Starvana

[Stonecrusher]

My new Magma Star Sizer arrived yesterday, after a 4 1/2 week wait. I definitely think it was worth it. I have been using my Lyman 450 for about 30 years and always dreamed of a Star. I finished up the mounting base today and tried it out. Loaded it up with Carnauba Blue and had no problems getting the lube to flow easily. It was about 83 degrees in the garage. I think the blue will work out great for pistol/plinking loads. Less mess and no heater needed like the red.

I could hardly make myself stop! It was fun. Much better and faster than the Lyman, and no mess. Still keeping the Lyman though. It is filled with Ben's Red for the rifles.

One question for the experienced Star users here. Is there any need to back off the pressure screw when you finish lubing to keep the lube from drizzling out, especially when it is hot? I left the last bullet in the die so I don't think there should be a problem as the lube would have to leak past the "injector" to get to the die. The reason I ask is because I always back the screw off on the 450 when I am finished because it will drool a little bit, especialy in the summer.

 

[Gary]

I always try and remember to cut back on the pressure so I don't drizzle either. It is april 1, isn't it?

 

[Rick]

When I used the hand pressure screw I always backed off the pressure. If it will leak lube or not depends on the lube, temp & tolerances of the machine. Mine did leak a bit so any more I simply remove the air line.

 

[Stonecrusher]

Thanks for the replies. I did back off several turns on the screw. Not a big deal to do that. Time will tell. It looks like summer has already come to South Georgia.

I forgot it was April Fool's Day Gary! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Brad]

Always back off or it will leak.
More pressure, less heat was a big lesson for me. Once you get it figured out you will wonder how you survived without it.

 

[Rick]

Adding air pressure is just as big a leap forward as getting the Star in the first place.

 

[Brad]

Adding air pressure is just as big a leap forward as getting the Star in the first place.

Yes it is. I wouldn't be without the air cylinder. Makes it even better, hard as that is to believe.

 

[fiver]

makes it more repeatable too.

I just pop the air line off and walk away [I assume the cylinder releases the pressure]
there is generally enough left to lube 2-3 more boolits if I need it.

 

[Pistolero]

Like my Stars but can't imagine why the air would be needed. I put a couple turn on mine
every so often and the spring keeps it going for a long time. I do have to unwind it when
done though. I was fortunate to buy each of mine for about $100 on eBay before the big
price jump.

It is a bit irritating that Star intentionally made the threads on the top punch impossible to
make, or darned near impossible. See if you can cut a 1/2-27 thread, Brad, to make your
own. Grrr. I plan to take a RN one that I never use and cut it off and thread internally for
a standard thread, make my own with that smaller thread.

Bill

 

[Brian Palmer]

Love my Star. It was one of the first things I realized was a major thing when I first got into reloading. Got nine early in the race to get them for a reasonable price on ebay before the huge price jump. I had a Lube-o-Matic first that came with a huge lot a retiring reloader sold me for a deal. That went quick with the upgrade to the Star. Later I got a 450 to size my .58 Minis.

 

[Brad]

I found a neat chart online that lists lots of setting for threads on the lathe. One of them was 27 TPI. Works like a charm. I will see if I can find the link and get it to you Bill.
I have lots of punches I have made.

 

[Brad]

Found the chart
The settings have worked well for me

 

[Rick]

Like my Stars but can't imagine why the air would be needed. I put a couple turn on mine
every so often and the spring keeps it going for a long time. Bill

Precisely what I thought for years. That plus "I'm not a commercial caster I don't need that. Then one day on a whim I bought one, then for months afterwards I walked around in a stunned state of shock mumbling . . . What was I thinking, why didn't I do that years ago what was I thinking, what was I thinking.
.

 

[Brad]

I got an air cylinder after a few years. Made me a beleiver. Wouldn't be without one.

 

[Pistolero]

I still cannot imagine needing an air cylinder. One second every 15-20 bullets? Even when I lube
a thousand it seems like it wouldn't be worth anything.

To each his own. I am hard headed. Love my Stars but would NEVER have only a Star. Easy to
switch from one bullet design to another, if the die is set up already for the correct # of lube grooves
and spacing. BUT, if you are changing the number of lube grooves, I find them a PITA to set up.

I switched my .452 die from H&G 68 to 452460 the other day. It took about 35 min to use the puller to remove the
die, clean off the lube, measure the spacing on the bullet against the available holes, drill out the lead shot from 4
holes, then pick out the residue, then reinstall, and set up the height of the punch. Then I did a couple hundred in no time!

I LOVE my two Stars, really, but for small batches, either the RCBS or the Lyman 450 get used. I can set one
up in 2 minutes, max, as long as the diam is the same. If the diam changes, maybe 5-6 minutes total setup time.

I suppose I could spend an extra $45 for another .452 die and keep one set up for each design, but did I mention
that I am cheap, too? Getting less so as I get older, so may buy that second die.

Bill

 

[Rick]

I still cannot imagine needing an air cylinder. One second every 15-20 bullets? Even when I lube
a thousand it seems like it wouldn't be worth anything. Bill

Perfectly logical reason for that Bill and exactly as I thought. The reason is quite simple, you haven't yet used the air cylinder. Use it once and you will never go back. Ever.
.

 

[Rick]

I suppose I could spend an extra $45 for another .452 die and keep one set up for each design, but did I mention that I am cheap, too? Getting less so as I get older, so may buy that second die. Bill

After the first 25-30 Star dies it gets easier to just go ahead and get another, what's one more?
.

 

[Brad]

Bill, you have a lathe. Make some dies for the Star already. They really aren't difficult, it just takes some time for the final honing to size.
I own 3 or 4 dies from Magma and was cheap enough to avoid buying more. I have about 15 I made. Somehow my time isn't worth much?

 

[fiver]

I only leave the one set of holes open on all of my dies.
I rarely change the stem setting too.
just this week I have lube sized 4 different 30 cal bullets [including one loverign design] and touched nothing on the machine except to put more lube in.
all of my 38/9mm/358 44/45/41 boolits go down the same die with the same holes open and stem.
the single row of holes will lube multiple lube grooves no problem.

 

[Stonecrusher]

I am loving this thing. I discovered that trying to feed a Dillon with a Lyman 450 is like having a machine gun with a three round clip! Makes sizing fun!