LEE can make Star Reloader Replacement dies...

[Johnny_Cyclone]

I was looking through the LEE web site FAQ's and ran across this:

http://leeprecision.net/support/inde...tar-press-dies

Star Press Dies
Posted by on 20 October 2011 08:09 AM
Star press die bodies are available with 11/16 x 24 thread.

Available for the STAR loading machine press in the following calibers:

•44 Mag
•38 Special
•38 Super
•9mm
•45 Colt
•30 M1 Carbine
•380 ACP
•40 S&W
•45 ACP
•41 Mag
•32 S&W

Dies cost $30.00 each and do not have a designated part number. These do not include the Decapping Rod and we do not have the Decappers available for them. The parts we carry for our standard dies will not work in the STAR dies.

Please call us at (262) 673-3075 if you would like to place an order.

Lee Precision
4275 Hwy U
Hartford WI 53027

It was news to me so thought I'd post it.

[Roundnoser]

I didn't know that! That is great news!

Thanks!

[angus6]

Got a couple last year in 9mm and 38 super

ETA: ask for Laine

[LUBEDUDE]

I wonder why the tooling up is so difficult to add a decapper to the sizing die?

It must cost more to meet the demand.

[scrapcan]

angus6,

what did you do for the shellplate? ARe you using newly made ones by someone on the star forum?

[angus6]

I got one from Rich , they come up every so often on e/b too, but Rich does a nice job on them so unless your after an original give him a shout

ETA: the Star decap stems fit

[MtGun44]

Contact lathesmith if you want accurate and BEAUTIFULLY smooth Star dies.

Bill

[LUBEDUDE]

Contact lathesmith if you want accurate and BEAUTIFULLY smooth Star dies.

Bill

Thanks for the lead (leed). I would much rather support a forum member.

[angus6]

Thanks for the lead (leed). I would much rather support a forum member.

I think your going to need to contact fc60 for that , not lathesmith, I think Bill has his dies mixed up

[scrapcan]

Bill,

wrong kind of dies. this thread is about reloading dies to fit the star progressive reloading press.

[MtGun44]

OOOPS!!

I forgot that Star makes progressive reloading machines. I have two of the lubrisizers and
that is what my brain defaults to when someone says "Star" in reference to reloading.

And of course the title is "Star reloader" . . . . . . . . .

Bill

[seagiant]

Hi,
Even though I sold my 3 STAR loaders I can't help but wonder how the LEE dies compare to the old original "Lifetyme" dies?

[scrapcan]

seagiant,

that right there is a great piece of equipment. If i had the opportunity to trade my star for that machine, I would do it in quick step.

I like the star, but the ch is also a great machine and much easier and cheaper to change tooling.

[Dale53]

I had one of those CH AutoChamp machines for some time. It was blazing fast for pistol rounds. If I had a helper to keep the case feeder and primer tubes filled, I could easily do 1000 rounds in an hour (not "at the rate of" but actually 1000 .45 ACP's in an hour). Money was tight in those days, and I also needed a Progressive press for rifle ammo. I sold the CH and bought a Dillon 550B (which, of course, does both rifle and pistol). The Dillon will not meet the production capabilities of the CH but will allow an experienced operator to do 500 an hour, so it was a VERY good choice for me.

I had the Mark IV model. CH "improved" the Mark IV and the improvement apparently allowed or caused primer tube explosions. I had two friends that experienced that - one was loading in the basement and blew a hole up through the basement ceiling up into the kitchen. Fortunately, his wife had just left the kitchen and no one was injured. However, the other one occurred in Illinois and caused serious injury to the ***'t Att'y General of the State (he bought this machine upon my recommendation - I recommended the Mark IV and didn't realize that the Mark V had replaced the Mark IV). He received serious hand injuries and promptly sued CH. It put CH out of business. CH was purchased by 4D and I don't believe that they ever offered the Auto Press again. It is kind of a shame as this was a good machine.

As a possible matter of interest - CH4D still offers parts for the various models of the AutoChamp Press.

The main change between the Mark IV and V was in the primer feed (you ever heard the saying "law of unintended consequences"?).

David Davidson, of 4D, is a real gentleman. I have done business with him over the years and hold him in high regard.

FWIW
Dale53

[seagiant]

Hi,
Thanks Gentleman for the info on the CH Auto Champ! I'm not going to hijack this thread but I should recieve the Auto Champ next week and after setting it up and using it some will take some pics and discuss what I think!

I'm still wondering about the quality of the dies that LEE is making for the STAR and how well they work???

[angus6]

Well I've found no fault with them, but have only put a round 5 K through the 9mm die, appearance wise they wont be mistaking for a Star die , nothing wrong with the machine work they just went made as a exact copy

[seagiant]

Hi,
Pics????????

[Johnny_Cyclone]

I second the motion for Pic's

[angus6]

[seagiant]

Hi,
All I can say is WOW! Having years of experience with the real "Lifetyme" dies, that LEE looks pretty good!Thanks for the pic! Better than I was thinking!