Messages

1

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Size of expander plugs

« on: July 12, 2024, 11:22:19 pm »

I am wondering about what diameter size below the diameter size of a given projectile should the expander plug be and is there a difference between cast bullets and jacketed bullets.  Like for a .452 lead bullet….should the expander plug be .451, .450 etc.  I think I need to expand my cases more to keep from resizing my lead projectiles by forcing them into a case that’s too narrow.

Ideas??

2

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Rebuilt Powder Magazines

« on: June 18, 2024, 11:22:49 pm »

I just got two of them from Bruce and they are awesome!!

Brian M.

3

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: .45 Brass small primer thorn.

« on: May 19, 2024, 08:14:02 pm »

Sorry to take so long to respond…. When I process my 45 ACP brass, I use my Rock Chucker and RCBS dies.   This is before I run them through my Star because of that small primer problem and it allows me to clean the primer pockets which is an additional check for small primers.

4

Star History / Re: No more Star Greasers....

« on: February 29, 2024, 12:12:45 am »

I just noticed that Magma is gone.  I think I ordered the very last die about 3 weeks ago but I forgot to order the top punch and tried to call on Monday…no answer.  It’s a real shame that yet another family-run shooting company has gone away.  Any ideas where I can find a .223 top punch?

5

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: .45 Brass small primer thorn.

« on: November 29, 2023, 04:49:10 pm »

This is one of the reasons why I always process my brass entirely before I load.  I size, decap, clean the primer pockets, sonic clean, dry then tumble before I even think about putting them in the Star.  I know it takes a ton more time but I actually enjoy reloading especially in the winter.

6

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: Glass powder measure

« on: November 29, 2023, 04:45:31 pm »

I bought one but haven't put any powder in it yet.  The glass really isn't fastened to the aluminum base very well though.  It is basically a pressure fit on cork so it seems like it could slip off pretty easily.  I am thinking that I will glue the glass to the aluminum base which should fix it.  The shutoff seems to be decent although you will still need to catch whatever powder is still in the powder slide and just below the valve so probably 2 charges or more will still drop after you close the valve.  Anyway, for the price, I don't think it's too terrible.

My 2 cents....

Brian

7

Star Reloaders / Reloading 22 TCM

« on: November 28, 2023, 07:23:40 pm »

In the spirit of my quest to load all of the pistol cartridges that I shoot on my Star equipment, I have (with a tremendous amount of help) gotten a setup to load the tiny 22 TCM.  First, Manuel Cepeda designed the most challenging part which is the powder spout.  I sent him a hand full of casings and he spent over a month designing a spout that could put 10.6 grains of H110 through the .222 opening with nearly 100% accuracy.  His design is very ingenious and works perfectly.  I am seeing less than half of 1/10 of a grain variance between charges.  I designed the top plate of my Hume case feeder using Tinker Cad and had another buddy of mine print it on his 3D printer and presto, I can feed the 22 TCM case!  I then borrowed the .223 shell plate from my Dillon Super Star Conversion kit and I am cranking out the TCM almost as fast as I can shoot them. 

I would really like to thank Manuel Cepeda for helping me with this project!

8

Star Reloaders / Re: 223 conversion parts

« on: November 10, 2023, 08:58:18 pm »

Might be mission impossible to load 223. Missing too many specialized pieces   I have managed to set up machines in 45 acp 40 S&w 9 mm 38 super 44 magnum 10 mm 38 special all with adjustable powder bars mostly hoag.  Also have the B&G mounting base.   Most important lots of spare parts

There just so happens to be some .223 arms on EBay right now…

9

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Star Universal in 45 ACP

« on: July 26, 2023, 02:06:15 pm »

How much are you asking?

Brian

10

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Re: Rich Daniels

« on: February 19, 2023, 08:37:03 pm »

I just got an email from Rich Daniels a week ago and he is still alive however, he isn't making parts anymore, is selling only what he has in stock, and told me that he has 22 complete machines that he wants to sell as a package.  He said that he rarely goes to his shop since COVID started.

Too bad, because I've bought adjustable powder bars, shell plates, and Hume case adapters from here. 

Brian

11

Star Reloaders / Re: Text Files

« on: January 18, 2023, 06:11:18 pm »

I just checked and the PDFs are still available at that link!

12

Star Reloaders / Re: DIY case kicker

« on: September 14, 2021, 08:57:20 pm »

Your design looks great!  Would you be willing to share the dimensions and materials so I can build one too? 

Brian

13

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: lub & sizers, + bullet molds

« on: November 03, 2020, 08:54:22 pm »

Any still available??

14

Star Reloaders / Re: Hulme case feeder dimensions

« on: October 15, 2020, 11:00:57 pm »

You are correct, I have loaded 41 mag but nothing larger.  I will call my machinist and get mine modified.

Thanks!

15

Star Reloaders / Hulme case feeder dimensions

« on: October 15, 2020, 06:57:52 pm »

I recently started reloading 45 Colt and 44 Magnum and have the shell plates, expander dies, and the case feeder adapter for the Hulme case feeder.  The problem is that the case feeder is too narrow to let either case drop into the feeder.  The rim of either case is too large.  My question is how much do I need to widen the case feeder to allow the 44 and 45 cases to be fed.  Also, if I have the case feeder opened up to accept the bigger bore cases, will it adversely affect feeding the 45 ACP, 38 special, and 40 auto cases that work now.