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Post by contender on Apr 2, 2017 7:56:09 GMT -5
I purchased a Star bullet sizer recently. It came with a few dies & a few punches. None of the punches fit my preferred 45 cal bullets. So,, I got the thinking,,,,(I know,,, that's dangerous!)
Can I use the star & push through my slugs nose down? Seems I heard you can somewhere.
If so,,, what punch would someone recommend? A totally flat one,,, or what?
If not,,, anybody have a top punch that fits a wide meplate bullet like the Miha ones?
School me on the Star please gentlemen!
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Post by clintsfolly on Apr 2, 2017 9:15:23 GMT -5
Yes just get a flat point punch. Size everything nose down.
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Post by 38 WCF on Apr 2, 2017 9:19:59 GMT -5
Yes just get a flat point punch. Size everything nose down. What he said +1 |
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Post by bushog on Apr 2, 2017 9:26:50 GMT -5
Will the gas checks seat properly if sized nose down?
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Apr 2, 2017 11:23:41 GMT -5
I had better overall results seating gas checks in a seperate step.
FYI, I don't have a Star sizer.
I have looked hard at them. I have everything i need for .22-475 for my Lyman/RCBS lube sizers.
Casting for such a wide range of calibers, I would need a pile of sizer dies again.
My other concern was how much time was involved in getting the machine set up from one design to the next as far as lube groove differences.
I may only want 50 of one design, then a couple of hundred for another caliber.
If I was shooting a lot of one design and caliber on a regular basis I would be inclined to try one out.
Look forward to more of your results.
Jeff
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 2, 2017 15:41:17 GMT -5
 While not an expert at this process by anyone's measure... I feed all bullets through my Star nose first. Gas checks go on at the same time. All my Star Sizer bullet punches are flat to match the flat base. The diameter of the punch is the primary variable. The other than flat nose shape punch goes in a RCBS or Lyman sizer.
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Post by AxeHandle on Apr 2, 2017 15:45:00 GMT -5
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Post by sixshot on Apr 2, 2017 17:45:09 GMT -5
Nose first always & use a flat punch.
Dick
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Post by sixshot on Apr 2, 2017 17:48:56 GMT -5
Nose first always & use a flat punch. A word of caution when sizing powder coated bullets. It's a good idea to use some Hornady "One Shot Case Lube" & spray your bullets before sizeing when using the Star machine, you can easily bend the szier handle if you don't. I just place them in a big cookie tin, anyway they are laying & spray them, works great, if you don't you will be buying a new handle. Dick |
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Post by contender on Apr 2, 2017 19:42:23 GMT -5
Thanks all!!!!!!!!!
Now,,, I need to find a flat punch.
Anybody got a spare,,, in 45 cal?
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Post by sixshot on Apr 2, 2017 22:42:09 GMT -5
Tyrone, easy to have somebody make you one & you don't want a 45 caliber size, get one about 357 size & it will cover about everything. I think 2 sizes will cover everything you size, does for me.
Dick
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Post by clintsfolly on Apr 3, 2017 8:11:20 GMT -5
I believe that the punch is just a bolt with the head cut off. Hacksaw it head off then file square of course a lathe would do it faster
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Post by contender on Apr 3, 2017 9:39:40 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I'll look into the threaded bolt thing,,, as my lathe is an OLD one with a chipped gear tooth that needs replacing before I can chase threads. If I can find a bolt with the correct threads,,, I'll be in business.
Dick, what other size do you use,,, as I have 32 cal up to the 480. My Saeco has plenty of dies right now,,, but as I acquire more Star dies,,, I'll be wanting good punches.
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Post by sixshot on Apr 3, 2017 11:17:32 GMT -5
Tyrone, I'm sizing my 32's on my RCBS, haven't got around to having Shane make me one for the Star machine. You just need one a bit smaller than your smallest sizer & then maybe one bigger one for 41's, 44's 45, etc.s. That's what I do.
Dick
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Post by 2 Dogs on Apr 3, 2017 11:46:14 GMT -5
I purchased a Star bullet sizer recently. It came with a few dies & a few punches. None of the punches fit my preferred 45 cal bullets. So,, I got the thinking,,,,(I know,,, that's dangerous!) Can I use the star & push through my slugs nose down? Seems I heard you can somewhere. If so,,, what punch would someone recommend? A totally flat one,,, or what? If not,,, anybody have a top punch that fits a wide meplate bullet like the Miha ones? School me on the Star please gentlemen! My answer here is going to be a bit different. I would cut all noses to flat ones. Best done on a lathe. You can push your bullets through either way. I shoot alot of gas checks and prefer to push those bullets thru base first. Here is an example of why, I tried to use my .22 caliber punch on my .257 JR GCHPs. The 22 caliber punch was leaving a bit of a rim on the .25 caliber GC base. So I ran them through base first and everything was fine. Take a look at your available punches and cut all the ones that are different sizes to flat. No sense in have 2 flat .44s or .45s unless you have 2 sizers. Once you get the hang of the Star it is really fast. I use a heated base on mine and lube that requires a heater but I live in sunny S. Texas. Also, be sure to measure your bullets as every once in a while somebody takes a sizer and opens up the diameter a bit so it might say .432 but really be .434 or something. The folks at Magma are really good to deal with. |
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While not an expert at this process by anyone's measure... I feed all bullets through my Star nose first. Gas checks go on at the same time. All my Star Sizer bullet punches are flat to match the flat base. The diameter of the punch is the primary variable. The other than flat nose shape punch goes in a RCBS or Lyman sizer.
