New addition to my bench: Magma Star Sizer

novalty · Jun 22, 2015

Well after sizing and lubing about 700 of my 9mm cast bullets on my RCBS LAM2 a couple weeks ago, my rheumatoid arthritis was telling me I better figure something else out. So had to add some lesser used items to the chopping block, and ordered up a new Magma Star bullet sizer from Magma Engineering. They had them right in-stock and I had it in 2 days--pretty impressive from Arizona to Maine. Just waiting on my order to arrive this week with sizing dies, top-punches, and a roller handle from Lathesmith over at Castboolits.

Can't wait to try this beauty out.

m657 · Jun 22, 2015

[Lust factor ON]

Rule3 · Jun 22, 2015

Yep, you need more "stuff"

I do not cast, but sure looks like well made machine!

novalty · Jun 22, 2015

Rule3 said:
Yep, you need more "stuff"

I do not cast, but sure looks like well made machine!

It is a push through size & lube design--eliminating the upstroke motion required on the RCBS LAM2 that I used to have. If you skip ahead to about 2:50 into this video you can see it in action.

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tW0XVAhRIe0[/ame]

daardvark · Jun 22, 2015

I like the Star a lot but now I just use it as a sizer only. Switched to coated bullets now I run coated bullets through the Star. How did the RCBS aggravate your arthritis? I know the stock Star handle is brutal on the hands. I have a friend with the roller handle and it is much nicer but I just haven't gotten one yet. Magma is a great company and they make very solid and reliable equipment.

Thanks for turning me onto Lathesmith too. I thought I HAD to get dies from Magma. At $52 per die the cost of the Star quickly translates into the collection of dies. Nice to see alternatives exist.

This is my setup. The Star is on the far right of my bench. I didn't like the Star hanging over the front of my bench. I mounted it farther back and then drilled a hole and attached a clear plastic pipe. Bullets slide down into a bucket. It slows them down and is easy to work with.

novalty · Jun 22, 2015

Daardvark, nice setup! I was considering putting my Star further back on my bench like you did, but wasn't sure how difficult die changes would be. If you could send some info on the tubing and how you mounted it--I'd appreciate it.

With the RCBS LAM2, my hands got tired as you have to push down to size the bullet, the push back up to get the bullet out of the sizing die--both required effort. When I placed my order from Lathesmith, I order 2 sizing dies with top punches, nuts with set screws for the top punches, and a roller L-handle. In the future I might add something for an official heater, right now I've just been using a no-heat lube (TAC1), and having a hair dryer on the sizer for a little while before I first start. Everyone says to get the air assist, but the sizer and accessories was a lot of money, and I didn't have anything else to put on chopping block.

novalty · Jun 24, 2015

Received my sizing dies, top-punches, and roller handle today from Lathesmith over at Castboolits. Can't wait to try it out.

MichiganScott · Jun 24, 2015

Nice. Kinda like having a new Cadillac or pick-up (your choice) in the drive.

Ivan the Butcher · Jun 24, 2015

I have one of these sizers actually made by Starr and .355,.357.432 & .452 sizer dies. I still use Lyman 450 and 4500 sizers (and about 35 size dies) and only mount the Starr for 2000 piece minimum batches. My 4500 has only had SPG black powder lube in it. A commercial loader I know uses a blow dryer as a heater. To avoid heartache, just buy the wife a new one, they don't clean up well! Ivan

Magload · Jun 24, 2015

That is cool now you got me thinking about casting. Don

daardvark · Jun 25, 2015

Novalty, I am on the road this week but I'll post a pic of how the tube attaches when I get home. I was fortunate to find a clear tube at Lowes with an ID that exactly fit a standard plumbing attachment. The tube friction fits to the attachment. A picture will help I am sure.

For me the dies are no harder to remove. I took off the rubber O-rings so they pull out easily. I should have put it a few inches closer to the front edge but at the time, no good reason, I centered it. If you drill the hole through the desk the size of your sizer die hole, a short, fat dowel is still really easy to use to pop out a stuck die.

I shoot a lot of 35 caliber so I don't resize until I load. I have several bullets that I will size from .355-.358 depending my need. Reloading for me starts with a trip to the Star after a visit to a rather large stock of un-sized cast bullets. I like the Star a lot.

fredj338 · Jun 25, 2015

You'll never go back after using the Star. I sold my Lyman, but wish I would have kept if for the few times & size gc bullets. The Star isn't really setup for gc. I mounted my orginal on an elev steel angle setup so I could put a bin underneath, made the handle. I only buy new dies from Lathesmith.

novalty · Jun 25, 2015

Fredj338, thanks for posting the pic. I just drew up plans for a wooden one this morning with a similar design to drop through into a plastic bin. Was thinking of leaving the bottom board longer so it was beyond sides so I could bolt to my bench. Then mount the Star to the top, and drill hole for sized bullets to fall into the pull out bin.

Got the extra holes in my .358 sizing die plugged with lead shot last night. Measured and setup the top punch this morning, lubed and installed the die, and added some TAC1 lube. Hoping to mount the sizer tonight and try out, just hope I don't have difficulty sizing the first few bullets like I have read. Going to lube the first bullet up before I put in the sizer.

Doubless · Jun 25, 2015

I have had an original Star since the early 90s, and just flat would not take for it. I, unlike another poster, have no significant trouble seating GCs with it, either. If they don't snap on, I put them atop the base of the bullet and they crimp right on. I do lube nose down, and use one bottom punch for everything from .225 to .459"... it is absolutely the best tool out there for lubing and sizing, although I do still use my old Lyman 45 for special occasions.

fredj338 · Jun 25, 2015

novalty said:
Fredj338, thanks for posting the pic. I just drew up plans for a wooden one this morning with a similar design to drop through into a plastic bin. Was thinking of leaving the bottom board longer so it was beyond sides so I could bolt to my bench. Then mount the Star to the top, and drill hole for sized bullets to fall into the pull out bin.

Got the extra holes in my .358 sizing die plugged with lead shot last night. Measured and setup the top punch this morning, lubed and installed the die, and added some TAC1 lube. Hoping to mount the sizer tonight and try out, just hope I don't have difficulty sizing the first few bullets like I have read. Going to lube the first bullet up before I put in the sizer.

That will work, or you can just run any lubed bullet thru the die to get a coating inside the die, doesn't take much. Have fun.

fredj338 · Jun 25, 2015

Doubless said:
I have had an original Star since the early 90s, and just flat would not take for it. I, unlike another poster, have no significant trouble seating GCs with it, either. If they don't snap on, I put them atop the base of the bullet and they crimp right on. I do lube nose down, and use one bottom punch for everything from .225 to .459"... it is absolutely the best tool out there for lubing and sizing, although I do still use my old Lyman 45 for special occasions.

The issue I have had with some gc is the lube pressure pushes them off slightly & they don't crimp properly. So if running a gc, I size them first, no lube, just to seat the gc. Then run them thru again with lube pressure. Plus all the bullets have to have extra handling vs a RCBS or Lyman, just drop the check into their die & place the bullet on top, usually works.
I shoot very few gc designs anymore, had gc removed from several pistol molds. Just not needed for most handgun use, even magnums, & adds quite a bit higher cost to the bullet, unless you make them yourself.

novalty · Jun 25, 2015

Got the Star mounted to my bench tonight.

Stopped by local hardware store to see about a plastic bin to catch bullets, but $9 was more than I wanted to pay, so I designed the shelf around a more common reloading tool.

Think I will try to fashion something for a bullet tray mounted to the left to get unsized bullets closer to sizer.

Frank237 · Jun 26, 2015

My basement runs about 55 degrees during the winter unless I heat it. So I opted for the heater base with my STAR. Makes starting up, much quicker when I lube slugs in the Winter months.

+1 on Lathesmith! Far cheaper than buying from the Factory.

garbler · Jun 26, 2015

That looks like a very nice sizer and as a well made Star Knock-off you'll never need or want a better tool. I run Star presses and sizers and can't say enough good things about them. It took me many years to trade into my Stars but when I finally completed my quest I never looked back. Mike Dillon owes them boys a big thanks for showing him the way.

Regards

Magload · Jun 26, 2015

I think you should have went with a blue catch bin. I use those containers also but try to keep them away from the 550 they clash to much. Don

New addition to my bench: Magma Star Sizer

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