Using a Star to size PC 9mm boolits

[hermans]

I cast, PC and shoot lots of 9mm boolits. Currently I use my Rock Chucker press with a Lee sizer kit for the sizing part.
The problem is that it takes rather a long time to size say 1000 boolits this way since the stroke on the Rock Chucker is rather long, and also pushing the boolits upwards throught the Lee die into the red plastic container, takes some effort when the container has a few hundred boolits in it.
So my question is, would my Star sizer be faster/easier to use???
I would of course not be using any lube since my boolits have no lube groove.
Would appreciate any input:???:

[Huskerguy]

When I cast, I PC ASAP and size in thr next day or two as the PC tends to get harder. I use the Lee sizer on an old Pacifc single stage. I have got in the habit of grabbing a handful of bullets in my left hand and orienting them correctly and placing them a d guiding them up into the sizer and then only lowering the ram just enough to get another bullet in and go again. I don't encounter the resistance when the plastic container is full and I run it very full.

If you are picking them up one at a time and going completely through the ram motion, I could see the fatigue.

[shell70634]

IMO a star is faster than the lee. A star with a bullet feeder is much faster but time is taken to tube the bullets.

[Ed_Shot]

I size most all boolits with my Lyman 450 and most all my boolits are PC'd so I seldom lube. I do occasionally use a LEE push-thru for 30 cal that I expanded to .310" using my Lee Classic Cast press. I may be wrong but I can't believe the job would go any faster using a Star sizer. I recommend you try something first before spending money on a Star.

DITCH the Lee Red Container! As your sized boolit pops up at the top of the Lee sizing die take it with your left hand (assuming your right hand is on the press handle) and drop it in a plastic bowl...... then do it again. My 2 cents.

[G W Wade]

I bought the NOE Star adapter and a handful of sizers. Cost was less the price of 1 Star lube die GW

[dverna]

I bought the NOE Star adapter and a handful of sizers. Cost was less the price of 1 Star lube die GW

Thanks for posting that. I did not know such an animal existed.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I use the inverted Press technique with Lee boolit size dies.
I find this technique speeds things up, because I can just drop a Boolit into the die, cycle the press, boolit drops into container.

[jsizemore]

I use my star to size PC'd accurate 35-115y. I used to do a 20 minute bake but had to use a lanolin case lube to get it through the sizing die. Increased my bake time to 30 minutes and didn't need to lube anymore. I cast, coat, bake and size in a 4-5 hour period. The extra hour is if I decide to take a bike ride. I size 750 bullets in 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. Nose first sizing. Just to check, I can use a single finger on the handle to size. They get sized from .360 to .357.

[waco]

I bought the NOE Star adapter and a handful of sizers. Cost was less the price of 1 Star lube die GW

Could you please post a link to this?

[hermans]

I use the inverted Press technique with Lee boolit size dies.
I find this technique speeds things up, because I can just drop a Boolit into the die, cycle the press, boolit drops into container.

Intersting comment JonB......I have to look into this, have no idea how it works, is it a specific press by Lee? I maybe mention that I do have a Star lubsizer, it is just not mounted permantly on my bench since space is a problem.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Intersting comment JonB......I have to look into this, have no idea how it works, is it a specific press by Lee? I maybe mention that I do have a Star lubsizer, it is just not mounted permantly on my bench since space is a problem.
Well, if space is a problem, then my suggestion isn't probably a good one for you.
I made a "Stand" that mounts to the bench so a press can be mounted upside down.
320535


here is a long thread about others doing the same.
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?328828-Joy-in-an-Upside-down-Sizing-Press

[hermans]

Could you please post a link to this?

Yes please post us the link!

[hermans]

Well, if space is a problem, then my suggestion isn't probably a good one for you.
I made a "Stand" that mounts to the bench so a press can be mounted upside down.
320535


here is a long thread about others doing the same.
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?328828-Joy-in-an-Upside-down-Sizing-Press

Thanks JohnB, now I have a lot of reading to do on the inverted press technique!

[Gtrubicon]

I use the Lee app press to size my pc cast bullets, it’s very fast at doing so. They are very affordable also.

[G W Wade]

Could you please post a link to this?

Sorry, computer challenged due to age and stubbornness. I goggles NOE Sizing die. Look under sizing dies and adapter is listed, GW

[charlie b]

Well, if space is a problem, then my suggestion isn't probably a good one for you.
I made a "Stand" that mounts to the bench so a press can be mounted upside down.
320535


here is a long thread about others doing the same.
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?328828-Joy-in-an-Upside-down-Sizing-Press

It does indeed work well. And, IMHO, is the reason Lee designed the APP and their newer bushing dies.

[Elpatoloco]

I use the Lee app press to size my pc cast bullets, it’s very fast at doing so. They are very affordable also.

I purchased one for the exact purpose. I can't stab slugs in the tubes fast enough. I do not like a lot of Lee products as they are made CHEAPLY(dont hold up), but I do appreciate the designs. The App press is stupid fast and invaluable for sizing PC slugs. If mine broke today, I'd have another one on the way immediately.

[justindad]

I use the inverted Press technique with Lee boolit size dies.
I find this technique speeds things up, because I can just drop a Boolit into the die, cycle the press, boolit drops into container.

That’s a really good idea. Just add a vibrating chute so the boolits just slide into the die on their own.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Yes please post us the link!


Could you please post a link to this?

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-casting-reloading/sizing-tools/bushing-push-through-size-die/bushing-adapter-for-star-sizer/

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/bullet-casting-reloading/sizing-tools/bushings/

[hermans]

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/shop/bullet-casting-reloading/sizing-tools/bushing-push-through-size-die/bushing-adapter-for-star-sizer/

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/bullet-casting-reloading/sizing-tools/bushings/

Thanks JonB.....
Had a look at the adaptor and sizing dies. I think to start off I am just going to mount my Star with the existing Star 9mm sizing die, made by Lathesmith and just see how it goes. At this point I might consider making a bullet feeder for the Star since I already have a collator which I 3D printed.

[wv109323]

You can definitely size PC boolits in a Star lubrisizer same as uncoated boolits. You just do not push the handle down far enough to activate the lube pump. Or you can remove the bolt that activates the lube piston.
I have the Lee APP press. I use it to deprime 9mm and 45 acp brass before I SS pin clean it. This way it cleans the primer pocket. And if you SS clean with primers in the primer will oxidize and the primer sidewalls stay in the case and just the end is knocked off the primer. Also with" primer in" you have to allow more time for the primer pocket to thoroughly dry before reloading. Otherwise you will put a good primer in a wet primer pocket and cause a misfire. Ask me how I know.

[Minerat]

I use the inverted Press technique with Lee boolit size dies.
I find this technique speeds things up, because I can just drop a Boolit into the die, cycle the press, boolit drops into container.

I do the same thing only use NOE push thru dies with a clear 1"x 6" piece of hose on it to drop the boolits into a pan under the press. I mounted my Lee press on a piece of 6x2 pine and C clamp it to the bench.

[rintinglen]

I have used my LEE APP press for sizing exclusively the last couple of years and it works very well for that.