Author Topic: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?  (Read 10913 times)

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bulletmen

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Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« on: July 03, 2018, 05:59:53 pm »
Is it possible to convert a STAR Progressive to load 9mm ammo ? New shell plate and dies of course. Make a plug for drop out hole . What else ?

Guess it would work OK as is for 32 S&W Long with dies and shell plate ?

Just picked up another Progressive and was thinking of an option.

Happy Independence Day !

rbwillnj

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2018, 01:21:08 am »
The steel base of a Star Progressive is a smaller diameter than a Star Universal.   Most 9MM shell plates won't actually fit on a Star Progressive.  Larger calibers definitely won't fit.   Also, the Progressive is designed to drop the finished round out the bottom, and there is no place to remove a loaded round from the side.   Since the 9MM round is rimless, it is held in the shell plate by its extractor groove, and cannot drop out the bottom of the machine.

You could machine the rim of the steel base so a 9MM shell plate would fit, and you could machine the rim of the steel base so the finished round could be extracted from the side.  You would also need to come up with a base plug that would fit the Progressive, and a way to hold it in place.

Bruce Williams
Star Machine Works LLC
Star Machine Works
Star, the original blue Press.  Made by machinist, not machines.
www.StarMachineWorks.com

fc60

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2018, 01:15:59 pm »
Greetings,

Is the machine 38 Special; or, the less common 32 S&W Long?

32 S&W Long cases would not be a good fit in the 38 Special Progressive without adding the straps common to the Universal machines.

Cheers,

Dave

bulletmen

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2018, 06:22:53 pm »
It is a lightly used 38 Special. From playing with a couple of machines I guess it might be possible to use it to load 38 ACP ( with proper size die). Would like to maybe dedicate it to 9mm ?

z4lunch

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2018, 05:05:57 pm »
I have a 38 progressive I load  38 super on it, with the 38 special shell plate
Steve

bulletmen

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2018, 03:47:28 pm »
Tried running a few 38ACP cases through the 38 Spl shell plate, worked OK. The cases dropped through the hole too. Guess a 38ACP size die and adjust the expander carefully and it should work OK. Thanks to all for the feedback.

Rolling Stone

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2018, 06:38:23 pm »
I had to shorten the expander on the one I have set up for 9mm. The length of the expander lets it hit the bottom of the case before it expands the mouth without shortening.  Look on my old posts for more info on the conversion.

bad apple engineering

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2018, 07:59:34 pm »
Is it possible to convert a STAR Progressive to load 9mm ammo ? New shell plate and dies of course. Make a plug for drop out hole . What else ?

Guess it would work OK as is for 32 S&W Long with dies and shell plate ?

Just picked up another Progressive and was thinking of an option.

Happy Independence Day !
I hope This helps currently making 9mm kit comes with shell plate,new expander,  carbide resizing die ,bullet seating crimp die , and a drop through plug. check out you tube video reloading 9mm on a star press . thank you  [no e-mail]@.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZWlrM0B0CI

NYKenn

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #8 on: December 17, 2018, 08:07:43 pm »
Bad Apple

Did you machine the base to accept the locator straps?

The video shows the Star w/locator strap right in the front.
These were found on the Universal,  not the Progressive.


"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"

bad apple engineering

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #9 on: December 17, 2018, 10:09:46 pm »
the shell plate is 3.625 dia i have 2progressives 1 universal, will fit universal a little loose on the out side and,  the press i patterned them off both have the drop through hole

Scott L

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2018, 04:57:07 pm »
Not all progressives are identical:
The ID of my progressive base is right on 3.620. As you can see from the picture below of the 9mm shellplate the ID would need to be turned alittle bigger to give the 9mm cases a little clearance. Dimension across shellplate is 3.622.

Scott L

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #11 on: December 27, 2018, 05:00:10 pm »
A few years ago Dave made me a 9mm conversion for my Universal. He does beutiful, accurate work!!!

I have a .38spl progressive that I machined slots and added locating straps to the base to make it easier to remove 38spl cases in the event of a non-conformance.



NYKenn

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #12 on: December 27, 2018, 05:03:22 pm »
Nice job on the cut-outs, and the screw adjustable straps!

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"

z4lunch

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2018, 10:39:45 pm »
Very nice... Straps look just like the ones on my RL1000.)
Steve

varmintpopper

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Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2019, 07:56:07 pm »
With different dimensions on some of the shell plates, Has anyone had a problem with the primers lining up properly with the case head primer hole ?

Good Shooting

Lindy