Star Sizer questions

[snowwolfe]

Ok, time for resizer 101!

I am seriously considering purchasing a star sizer with a heater because I am a equipment junkie and would probably end up buying it down the road anyhow.

Once I purchase the sizer I know I need a die (.500).

What other parts will I need to purchase to complete the package to size bullets to .500?

[NuJudge]

A Star Bullet Punch for .50 caliber. The bullet punch will always be a bit smaller than the bullet diameter. The bullet punches Magma has sent me are flat faced, but someone here got me to thinking that a concave center would be good on these things if one is gas checking bullets, such that a protruding sprue will not result in a cocked gas check.

I've bought several machines used, and to change calibers all I changed was the size die and the bullet punch. For the punch see over on the right-hand side at the top:
http://www.magmaengineering.com/item.php?id=24

Magma also has an on-line manual for the lube machines at the same page (Left side about 2 inches down from the top).

CDD

[johnho]

Since you're in a spending mood get the air cylinder too. I soon got fed up with turning the handle and the air feed is very very nice. All you need to run it is a small compressed air tank available from Home Depot and a cheap air line available there too. Fill it up at the gas station. Don't forget the adapter to plug it in, get the quick disconnect.

[Sundogg1911]

Snowwolfe,
You won't regret buying a Star. I have 3. I've used a Lyman 450 for years before getting a Star. Much faster! They do require a little more adjustment, and are a little less forgiving if you're out of adjustment, but once you have it dialed in, you'll have a pile of nicely sized and lubed bullets in no time. I would suggest getting the Star heater with the temp adjustment. I have one and also have one of the older ones from Midway that doesnt adjust, and the adjustment is a really nice feature to have. (Some of the commercial lubes require a Slightly higher or lower temp.) Good luck!

[Springfield]

The best part of the air feed for me is I plugged the overflow hole and now I can fit in 50% more lube. Anything to save time.

[snowwolfe]

Forgive me if my questions seem so basic.

The bullet punch is what will push the bullet down and seat the gas check?

When I finally get to cast other bullet calibers I will only need to purchase that size sizing die and the other punch?

I do plan on purchasing the Star heater as I may be forced to keep this in the garage. I am sure "air" would be nice but I do not think my volume I plan on sizing would warrant it.

[Marshal Kane]

. . . I do plan on purchasing the Star heater as I may be forced to keep this in the garage.

Star is advocating that the bullets be sized nose first so their bullet punches are now flat on the end. One punch may fit several calibers of bullets. e.g. .44 caliber and above. The Star heater, if adjusted correctly, will not cause the bullet lube to smoke nor is it anymore dangerous or obnoxious than a hot iron left on an insulated pad.

If you want to keep your reloading equipment looking as new as possible, suggest not keeping the equipment in the garage. Most garages are vented which allows moisture to accumulate on anything that will corrode. IMHO, nothing is as sad as having hundreds of dollars invested in reloading equipment that exhibits a coat of rust from being left in the garage.

You will really like your Star. It is the fastest lubricater/sizer on the market for cast bullets.

[snowwolfe]

Thanks, but most of the garages up here (including mine) are heated during the winter.

[omgb]

When you request the punch from Magma, just ask them to dish the center for you. They will and it makes a difference when seating gas checks.

[snowwolfe]

Thank you. That is a tip I never heard before

[omgb]

Here's another tip, the Lyman heater base wroks as well as the Star and costs less than $50 the last time I checked.

[snowwolfe]

Here's another tip, the Lyman heater base wroks as well as the Star and costs less than $50 the last time I checked.

Thank you. I like saving money. Is the Lyman heater adjustable like the Star?

[sagamore-one]

Just to add my 2 cents worth. I have 7 stars, 5 regular, 2 tall boys and 4 base heaters. Go with an adjustable heater if at all possible. I intend to pass along 2 Lyman non adjustable heaters. They work as advertised ,but are not as flexible if you use more than one kind of lube or use in colder climates.
I do keep an RCBS sizer for gas checked rifle bullets... a little more robust in construction.

[snowwolfe]

So the Lyman heater is not adjustable like the Star?

Seeing I will not be casting bullets under .375 caliber is the Star the best choice for me?
Once I am really into this I will be casting for mostly my S&W 500, 460, 458 Lott, 44 mag, and .375. All gas checked.

[sagamore-one]

The two Lyman heaters I have are NOT adjustable. I am not sure if they are all like that, but I think they are.
If you don't try to reduce the diameter too much in one pass... you should be o-k with a Star. I broke a handle/crankshaft trying to over size some 44 cal long boolits. Ended up sizing in two steps. A friend did the same thing oversizing 250 gr 38 cal bullits.
My favorite heater is C&H. It has a knob for adjustment... The Star needs a screwdriver inserted into a little hole.

[lathesmith]

snowwolfe,
What Sundogg said x2. The Star in my experience is MORE than twice as fast as a Lyman or RCBS. They are a little finicky to adjust but once dialed in you can crank out a pile of bullets in a hurry. For me, the four- to six- cavity molds and my Star sizers is what makes casting worthwhile! As others have stated, if you are sizing very hard and/or oversize bullets you may have to do two passes. I'm perfectly happy with the twist screw for lube pressure, but if you are a very large volume caster the air option is worth considering.
Depending on price differences in the various heaters, you might be able to make you a box with a dimmer switch to adjust the temperature with a non-adjustable heater. I hate paying fifty bucks extra for a three-or four-dollar part. A little creativity pays off!
lathesmith

[omgb]

To answer your question, no, the Lyman isn't adjustable. However, I've never needed it to be. I use either SPG, a very soft lube for BP or LBT Blue, a medium soft lube for smokeless. In either case, I run the heater until the lube is soft and then unplug it. Not very high tech, but it works and it's cheap.

I size bullet from 30 cal up to 50 cal in my Star. I typically run a bullet at .460 and size to .459 or in some cases .458 without any problems. I did have a rough go trying to size a bullet from .360 to .356. That one was a no go. But, the bullets were water quenched and really really hard. The key is to be sure and hand coat a bullet with lube every few bullets to keep the die slick. Or, if you re going to do some serious down sizing (which is poor for accuracy I might add) spray the bullets with a spray sizing lube like Hornady makes first, then size and lube. It makes all the difference in the world.

Stars are every bit as tough and even tougher than the RCBS or the Lyman sizer. Anybody who says different is off-base in my book. I've broken both of the afore mentioned machines trying to lift a stuck bullet back up out of a die. I've never even made a Star whimper.

The Star is tricky to set up. Once you learn the technique, it is lightening fast and with nose first sizing, it never sizes out of round or off center. it also never needs multiple nose punches. The base punch that works for 30 cal will work for 32, 33 35 and 38 cal. It can be used for 45 too but not for seating GCs for obvious reasons.

Buy a Star and don't look back. I still have an RCBS but the bulk of my sizing is done on the Star.

[Dale53]

lathesmith beat me to the punch with his tip about a box with a dimmer switch. That will work just fine and give you fine adjustment for the temperature that works best with your lube.

Dale53

[ANeat]

Like to save money? Mount your star on a aluminum base and use a clothes iron for a heater, they have a thermostat. My aluminum was free and the iron was $5.00.

Like to spend money? Mount it on a strong mount..

[snowwolfe]

All seemed well and good about purchasing the Star untill someone told me you can not resize round nose or spire point bullets with one..
Is there anyway around this?