auto Rim
11.)  45 Long Colt

Any More?  How about the Super Star 223? Was that a separate shell plate or did it use one of the others.  Was there a 380 Auto Shell Plate?

983

Star History / Star Shell Plates and Dies Catalog?

« on: October 26, 2005, 09:17:48 am »

Does anyone have a complete listing of the dies and shell plates that were offered by Star?

I'm also looking for information on interchangeability of Star Shell Plates.  I don't know if interchangeability is the right word, but basically, what I want to know is what calibers can be loaded with which shell plates.  Here is what I have so far.

1.)   9mm, 38 ACP, 38 Super, 40 S&W
2.)   38 Special, 357 Magnum
3.)   41 Magnum
4.)   44 Special, 44 Magunm
5.)   45 ACP
6.)   45 Long Colt

What other shell plates were offered?  Can the above shell plates be used to load any additional calibers?

984

Star History / Powder Slide Cam

« on: October 09, 2005, 11:27:04 pm »

On early models of the Star Reloader, the powder slide cam was attached directly to the base.  Later, the powder slide cam was attached to a seperate aluminum support that was attached to the base with three screws.  

Does anyone know when and why this change was made?

985

Star History / Shell Plates and Dies

« on: September 05, 2005, 12:43:41 am »

EagleMike,

Since you have the experiance, and also have a machine shop, have you ever considered making Shell Plates and Dies for Star Reloaders.  We could really use a reliable source.

986

Star Reloaders / How does it work?

« on: August 17, 2005, 05:38:07 pm »

There were, and are auto indexing attachments available, but I have never used one.  I'm right handed, so I simply hook the shell thats in the sizing station with my thumb, and flip it to the priming station.  That's all there is to it.  Its just as fast, and a lot more dependable than the auto indexing on my Lee Loadmaster.

I have seen mixed reviews on the auto indexers, but if you are going to buy a machine, I would definately look for one with a Hulme Case Feeder.  It's a very worthwhile addition, and they are hard to come by if you don't get one with the reloader.

987

Star Reloaders / Instructions for Hulme autofeed and indexer

« on: July 26, 2005, 11:54:05 am »

You can find the original instructions for the Hulme Automatic Case Feeder in the Photo Album on Star Reloaders.com  http://forum.starreloaders.com/album_cat.php?cat_id=8

988

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Loading the lubrizer

« on: July 10, 2005, 01:58:54 pm »

You do not need lube sticks with holes down the center for Star Lubrisizers.  Unlike the Lyman, RCBS and others, the pressure screw does not go through the lube on the Star.  Put the lube stick in first, then put the pressure spring assembly in over the lube stick, and push it down.

I don't think it will hurt if you use sticks with holes, but I have never tried it.

Remember, if you use one of the newer hard wax lubes, you will need a heated base, and even with the older lubes it helps to heat the base a little to get things moving.  Most of the oldtimers just use a light bulb.

989

Survey Says... / What caliber do you reload most?

« on: July 10, 2005, 09:03:17 am »

I currently load 45 ACP, 38 Special and 357 (with seperate heads) and 40 S&W.

I recently came into a Berdan tool head and I am in the process of setting it up for 9mm using standard 7/8-14 dies.  In the same deal, I purchased a Star shell plate and dies for 41 Magnum.  Now I need a gun.  

I'm still looking for a 45 Colt changeover.

990

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Loading the lubrizer

« on: July 10, 2005, 08:51:05 am »

After you remove the pressure screw, unscrew the small rod (pressure screw handle) that is used to turn the pressure screw, flip the pressure screw over and insert it upsidedown into the lube chamber.  Then thread the top end to the pressure screw onto the pressure spring piston rod, and use the pressure screw nut (the cap) as a handle to pull the pressure spring assembly out of the the lube chamber.