Star sizer and gas checks

[Naphtali]

For the first time, my shooting partner used his Star sizer in my presence. I had no idea he had one because tools not in use are covered. During the course of our brief conversation -- I was on my way home -- he said that he preferred to use his RCBS Lube-A-Matic 2 or Saeco Lubri-Sizer when installing gas checks and strongly preferred his Star for plain base bullet sizing and lubricating.

I didn't query him on what difficulty he avoids by not using his Star with gas checks -- my error. I will appreciate information about this because I am shopping for a sizer and I cast gas checked and plain base bullets.

[HeavyMetal]

I'm not sure what his issue might be. I have used my Star to size checked boolits and never had a problem.

However I will suggest that he may be concerned with checks seating properly if he's nose sizing in his Star. I to was intrigued by the possible issue of them "sliding" off as I sized.

So far it has not been the case although the only boolits I check are the Lee 7.62X39 design that I use in my 30-30 Contender.

I do have several other molds that take checks but have not used them very frequently in the last couple of yrs. I have thought I might consider super glue as a contingincey plan to keep the checks on until firmly crimped in place.

When you get a chance ask your bud why he prefers the rcbs sizer for doing checked boolits, I'm curious.

[runfiverun]

he probably don't like that dent he gets by not having a proper sized punch for his sizer.

[bobthenailer]

i know ive gas checked over 20,000 bullets of various bullet diamenters on my star with o problems ! and accuracy is excellent with all bullets

[ktw]

he probably don't like that dent he gets by not having a proper sized punch for his sizer.

Yeah, that.

I seem to recall Magma only offers two flat base punches for use with all bullet sizes. This works fine with plain based bullets but can lead to issues when seating gas checks.

If he is using a flat base punch that is significantly smaller than bullet size, the base punch is trying to seat the check by pressing on the bottom/middle of the check, rather than the bottom/peripheral edges. As runfiverun notes, this can lead to an incompletely seated check with a dished bullet base.

The solution is to have someone (like lathesmith) make you a flat base punch that more closely matches each bullet size.

-ktw

[Jon K]

Another issue he may have is...............if the check doesn't fit the shank very well, the RCBS will crush at the bottom of the stroke, pushing the check on firmly. With the Star, if it's cocked off to one side, that's how it will come out.

Jon

[runfiverun]

if he has a larger sized one he can just grind it down to fit i usually just order the largest and longest they have and turn them down on the bench grinder till i get what i want.
the flat push down is nice but the nose of the next one usually makes a little dent.
i think it could actually help accuracy in some cases.
and i doubt it has hurt.

[fredj338]

Another issue he may have is...............if the check doesn't fit the shank very well, the RCBS will crush at the bottom of the stroke, pushing the check on firmly. With the Star, if it's cocked off to one side, that's how it will come out.

Jon
I use my Star for all sizing including GC bullets. It is a bit more trouble as yo uhave to push them on by hand & get them straight then drop them into the sizer. A larger base punch does help.

[DanOH]

In the LBT catalogue I remember Veral mentioning getting a Star punch that is cupped so that pressure is applied to the outside edges of the bullet/gas check. I think it would be a custom size specific deal though. Wonder how much that might cost...

[Marine Sgt 2111]

I made an adapter years ago when I got my star, with a shoulder on it about 5/8 dia (.625"), threaded 1/2-27 on the outside of the section which fits inside of the ram and drilled and tapped 1/4-28 on the inside of the adapter. Then I use 1/4-28 socket head bolts, somewhere around 2.5" long and using an electric drill braced on a work bench to steady it, I grind the socket off of the bolt head (using a bench grinder).

Using the same set up I try to keep the bolts threaded section steady and grind the Outside Diameter of the bolt head .01" under bullet diameter so the punch won't rub on the inside of the sizing die. This works for everything under .375" dia. For bigger diameters than that, I have some 1/2-27 bolts that I bought years ago which I cut off and grind down to work. I would prefer using a lathe to make punches but you work with what you have.

I nose down size everything and using a punch close to base diameter (within .010") I have seater thousands of gas checks on everything from .22's to .458's...

For what it's worth...

[lathesmith]

In the LBT catalogue I remember Veral mentioning getting a Star punch that is cupped so that pressure is applied to the outside edges of the bullet/gas check. I think it would be a custom size specific deal though. Wonder how much that might cost...

$13 + shipping...that's one question I can answer, at least....!
lathesmith

[rbwillnj]

I have been able to order any size punch I wanted from Magma.