Now that Lathesmith and Magma are gone

[ammohead]

May I inquire what a "short" sizing die for the Magma is? I can understand not needing the full length sizing die for a boolit that is either powder coated or HITEK coated but the next boolit is going to push the previously coated boolit out. Or is the object of a short sizing die to have one boolit complete the travel through the sizing die without another boolit pushing the previously coated boolit out? Big Boomer

I was requested by a commercial caster to make punches that would have the bullet clear the short die with every stroke. Easy task if the die is back bored a bit. The backboring protects the exit from damage as well, kinda like a step crown on a barrel muzzle.

[Bill M]

A Star sizer lubes the bullet at the bottom of the stroke, use only partial stroke if not lubing.

[Ausglock]

I can make them but you will have to pay postage. Pm me.

G'day.
Postage is no problem. We are used to paying extra for postage from the US.

[daveed]

I’ve used “Ammohead’s” service to make me a .335 sizing die and a “nose first” punch for my Star. I gotta say, exactly what I wanted, great communication and very fast service. So, for us Star machine owners, there is still hope.

[rodinal220]

Great, I just found out about Magmas demise.

[gnappi]

Great, I just found out about Magmas demise.

I was unaware he was closing shop when I ordered a few Star dies without lube holes for powder coating bullets. I'm glad I did, just today I stoked up my furnace for .41's and I'll use the die he made me.

[eaglemike]

As an FYI, no other reason, the original dies from Star were made from StressProof, machined pretty close, then case hardened. IIRC the OD was ground, bore and top face were ground, then honed to final size and air-gauged for the common sizes. The not-as-common were measured using a ball gauge. Bill, one of the owners, did all the final work on the dies when I was there. One of the things he mentioned was to not have the hole the same size all the way through. It was hour-glassed, so it would enter freely and then slip out the bottom without binding. As soon as it was known which bullet would be used, they drive the lead shot into the holes to plug the extras. The punches were blanked on a screw machine, then the bullet nose shape was machined into the punch, per order.
This is offered just in the hope that it will help someone understand what went into making them. It's not a slam dunk easy thing, takes some care to do well.

[PhatForrest]

Just found a .430 punch on eBay for $32. Ordered, because I needed one, and they’re only going to get more expensive.

[M-Tecs]

As an FYI, no other reason, the original dies from Star were made from Stress Proof, machined pretty close, then case hardened. IIRC the OD was ground, bore and top face were ground, then honed to final size and air-gauged for the common sizes. The not-as-common were measured using a ball gauge. Bill, one of the owners, did all the final work on the dies when I was there. One of the things he mentioned was to not have the hole the same size all the way through. It was hour-glassed, so it would enter freely and then slip out the bottom without binding. As soon as it was known which bullet would be used, they drive the lead shot into the holes to plug the extras. The punches were blanked on a screw machine, then the bullet nose shape was machined into the punch, per order.
This is offered just in the hope that it will help someone understand what went into making them. It's not a slam dunk easy thing, takes some care to do well.

Thanks for the detailed info. Any idea on how much (if any) size adjustments was added in for spring back?

[Ausglock]

Magma Engineering Australia is making Magma Sizer dies. Long and short... 0.0005" increments.