I'm in the process of cleaning out my garage, and came across one of my old "someday" projects. Years ago, I acquired a Star reloader (a Universal(?), in .38) in a deal, thinking I would clean it up and use it as a spare for my 2 Dillons. (It's a bit dirty, but no significant rust or damage.) Fast-forward 15 years, that never happened and it still sits. To my untrained exam, it appears to operate properly. I've done some checking on-line and found there's a place in NJ that re-habs them, but that seems expensive for something I'll never use; prices on the auction sites seem all over the place. It appears complete, except for the Tube(?) for the case feeder and the primer follower rod. The powder charge (?) reads 2.7 B.



Is it really worth fixing up, or should I just try to sell it?

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Something you don't use in 1 year get rid of it. Let alone 15+. Your talking ammo, use the Dillon and not experiment around w old junk.

I own a Phelps which is a Star twin in .38 Spl. The downside to these old loaders is the powder drop is fixed, they don't automatically advance and where would you find shell plates and dies. So if it's in a caliber which you use ok, if not it's probably a collectible. I'd say $200.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

The Star remains a good machine; all metal and parts are still obtainable from an aftermarket source. The early Dillon was based on the Star design using cheaper materials (frame) but the Dillon certainly has a good reputation as well.

The Star has an excellent adjustable-for-depth priming system that is about as trouble free as you'll find.

If you don't have to buy a lot of parts and everything works properly, you'll give up little or nothing over newer machines by using the Star. With the Universal model, you can switch from .38 Special to other cartridges.

Back in the day I had 3 Star Universals,Star Sizer and greaser and a bunch of H&G 4 cavity molds.

They were well made and if I had them here today they would be what I'd be using.

To call them junk is ignorant and ill informed.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

Do you know if the dies came in .32 S&W Long? I keep one Dillon set up in Small Primer and one in Large Primer, but I guess I could just have this set up in one caliber for low volume, infrequent use if it wasn't cost prohibitive to change it.

I sold a Star with set ups for .38, .45 ACP and 9MM for $600 plus shipping ($100) a couple of years ago I have one in my gun room that I will make a display when I get around to cleaning it. Quality machines!

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Rather than having folks here with their various biases (pro and con) you might want to go over to the Star Reloaders dot Com site and chat with those guys. Two.Hundred.Bucks? I'll take five please! The going rate for complete Progressives seems realistically to start at about $5-600 and the Universals at least $100 more. Junk? I've heard precious metals guys refer to junk gold and junk silver, maybe that's what they meant.

The man who bought the old stock, tooling, and name of Star is Bruce Williams and although I'm sure he makes money at it, it is really a labor of love for him. He frequents that forum and can be contacted through it. If you actually have a Star Universal and not just a Star Progressive, you can get the parts to make it load 32 S&W L (and probably the longer cases too). The Progressive requires a fair amount of extra machining and when I asked him last Bruce wasn't too enthusiastic about doing the conversion. You just have to ask to find out.

Regards and good luck,
Green Frog

Yes, Bruce does good work, he's very helpful, and and his prices are reasonable.

I've had four progressive machines over many years, including two Stars. I didn't really have a need for any progressive as I probably load fewer than 10,000 rounds of handgun ammo a year. A '60s Texan turret press does fine for me and the versatility is unmatched, even if it's slower than more modern equipment.

If I was shopping for a progressive, I wouldn't pass up a Star if it was a Universal model, all there, worked properly, and was reasonably priced. Stars don't index automatically, but this is a feature many don't find necessary or desirable, though some handloaders like it.

I still have a Star cast bullet sizer and about 6 or 7 sizer dies. I have not used it in over 12 years. It has not cost me a dime to sit there, and I don't think I'm interested in selling! Although, several people here have given me insultingly low offers. Star loaders us a different standard thread pattern (something on 3/4"). CH4D dies in Mt. Vernon. Ohio used to stock common dies, (and MAY have some old stock!) and will custom make anything you desire, including Titanium Nitride sizing dies (similar use to Carbide dies expect a wait and a few hundred bucks.) Lee made Carbide sizing dies for Star, and won't warrantee them because they were junk to start with, and the carbide ring cracks after a short life span!

I had friends that used Star loaders and sizers commercially, and produced Millions of bullets and hundreds of thousands of 38 special and 9mm on them. He had a flare for inventing, and made them both pneumatic powered. (all parts were from WW Granger, so nothing special!)

Ivan

Thanks for all the input. I believe I located his website, and sent him an e-mail with the pictures, along with a request for an estimate on the feasibility and cost to convert, along with new springs. The current powder bar appears to be 2.7 BE, which might work for some .32 loads, but that's down the road, if at all.

Yes, join the Star Loading group. The guy in New Jersey who bought the rights and the spare parts and jogs, does a great job of remanufacturing them. I have had a number of them over the years and recently bought one from him in .32 S&W Long. I like it more than my Dillon and for me, for any caliber I shoot in large quantities, I want a dedicated loader set up and ready to go. I use the Stars for the .32 as well as .38 WC, .45 SWC and 9mm.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Once you are sure it is the proper website, please post it

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Here is what I found - the gentleman's name is the same:


Home of the Star Progressive Reloading Tool



[email protected] (e-mail/contact)

Thank you.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

2.7 for Bulls Eye is one of the powder bushings I have for the .32 S&W Long WC, but getting a few more is very inexpensive. ruce is very responsive and a great guy to deal with.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

I had a Star in 45ACP and had 38 special shellplate and dies. I never use the 38 setup. Mine was old and had been badly stored but I got it running and used it a lot but really did not need a progressive so I sold it about a dozen years ago. Very well made and close tolerances they do not tolerate being run dirty. I think I got $250.00 for the one I sold but it has been a while.
I will second the statement about them not being junk. They are quality workmanship from a bygone era.

I paid $700 for my reconditioned (fully - repainted, new dies etc.) and feel it was worth every cent.

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Well, I e-mailed Mr. Williams at StarMachineWorks.com , who was kind enough to to give me a quick estimate as to what it would cost to convert this press to .32 S&W L and & .32 Magnum. Unfortunately, I cannot justify the cost in today's economy, even though it would only be the cost of the parts (~$400, plus or minus any other tweaks) . Mr. Williams was very helpful, and I'm sure must be a valuable resource to Star Press owners/users.


I guess I need to find a new owner who will appreciate the fine engineering of this thing and make use of it, since I can't.


Thanks to all who responded with info and advice.

RWJ, did you determine that you have a Progressive and not a Universal model? Was that $400 to convert a 38 only press with the accompanying alterations or just to add the 32 head and shell plate to a Universal press already designed to convert?
I have a Progressive, but shoot many more 32s than 38s these days, so I would be interested in the former conversion.
Thanks ~ Froggie

The press I have is a universal (changeable calibers), not the fixed single caliber progressive. That figure included the dies and shell plate ($355) (adding a separate taper crimp is $65 more), a #32 powder spout ($20), and a new top plate for the case feeder ($25).



Given the age of the press, I probably would have bought all new springs as well, around $45.


I would have needed case feeder tubes also.

Thanks, RWJ. I guess I’ll keep my old Progressive set up for 38 Spl and shoot my K38 more.
I’ve potentially got a 32 conversion coming for my Dillon 550, so I think that will be my strategy, with any 44s and 45s I load (rare occasions) done on one of my single stage presses. Thanks for sharing.

Froggie

I’m late to this post, but had a few thoughts to share.

The Star reloaders are not in demand, but that’s because the market is trendy and obsessed with the newest, latest and greatest products.

Star reloaders are excellent progressive loading machines that have produced millions of rounds. The Star’s excel for high volume reloading of pistol ammunition. The quality and consistency of that ammunition is equal to the current top of the line loaders.

Caliber conversations are more expensive because the of the tool head, proprietary dies and shell plate.

Personally, I have an original Star in 38, and purchased a ‘new’ star from Bruce to load lots 9mm for significantly less then a comparable Dillon. I use a Dillon 550 to load my other calibers. My Star’s are always set-up and roughly 150% faster then the Dillon.

The Dillon’s are good, but don’t underestimate the Stars just because they’re old and don’t make headlines.

PS: Bruce, Dave, Rich and the other Star experts can be found here: StarReloaders.com Discussion Forum - Index

I have the conversion somewhere in my workshop to convert to .32 for the 550, but I specified that I wanted to be able to load .32 S&W , as well as 32 Mag. They kept sending a funnel that would only work for .32 S&W long and .32 Magnum. It took about 3 tries, even after telephone conversations, until I found someone who understood ; I think the funnel they finally sent and got right was for .32ACP, because it worked then. The longer funnel would bottom out.

Good info RWJ. I load so few 32 S&W (“short”) that I can get by with my set of 19th Century S&W hand tools. I believe I’ve loaded less than 100 of them ever. I’m concerned that Dillon won’t go the other way. They specifically say their dies won’t load the longer 327 FM though every set of modern dies from other manufacturers (at least Lee, Lyman, and RCBS) will. Go figure!

Froggie

A lot of neat history associated with the old Starr loaders. They will built to last and tough as nails, and smooth as a Cadillac. I have owned the original Starr loader and the later Starr Universal Loaders. Years ago I was able to get a lot of information from Fitz of Fitz Grips in CA. Downside is no case activated powder dispenser.

If I had an old Star laying around that I wanted to get rid of, I would go over to the Bull’s-elEye L forum and do a little research there in the sales section that they call Commercial Row. Those folks shoot alot, and they like the old classic equipment. You’ll find several that have sold that should give you an idea what you can get for yours.

Many years ago, I had a friend who had a Star. We loaded many thousands of .38 Special rounds with it. I have no need for one today. My Posness Warren Metalmatic does all I need even though it is slower than the Star.

I may have told the story about the Sheriff’s department back in my old Ohio home town, They had a jail trusty who loaded all their practice ammo using a Star loader. I think the same practice ammo was also used by the city PD. I once saw him at work, he was fast.

The lateJim Hoag was a big fan of their machines.

For you youngsters that call them junk.......Ya don't know!....Back in the late 50's and on through the 60's the STAR Machines RULED. They were about the only quality progressive loaders out there(at that time Mike Dillon was probably still in high school). Their lubers and sizers were quality too. Small cartridge manufacturers used them all the time.....So. Next time know your subject before you comment.

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S&W Accumulator