bobl44
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 80
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Post by bobl44 on Nov 28, 2012 12:02:26 GMT -5
Finaly upgrading from a leaky old lyman 450. Any preferences out there for around $200.00? Mostly .429 240 grs.
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Post by subsonic on Nov 28, 2012 12:25:36 GMT -5
I use an RCBS and have a bunch of lyman and RCBS dies.
If I could start over, I'd start with a Star and not look back.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Nov 28, 2012 13:44:51 GMT -5
Star. Had mine for 30 plus years.
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Post by AxeHandle on Nov 28, 2012 17:11:06 GMT -5
Star here. There is a lyman or RCBS back on the shelf somewhere but I've never used it. Do have a plan to use it for gas checks one day. On a side note. I have broken a Star sizer with big bore water dropped bullets. I've looked hard at the sizer made by Balisti Cast. We call the Star expensive. The Balisti Cast cost is about 2X the Star. Does use Star dies. If I was a very active big bore hard cast bullet sizer I'd already have one. Maybe I'll order one next week!  |
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bobl44
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 80
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Post by bobl44 on Nov 28, 2012 19:34:19 GMT -5
Thanks for the info about Star. If I told you how many lead bars I have in my shed, you would all call me a lier. I could wholesale half at $1.00 per pound and buy that sherif's model BH. I've cracked the the slab. Good night. ;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2012 19:52:35 GMT -5
Star. I even sold off my original Lymans to offset a good part of the cost.
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bud
.30 Stingray
Posts: 233
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Post by bud on Nov 28, 2012 19:55:27 GMT -5
OKay......I'll bite. Just how much lead to you have in yer shed ?? I'm a poet 'n don't know it.
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Post by bigboredad on Dec 3, 2012 16:42:00 GMT -5
I like my lyman but prefer rcbs dies for it. If the rcbs had a built in heater I would have looked at it harder and if I would have had better cash flow at the time I would have looked at the saeco harder. I really don't know if I shoot enough to justify the extra cost of a star plus I'm a bit simple minded and like simple tools and since I have more time than money the decision was pretty easy for me. They are all going to do what you want some better than others some will do it faster easier and better but they all have their cons and only you can decide what cons you are willing to live with
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bobl44
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 80
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Post by bobl44 on Dec 3, 2012 18:41:33 GMT -5
Looked at thr saeco on their web site MSR was $297.00 same as star. I am going to cash out of a Berretta 303A that I have not shot in years. It should cover the star sizer and dies. I did not know you guys buy your lead by the ton. i'm happy with 1000 lbs of scrounged lead. Cleaned it, cast bars only cost me time and propane. I've been out of the loop just found a rifle caliber I like but marlin only made it for one year 2009. Cleaning up my loading bench next few days, Thanks again for all the feed back, you guys are ok.
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Post by tek4260 on Dec 3, 2012 22:31:13 GMT -5
FWIW, the Lyman 4500 will not size truly straight. The design allows "slop" in the ram and it sizes the bullet off center. You can't see it on a SWC, but on an LBT style it is obvious.  Pretty rough eh? I have tried a flat top punch as well to let the bullet "slide" and it still leaves a bit to be desired. The cure, for me, was to simply buy some of the Lee push thru dies and use them first to size the bullets, then lube them with the 4500. Since the bullet is already sized, the ram doesn't bind and tip the bullet. It adds an extra step, but the results are worth it. |
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Post by subsonic on Dec 3, 2012 23:01:00 GMT -5
That's what I do too tek.
No wonder a lot of people have better accuracy with the largest size or unsized boolits...
The star combines both steps and is faster than just lubing in the Lyman or RCBS.
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Post by pbcaster45 on Dec 5, 2012 8:47:07 GMT -5
I've got two RCBS Lub-A-Matic 2s (one filled with LBT Magnum and the other with SPG) but I do all my initial sizing in Lee Sizing Dies. The Lee Dies do a great job - and the bullets come out straight. This works really well when heat treating too. I'll heat treat bullets sized in the Lee Dies and then run them through the Lub-A-Matic along using a slightly oversized lube die - works great!
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sal
.30 Stingray
Posts: 315
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Post by sal on Dec 7, 2012 23:10:55 GMT -5
could I ask what a Star sells for ? What does the Star sell For ? Thanks. I get so frustrated with lube on the bottom of plain base and gas checks
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 11:47:07 GMT -5
Here's a link to get you started: www.magmaengineering.com/component/banners/click/14/Like everything else, the prices keep going up and up. Sometimes you can find a used Star available, and there is at least one non-Magma sizing die source that can save you some money. I've heard that Ballisticast also offers a manual sizer that would especially appeal to revolver shooters, but I have no first hand experience with one. |
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Post by pbcaster45 on Dec 8, 2012 18:39:28 GMT -5
Sal,
If you are getting lube on the bottom of your bullets try backing off the lube pressure before you eject the bullet. It's an extra bit of work but it works.
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