Messages

136

Star Reloaders / Re: Charge bar confusion

« on: December 15, 2018, 09:19:07 am »

1.) When Star produced powder slides they would drill a certain size hole then use a Taper Pin Reamer  to enlarge the hole to get the desired charge.  So, all of the holes are tapered.  Usually the large end is at the top of the slide, sometimes its on the bottom.   Your hole measurements have to take this into account.

2.) It was common practice for users to modify powder slides to get the charge they wanted.  Sometimes its obvioius that it's been modified, sometimes not, so you can never really trust the charge weight marked on the slide.


3.)  In my experiance, Bullseye powder slides always throw 0.2-0.4 grains more than marked.   This might be due to lot variation, but I think the powder has changed over the years.

4.)  All powders vary lot to lot.  The manufactures say up to 16%, though I have not found the variation to be that great.   Typically you can expect a +/- 0.1 grain variation from lot to lot.   So you really do have to manually check your charges periodically.

5.)  What we produce now, in all four sizes (0, 00, 1/2" & 5/8") are powder slides that use interchangeable bushings and we custom make bushing for the charge of your choice.  We use the published density for each powder (VMD) to calculate the hole size, so keep #4 in mind.

137

Star Reloaders / Re: shell plates

« on: December 11, 2018, 08:34:20 am »

NYKenn's list above is correct except that 40 S&W does not always fit in a 9MM/38 ACP Shell Plate.   For years I used a 9MM shell plate for 40 S&W, but I have since encountered a number of 9MM/38 ACP shell plates that would not work with 40 S&W.  The specs for the two shell plates ARE slightly different and Star did make separate 10 MM shell plate.   

Gerry,   The purpose of the shell plate is to hold the case in the proper position for sizing and other operations.  In addition to the dimensions of the cut out for holding the cases, shell plates for each caliber are a different diameter which allows you to ensure the cases are fully seated in the shell plate by adjusting the shell locator straps.

Just because you can fit a 44 case in a 45 ACP shell plate or a 30 Carbine in a 38 Special shell plate doesn't mean the shell plate is functioning as it should. 

138

Star History / Re: Were Star's every made in 32 S&W Long or 38 S&W?

« on: December 06, 2018, 04:44:34 pm »

Several years ago I purchased a collection of reloaders that included a Universal in 38 Smith & Wesson.   If even included a Lifetyme carbide sizing die marked 38 S&W.   The rest of the dies were made by Star.

When I was putting together my collection, 32 S&WL was the most difficult caliber to find.   It was certainly a caliber that Star produced, but I think there just weren't that many Stars sold in that caliber, so fewer were in circulation.   Since buying Star, I have rebuilt and configured quite a few machines in 32 S&W Long.  It's a relatively popluar caliber among Bullseye shooteres these days.


Bruce Williams

139

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / WTS Case Feeder Cams/Actuators for Hulme Type Case Feeders

« on: November 29, 2018, 03:51:21 pm »

WTS New Case Feeder Cams/Actuators for Hulme Type Case Feeders.   $30 Each plus shipping.

Please email or call if interested.

Bruce Williams
Star Machine Works LLC

140

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTB Star Reloading Dies & Shell Plate in .45 Long Colt

« on: November 07, 2018, 10:36:34 pm »

I have them, shell plates too.

Bruce Williams

141

Star Reloaders / Re: Part Identification

« on: November 05, 2018, 09:56:42 am »

Sorry Steve,  I think it's long gone.

Bruce

If you find it i'll buy that one too. They work nice
Thankcyou
Steve

Thanks Steve,

I think I did have one like that come in a while back, but it wasn't in very good condition, so I think I pitched it.


Bruce

142

Star Reloaders / Re: Part Identification

« on: November 04, 2018, 06:44:28 pm »

Thanks Steve,

I think I did have one like that come in a while back, but it wasn't in very good condition, so I think I pitched it.


Bruce

143

Star Reloaders / Part Identification

« on: November 04, 2018, 03:39:10 pm »

Can anyone identify the parts in the picture.   I have two sets, they didn't come to me at the same time, or even together, so I don't know if the two different parts are related or not.   I am pretty sure however that they are Star related.   I assumed they were parts from some sort of indexer, but I'm not sure about that either.

Bruce Williams

144

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTB: vintage indexer as shown in the pic

« on: November 04, 2018, 02:35:53 pm »

I think they may have been made by several companies.  I don't believe that any I have encountered had a name or label on them, but my notes indicate that the one pictured below was made by Capital(?).

They fit on Phelps Reloaders and older Star reloaders with the one piece aluminum base.   They require modification in order to be used on later (post 1962) Star reloaders with the two piece aluminum base.


Not shown in the pictures, there is a long set screw that replaces the square head bolt that clamps the operating handle.   Attached to that set-screw is a tab with the other end of the wire attached.   When the handle is pulled, it pulls on the wire that goes around the large pulley, activating the indexer tab which pushes the cartridge from the seating station to the taper crimp station.   


There is a spiral clockwork spring under the big pully which is often broken.   I have seen a number of these where the owner has added a coiled spring to compensate for the broken clockwork spring.

These indexers cause the same wear to the steel base as a Brewster or Hoyer Indexer, but in a different location.


Bruce Williams

145

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / Re: WTB: vintage indexer as shown in the pic

« on: November 03, 2018, 07:51:50 pm »

Have to pull them out of the box, but I have a bunch of those.

Bruce

146

Star Reloaders / Re: Identify this part?

« on: October 26, 2018, 01:05:06 am »

I will have to pull one out for comparison, but it looks like part of an MA Systems Roto-Eaze indexer.

Bruce Williams

147

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / WTS Star Universal in .223 - Sold

« on: October 15, 2018, 10:10:15 pm »

This is a fully rebuilt and refinished Star Universal with a Dillon Super Star kit for loading .223

The price is $1200 plus shipping.   Let me know if you have any questions.  Please respond by email or phone.  Contact information is on the business card below.

Bruce Williams
Star Machine Works

148

Stars Want to Sell/Want to Buy / WTS Star Lubesizer Dies

« on: August 22, 2018, 09:39:25 am »

Moved to the Cast Boolets forum in Swappin and Sellin

149

Star Reloaders / Re: Bullet feeder

« on: July 27, 2018, 09:33:54 pm »

I have never done it, but I seem to recall a guy on eBay who sold an adapter to use with the Lee bullet feeder on a Star.  I don’t see it listed right now, and I have no idea if it actually worked.

Bruce

150

Star Reloaders / Re: Convert STAR Progressive to load 9mm ?

« 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