RepackboxRotoMetals2Inline FabricationLee Precision
WidenersLoad DataReloading EverythingTitan Reloading
MidSouth Shooters Supply
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 37

Thread: New Lube-Sizers

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    East TN
    Posts
    127

    New Lube-Sizers

    All,

    If you were going out to buy a new Lube-Sizer what brand/model would it be. Will be used for pistol and rifle with 65% towards pistol, most gas checked and .35-.475 caliber. Cost is not a limiting factor.

    Thanks in advance for any and all input!

  2. #2
    Moderator Emeritus


    JonB_in_Glencoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Land of 10,000 Lakes
    Posts
    15,832
    The Star.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
    ― The Dalai Lama, Seattle Times, May 2001

  3. #3
    Boolit Master AnthonyB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    1,380
    Seconded on the Star. But an old Lyman with the gas check seater does a better job seating gas checks than the Star for me. Others may find the Star does everything well.
    Tony

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    364
    I have three RCBS lube sizers that have different lubes in them. I got them used at a great prices. I haven't had any problems with gas checks and would recommend them.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master OS OK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    El Dorado County, N. Ca.
    Posts
    6,234
    I have two RCBS's...one for lubing/sizing and the other, without lube for setting gas checks before I PC them...but I've always lusted for the 'Star'....heheee
    a m e r i c a n p r a v d a

    Be a Patriot . . . expose their lies!

    “In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” G. Orwell

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Back in the woods a piece, just outside Auburn, AL.
    Posts
    5,499
    Star. It's the best.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Pee Wee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Debary, Florida Volusia County
    Posts
    596
    The star is the best for pistols. And I have two. However I have not had good luck with the star for rifle bullets with pointed nose. When pushing thru the star the nose of the bullet warps the gas check on the bullet it’s pushing thru. So I have a Lyman 45 for rifle bullets. Just my 2 cents.
    NRA LIFE MEMBER
    ILSA MEMBER
    NRA RANGE SAFETY OFFICER

  8. #8
    DOR RED BEAR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    1 mile from chickahominy river ( swamp) central va
    Posts
    2,162
    I have never used a star for me they are very cost prohibitive. Sizer is more dies are more. But if you can afford it it might be the way to go. I use an rcbs and it works great. And a lot less money.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master super6's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    S.C
    Posts
    558
    I use a star and have had great success with pistol and rifle, both with gas checks. The key is setting the checks crimped in before sizing. Less .0005 Than the bullet size. A separate operation. I make my star dies and crimp tools. A lath, mill. surface grinder are all you need! Lol
    Last edited by super6; 07-10-2019 at 05:14 PM.
    Give me something to believe in. Poison
    Arosmith What it takes
    A 12 step program

  10. #10
    Moderator Emeritus


    georgerkahn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Location
    South of the (Canada) border
    Posts
    3,051
    jem102 -- I may be the odd duck here, owning and having three Star's and four Lyman 450's (and, a Lyman 45 I have, but is in "storage") -- where -- for me -- it is too time-consuming (imho) and too much effort to change dies in the Star's for SHORT RUNS of bullets. When I get a new mould, and cast a coffee-can's worth of bullets, it just seems "smarter" for *ME* to put a correct diameter dieset and top punch in a 450, and lub/size away. Then again -- for, say, my .38 S&W Special 148gn wadcutters -- one Star is set up and never changed, so I can cast, then "ready" as many bullets as I may need -- for next year's shooting, too .
    I also am a firm GC user, and LOVE the inexpensive gas check seater which Lyman purveys -- guaranteeing ON gas checks which are as square as possible.
    If it were me, starting out, as you indicate -- I'd pick up a Lyman 450 with the gas check tool, for these reasons.
    geo

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    3,901
    I have 2 Lymans, 2 Rcbs, and 3 Stars, and use the Star whenever I can, I just don't have all the sizes of dies for them, If I did, I would sell the others right away.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    2,028
    Get the Star. Get LatheSmith dies and punches. If doing rifle boolits, size base first with a top punch for Spitzer boolits. I started on a 4500 Lyman, and in my experience, the Star is hands down 5 times faster and easier to use. If you want a Lyman, PM me.

  13. #13
    DOR RED BEAR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    1 mile from chickahominy river ( swamp) central va
    Posts
    2,162
    Quote Originally Posted by super6 View Post
    I use a star and have had great success with pistol and rifle, both with gas checks. The key is setting the checks crimped in before sizing. Less .0005 Than the bullet size. A separate operation. I make my star dies and crimp tools. A lath, mill. surface grinder are all you need! Lol
    Lathe mill and surface grinder is all you need well heck i will just run down and pick em up.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
    StuBach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    1,135

    New Lube-Sizers

    One more vote for the star. Started on a 45, had issues with it not being strong enough for sizing my 380 bullets so jumped to a 4500 which worked better but than got into the star and now am trying to get all sizes covered in the star so I can ditch the 4500. I also PC a lot and the Lyman dies tend to scrape the pc off some bullets where the Star doesn’t.

    Admittedly, I do 90% handgun so can’t really speak to the spritzer tip flattening issue since my one rifle bullet that’s tipped I still have to size in the 4500.

    Lathesmith is the way to go for dies and punches though. They are works of art.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
    winelover's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    North Central Arkansas
    Posts
    2,403
    You can size all bullets on a Star, nose first, including spitzers. Just use an undersize flat point bullet as a pusher, to push the lubed bullet through, to make way for the next one.

    I guess, I'm in the minority..............I size mostly pistol bullets on the RCBS. The Star is used for rifle and carbine bullets where I demand long range accuracy. In and out sizers leave the door open for non concentric bullets. Base first sizers have to have perfect fit of the nose to the top punch, so as not to cant the bullet. Just too much room for error.

    Winelover

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    East TN
    Posts
    127
    I appreciate everyone's comments! I currently use a 450 but am looking for better. Sounds like a Star is in order. As to the pointed rifle boolits and dimpled gas checks couldn't you just cut some undersized rods from brass or aluminum, set in place, push through, retrieve and keep cycling?

    Thanks, John

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master

    Beagle333's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Back in the woods a piece, just outside Auburn, AL.
    Posts
    5,499
    Yes you can.
    KE4GWE - - - - - - Colt 1860, it just feels right.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master



    Springfield's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    San Jose, California
    Posts
    3,684
    Star. Not sure why it takes George so long to change dies in the Star. Pull the punch, pull the die with the tool, put in the die and re-install the punch. If you have done the bullet before it is pretty easy to set depth. Unless you are switching to a bullet with more or less lube groves it is simple. Now I have a bullet feeder on mine so I use a removable punch so I don't have to mess with the lock nut,
    but otherwise it is a normal Star. Works fine with gas checks that are the right size for the bullet. If you usea progressive press than you really need a Star. If not, then maybe not, it all depends on volume and how much time you have.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    3,901
    It takes me about the same amount of time to change dies on a Star as it does on the Lyman and I always worry about stripping those fine threads on the Lyman.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master


    Burnt Fingers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2019
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,938
    I traded for a Star to size my coated boolits. It's one of the best trades I've ever made. I got top punches from Lathesmith and went with the NOE adaptor and bushings.
    NRA Benefactor.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check