Super Star reloader

[DDStraitwell]

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

[angus6]

Was wondering if someone from here got it , came across it after the fact. Enjoy would have been hard not grab if I'd seen it first 

[DDStraitwell]

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

[rbwillnj]

Congrats on the SuperStar.   According to Dillon's website, only about 100 were sold.  I'd love to see pictures of yours.   What was the eBay listing number so we can search for it.

I finally managed to put together a complete SuperStar kit last year.   I purchased various parts from numerous sources over a period of about four years.   The last group of parts came from a guy in Germany who purchased a large lot of parts on eBay at a price far higher than I was willing to pay.  Fortunately, he wasn't after the SuperStar parts and I was able to work out a trade.

Attached is a copy of Dillon's SuperStar advertisement which I obtained from our administrator.   It used to be posted in the now defunct picture library on the sister site, http://www.starreloaders.com/.

[rbwillnj]

DDS

As mentioned in my email, what you have is a Star Rifle Machine, not a SuperStar.   We are all very envious

[angus6]

Don, Thanks for the pics , hadn't been seachering Stars lately as I've been after 1050 items. Guess thats what I get for slipping 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

DDS

As mentioned in my email, what you have is a Star Rifle Machine, not a SuperStar.   We are all very envious

I'm a bit confused.  Does he have one of the two Star rifle machines or a Dillon Super Star kit that has been put on a Star pistol machine?

More decades ago than I can now remember I wrote a review of the Dillon Super Star kit for either Gun Digest or Handloader's Digest.  That, of course, was Mike's first product.  And it is the one pictured in the flyer.  I also owned both a true Star rifle machine and the Star 223/pistol unit, which were very different machines.

[angus6]

Ken if I've got a bunch of pics of it , if you e-mail me I'll forward them to you

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Got the pictures.  That is definitely NOT a Super Star.  I haven't seen a Star rifle machine in 15 years or so but I think that that is what this is.  Unfortunately, however, I don't remember the difference between the extremely rare Star rifle machine and the Star 223/pistol machine.

Several years ago I sent all my photographs to
http://www.antiquereloadingtools.com/forum/index.php?sid=93e63bb4686edd3b31a784c8eb48b1f5
they could undoubtedly come up with pictures of all the Star models to confirm that this is a true rifle unit.

[Joatmon]

I found one of the rifle machines set up in .223 about a year ago.  If you do a search on "rifle machine"  there was a fairly long thread posted about it at that time.  There were some pics posted on that thread by me and by Bruce.  The one that I found was in tough shape but I did get it cleaned up and it seems to work just fine.  I would like to see the pics of yours if you can send them.  I can drop you my email in a PM.  On mine the top of the die casting is stamped R15, I am guessing that it may be the 15th one that was made, but that is just a guess.  Does yours have a serial number stamped on it? 

PS,  I have no regrets buying it since I have never seen another.  Nice score.

[DDStraitwell]

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

[DDStraitwell]

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

[LeupoldMRK4]

I tried setting my Hulme feeder with Chevron  up for 44 mag with a lot of miss feeds.  It seems the weight of the cases stacked on top of each other causes the top of the case to stick while the bottom gets pushed out.  I tried to cycle fast and slow with no luck.  This caused alot of miss feeds for me. The only way I got it to work is only fill the tube with a few case at a time. 

I gave up and took the hulme feeder off and put it away in a box.

[DDStraitwell]

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

[rbwillnj]

DDS,

As we established earlier, your machine is the very rare Star Rifle machine, not the Dillon Superstar conversion. 

That being said, the Dillion Superstar conversion kit included a unique replacement ram for the Hulme.  It also included a Hulme top plate for feeding .223.  Together they feed .223 flawlessly.

Bruce