Messages

1

Star History / Re: Star Price History

« on: April 24, 2014, 09:54:48 pm »

Hi, just ran across the price list and instructions for my first Star Universal. CATALOG AND PRICE LIST - January 1, 1956.
Progressive Reloading Tool 38 special  $150.00  Universal Progressive Reloader   $170.00   Extra toolhead for one caliber including shell plate  $50.00   HENSLEY AND GIBBS moulds - 2 cavity $12.50 4 cavity $22.50 6 cavity $37.50 10 cavity $62.50.
Star Lubricator and Resizer  $38.00. This was bought through the Houston Police pistol range by Lt. Swearingin for me. At the time the waiting period was very long and usually when the machine came in the buyer was no longer interested so they would offer them to members of our Bayou Rifles pistol shooters who used the police range on Wednesday nights for Bullseye competition. I now have ten stars and two Phelps including the Star 223 machine. Still looking for others. It's a disease with no known cure.   DDStraitwell

2

Star Lubricator & Resizers / Re: When did Star add the Jam Nut to the Lubesizer

« on: February 07, 2014, 12:13:30 am »

Just checked a Star Lubricator I bought from Star and was delivered to me in August 1972 and it has the jam nut. I have several others that I have not checked but I don't know when they were originally bought so that does not help there. They were all bought from others. I know for a fact that this was delivered to me in August 1972.   Don Straitwell

3

Loading Data & Reloading Procedures / Re: Need Load suggestions for 45 Long Colt LSWC Bullets

« on: October 08, 2013, 12:09:15 pm »

Hi, i'm currently loading my 45 Colt loads for cowboy action. Using a 200 gr LRFN bullet and 4.2 gr Alliant Red Dot in a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk with 6 1/2" barrel my 50 foot two hand groups are under an inch. This load is in the 650 fps range and not critical in my gun whether the powder is agains't the bullet or settled to the primer end of the case. 4.5 gr Red Dot also works very well with the 200 gr LRFN
Don

4

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTB - .44 magnum dies...

« on: August 21, 2013, 01:28:50 pm »

There is a new set of 44Magnum/44 spl. dies with shell plate on e-bay right now. The bidding is going on for two more days. They are rather pricey.

5

Star Reloaders / Re: Cartridge Tubing

« on: June 24, 2012, 03:56:29 pm »

For tubing (one size fits all) for the Star you can call Ed Broadback in NJ  -  973 366 5988 -He has sold me a batch of five, I believe, and they are the right size for all standard cartridges in the star. The funnel thing you mentioned is a "freeloader" (I use several). Don't know who might have them. They work fine but require a different device to put on the  machine to make them rock back and forth. Call me if I can help you get what you need.  DDStraitwell  713 643 8834.  Love them Stars Let's keep them working!

6

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: Star press for 38/357 for sale maybe?

« on: May 29, 2012, 06:56:20 pm »

Hi to all - my two cents worth. The crankshaft assembly (#62) is a Phelps. The tool head on all my Stars have a groove above the sizing die between the lower link arms (this does not). The primer slide cam on the  Phelps is thicker as is the base itself. This press appears to be in good shape but I detect from the picture a little rust on the link arms and on the handle. That being said I still believe the press and all the additional parts are worth at least $300 - $350. I don't really need another but would offer $300 for all. The $100.00 offer was an insult. The press is definately a universal also. Have nine now but I'm still upset about the one that was destroyed when my barn/shop burned last August. Keep thinking replace - replace. I know it's a disease with no known cure.   DDStraitwell 

7

Star Reloaders / Re: Super Star reloader

« on: May 21, 2012, 06:53:43 pm »

Thanks for the reply Bruce. Does anyone know where I could get the Hulme feeder for the 223. I'd rather buy one than try to make  it myself. Case feeders really make the loading easier as your hands don't tend to get confused as to whether bullet, brass, case or ??  Best wishes to all     Don

8

Star Reloaders / Re: Super Star reloader

« on: May 21, 2012, 01:13:24 am »

Many thanks for your comments on the Hulme feeder. Is there such an adaptor available? Can one be made?  Money is not the object when we want to upgade these great machines. I want to make sure this machine is going to the right group of people when I go to that shooting range in the sky. Since I bought this Star I found the Star rifle machine listed in one of the Reloading Digest publications. It was listed for $1200.00 in this issue. If you would want a copy of that page I'd scan and send it to you. I don't remember the issue year but I know where the book is.  Best wishes   Don

9

Star Reloaders / Re: Super Star reloader

« on: May 20, 2012, 09:43:05 pm »

Thanks for your reply. I think  you are right, it will be more trouble than it's worth. My case feeder for 223 on my Dillon 1050 works fine and I can load nearly three times as many as on the Star, but it's NOT A STAR!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone else with ideas feel free to comment.
DDStraitwell

10

Star Reloaders / Re: Super Star reloader

« on: May 20, 2012, 03:41:41 pm »

Regard the Star rifle machine (.223Rem) I bought last February: I finally had a set  of bushings made for it (4) and the one throws 25.3 gr H 335 which is my favorite load for the 55 gr FMJ. I've loaded quite a few rounds on it but would like to improve on it by adding a case feeder. The machine is drilled and tapped for the Hulme case feeder which I have on five of my stars. Does anyone out there know if a case feeder will work on the 223 Rem on this machine? The adapter on top of the Hulme feeder would be the item in question - then would it work !! Anyone with ideas??? This is not a need item, just as usual a want item. Sometimes our toys need improvements. Anyone else wanting pictures of this machine feel free to e-mail.   DDStraitwell

11

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTB... 2 star reloader aluminum base plates

« on: April 21, 2012, 06:35:44 pm »

For what it's worth there is a gentleman in NJ - Ed Broadback- who has a world of parts for the Phelps machines. A lot of these will interchange with the Star parts, some are a little diffirent. Siince parts are in short supply I'll give you his e-mail address and you can contact him if the parts are not available from Star sources. I talked to him just before sending this and he has shell plates for the Phelps. His e-mail is   fast8eddie  at verizon dot net   .  He is very knowledgeable on this type of machine and may be able to help anyone looking for parts. I have many Stars and two Phelps so I know a "little" about these machines. I have Dillon 1050's and 550's BUT they are not Stars!!!  If you have trouble contacting him my e-mail is    dstraitwell  at  aol  dot   com.     DDStraitwell

12

Star Reloaders / Re: Super Star reloader

« on: February 09, 2012, 10:21:14 pm »

To all who have enlightened me on what the Star machine I purchased really is -  Thank You  -  The history of these machines is really kept alive by folks like you. Thanks again. I've sent pictures to several responders and feel free to send them on to others. If any one wants special pictures, just e-mail and I'll try to add to the history of the diffirent changes in the  machines.  The pictures from Bruce show that there are several changes in the powder slide assembly.  Thanks again.   DD Straitwell

13

Star Reloaders / Re: Super Star reloader

« on: February 09, 2012, 12:43:48 pm »

Regards the purchase  of the Super Star machine. I log into e-bay on the "star reloading" item often. The other night this machine was listed late at night and I saw it near midnight. It had a buy now price. I thought about it for 5 seconds and told myself "once in a lifetime"-don't hesitate on this one. I hit the buy and confirm button and held my breath - "you've bought this item" it said. I now believe in instinct buying. It finally sunk into me that these are fairly rare, and I was really lucky to find it. I don't know anything about the history of this machine but it is definately a star machine with whatever modifications they may have made to it. I've sent pictures to several members and maybe they can add comments about it.  Love these Stars !!!    DD Straitwell

14

Star Reloaders / Super Star reloader

« on: February 09, 2012, 12:59:47 am »

I purchased a Super Star reloader in 223 Rem Caliber. It arrived yesterday and I've loaded over 400 rounds on it to test it's performance. It has RCBS neck sizing die, RCBS seating die and a Lee "factory crimp" die in it. The powder bushing in the machine is for 26.7 gr Win 748 powder. After the initial cleaning of the machine, testing the powder charge, primer feed ,etc. I loaded nearly 50 rounds of 55 gr FMJ without even clamping it down to the bench. All my cases had been cleaned, sized and primer pockets swaged ahead of time. I could have loaded twice as many on my Super 1050 in the same time frame, but this is a STAR. This makes seven stars and two Phelps for me (we  old kids need toys too). Got my first Star in the late 60's and love them. If any one out there knows where I can get extra bushings for this machine please let me know. I need one for 25.3 gr H 335. Anyone wanting a picture, or pictures of this machine, send me your e-mail and I'll be glad to send them. This is the first super Star I've ever seen outside of pictures. My e-mail is   dstraitwell at aol.com. Thanks for looking.  DD Straitwell

15

Star Reloaders / Re: Original Phelps Owners Manual

« on: February 02, 2012, 02:28:27 pm »

Dave, I e-mailed you a gentleman's name and phone number who has a world of information on Phelps reloaders. If you didn't get the e-mail contact me and we'll try again.   DDStraitwell