Reloading 223

[rlh]

Can you reload 223 ammo with Star universal press? If you can, what does it take? I have a spare Star I could dedicate for 223 loading.

[Joatmon]

I do not think you can load .223 on a universal without some serious conversion factors.  One of these is the powder throw capacity.  There used to be a Super Star conversion kit (Mike Dillon maybe?) that had longer pivot swing arms to provide the greater length of travel for the tool head, but these are not common to find.  To do these mods yourself would require some significant machine work.  The best way is to find a Star rifle machine, but those are about as scarce as hens teeth. 

[rbwillnj]

Just listed on eBay is a Star Universal with a nearly complete Dillon Super Star kit for loading .223.   It is missing the Dillon extra capacity powder magazine (see picture), and maybe one or both of the special shell locator straps.  Otherwise the kit is complete.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261242420968?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

According to Dillon's website, only about 100 of these were sold.   I use one to load .223 and it works well for powders that meter very well like H334 or VV 133.   It runs into problems with powders like Varget.

I full length size on a single stage press and only do a neck sizing on the Star.   Dillon recommended full length sizing before running it though the Super Star conversion.

It will be interesting to see what this press (not mine) goes for.   It looks very nice, and the Super Star kit is very rare

Notice the Case Feeder Piston and Top Plate.   I have duplicates of the piston available, and have duplicates of the top plates in process.   I have also made duplicates of the special shell locator straps.

[Joatmon]

Wow, Talk about timing.  Right after I say this will be really hard to find, then one shows up on Ebay.  Guess I know why I dont gamble much.  I put it on the watch list because I am curious to see how much it will go for.  Having the extra long size case feeder is a nice plus.  Do you mostly use H334 in your conversion Bruce?  That is what I ended up using in my 223 machine. 
John

[rbwillnj]

I am using H335 and VV133 for lighter weight (52 grain) bullets.  Both powders work well, but I haven't done much development work.  I'm using them mostly because the books I have suggested them for accuracy.   

My real goal is to develop loads for 69 and 80 grain bullets that are better suited for the twist rate of my barrel.   For those bullets I have some VV 135 and VV 140.  I was going to use Varget, but as I said, it doesnt meter well with the Super Star conversion.

[bwpsc]

Try AA2520 with 23.7 to 24.2 grains for the 80 grain bullets.
I use 23.8 with the 80s and 24.2 with the 77s.
You can't ask for a better metering powder.

Bryan

[rbwillnj]

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[cc656d]

And WOW talk about a pricy Star, $1700 plus change.

[rbwillnj]

It really doesn't seem that out of line, especially considering the rarity of the Super Star kit.   Only about 100 were sold, plus it was a nice press with two extra tool heads.  There aren't a lot of good options for loading .223 on a Star.

The Super Star kit was originally priced at ~$231.  I'm not sure exactly when it was offered, but I figure somewhere around 1980.  In todays dollars that would equate to $645.

If you look at the whole package, assuming it was purchased around 1980, it would have cost close to $2000 back then.   That's over $5000 in todays dollars.  Can you imagine spending over $5K to reload three calibers?   

[Buckhunter]

 :)I agree Bruce, The Star Universal looked really nice and the two tool heads
 were also very nice and then spare parts to go along, I thought it was a bargain
 at $1800.00.

 Buckhunter

[Buckhunter]

 I forgot to add that I'm sorry for not bidding more than $1800.00 myself.

 Buckhunter

[Joatmon]

I guess that I am not that surprised about the selling price.  The press looked really clean and everything was there.  You just don't see many of these showing up for sale, at least I have not seen many.  I looked for a long time and just found a rifle machine by accident a couple of years ago.  Plus, it did not look like this one.  It had been sitting in a barn for years, was covered with dirt and bird poop and was rusted solid.  Hopefully this one will perform well for the new owner.   

[johnfreeman]

Given the relatively small number of these and the age and desirability, I'm kind of surprised it didn't go for more.

[John4740]

Dillon made 200 kits total does anyone have the dillon powder magazine for sale?
John4740