Recent Posts

Well, thanks to the efforts of friend Dale53, my like-new 50 year old Star Progressive is up and running.  Everything for basic operation to make .38 SPL midrange wadcutters with 3.0 of BullsEye is present and tested.  My Hulme Case Feeder is fine except for the still-missing case feed tube... I guess I still need to find the right clear tubing to make it work totally correctly. 

The rest of the story is that I would like to "pump up the volume" and load somewhat hotter loads with perhaps 2700 or other higher pressure powder and use the Ideal 357156 semi-wadcutter bullet.  What I need to know is whether I should be able to just change a seating plug and the (#0) powder slide to make this work, or if not, what else?  Continuing, is this a good and logical use of the Star Progressive, and are there any safety issues I need to be aware of?  Also, once adjusted, can I switch back and forth between the lighter, target charge and the more stout "social" charge by simply changing the powder bar (assuming seating depth is checked out as OK) and have two loads with that one alteration?

Before you think I'm a total loony newbie here, I have loaded on gear from Ideal tong tools through C- and O- presses to turrets to Dillons (the last of which admittedly I didn't set up for myself.)  What I am trying to do here is make sure I don't do anything wrong (or irreversibly wrong) in setting this particular sequence up for this purpose with what for me is a totally foreign operating system.  As I calculate it right now, I need to find and purchase the tube for the case loader, a seater plug for the different bullet nose (or perhaps a whole seating die assembly?) and the #0 size powder slide(s) in the proper capacity for my desired load.  What if anything am I missing here?  Is there a safe and reliable adjustable charge slide available in the smaller, #0 size?

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance!

Regards,
Charlie Shaeff
the Green Frog

Greetings Wayne,

On the Star Parts List, the item you seek is #16, Shell Expander Plug. If you need one for 45 ACP or 38 Special, I am sure someone on the list has a spare. Should you need one for a different caliber, I can machine one for you. I need to know the bullet length and diameter.

Cheers,

Dave Wilson

The dies I have are  3 and 4 die sets,belling the case mouth is my quandary along with typing. Dave where can these belling dies you suggest be obtained?

Greetings,

I would suggest using the Star 1/2-27 threaded expander.

Cheers,

Dave Wilson

The belling station for the Star has a shell expander that was designed to hold the shell
 down, bell it and seat the primer without stressing the shell plate. Another manufacturer's die won't do that.

I recently bought a phelps die head which is drilled and tapped for 7/8x14 dies but only the sizing and seating/crimping positions are 7/8.What is conventional wisdom for the mouth expanding position.I wrongly assumed I could use a normal die set with this head.Thoughts solutions?
Wayne

Wayne,

Perhaps I don't understand your question.  But why can't you decap the primer and size the case at the first station without belling the case mouth? 

-s

I recently bought a phelps die head which is drilled and tapped for 7/8x14 dies but only the sizing and seating/crimping positions are 7/8.What is conventional wisdom for the mouth expanding position.I wrongly assumed I could use a normal die set with this head.Thoughts solutions?
Wayne

Greetings,

The files are linked below...

http://home.comcast.net/~fc60net/ROTO_EASE/ROTO_0001.jpeg
http://home.comcast.net/~fc60net/ROTO_EASE/ROTO_0002.jpeg
http://home.comcast.net/~fc60net/ROTO_EASE/ROTO_0003.jpeg

Cheers,

Dave

Greetings Wayne,

The photos helped a lot! I now know my axle is homemade (a cheap bolt). I will now machine a proper looking axle from piece of hardened steel.

The spring is a complicated piece of work. I will call MA Systems and order a correctly made one.

I suspect the screw is photo #3 is the 4-48 screw you mentioned? My housing only has one screw near the top that clamps the case tube guide.

Again, many thanks.

Cheers,

Dave

In addition to the above ,the small 4x48 screw is something I added to prevent the cartridge case from sliding rearward.There was a constant problem without it.