Completely overwhelmed by inherited Star reloading equipment

[Guthrie]

I recently inherited a number of reloading supplies from my late uncle and some stuff my dad was no longer using. I am new to reloading, and have hesitated flat out asking for help, but after a month of cleaning researching, and figuring out how all this equipment works I am still lost as to what the best decision to do with this equipment is.

To begin I have a Universal Star Reloader currently set up in .45, as well as a Star luber and resizer with some of the original manuals. There also seems to be a number of length and size primer tubes, as well as spare parts like primer feeds and powder measure?

Secondly I got from my dad a True Line Junior currently set up in .38.

Thirdly I have 3 die sets in 45C, 45ACP and .38 respectively for a Pacific Reloader. (Which I dont have, who knows what happened to it.)

Now I have done a lot of research on the Star reloader and realize its history and place. Unfortunately currently I don't shoot .45. I do however shoot a lot of .38, .357, .223, and .40.

Is it worth it to sell all this stuff and buy myself a decent modern setup (although from what I understand this is all quality despite its age) Or should I go the distance to get a .38 plate and such for the Star and figure out what to do with the rest.

Sorry this is so long, but I don't know anyone that knows anything about this stuff.

 

[454PB]

Wow, you're a lucky guy. I don't own a Star loader, but I do own a Star lubisizer identical to yours. These are considered the Cadillac of lubrisizers, and sell like hotcakes if you so decide. They are still made by Magma Engineering, and parts and accessories fit fine in the older Stars. I understand that the loaders are equally treasured, but may be harder to find parts for. You might want to look around here:

http://www.starreloaders.com/

I owned a Truline press many years ago, but sold it due to it's smaller than normal dies, which are hard to find.

Those Pacific dies are industry standard, and will work in any loading press with 7/8" X 14 tpi threads.

There are people that buy older loading equipment as "collectibles", and some of the gear you pictured falls in that category.

But, if it were mine, I'd hang on to it, use what is complete and functional, and buy whatever other equipment you need. As you said, it's all quality gear.

 

[Guthrie]

Yea I have been reading up on starreloaders.com for a while, but the community is not very active anymore and its difficult when you're not 100% sure what everything does.

 

[rondog]

Just my suggestion.....

I'd say to definitely keep all that stuff, but go buy yourself a Lee Classic Turret Press and some books, and start with that. I think you'll learn a lot more about reloading, and quicker, with less frustration that way.

Then, you'll have a greater understanding and apreciation for the equipment you have now, and what you can do with it. That stuff "ain't eatin' no hay", so stash it for later.

Cabela's has the most complete "kit" I've seen for the Classic, that's where I got mine. Just need dies, cases, primers, powder and bullets.

And it grows from there. God help you!

 

[cdrt]

Yea I have been reading up on starreloaders.com for a while, but the community is not very active anymore and its difficult when you're not 100% sure what everything does.

Probably because a lot of us post on other forums like this one besides the one at www.starreloaders.com.

If you need some help with the Star re: how it works, what it's worth, etc. send me a PM and I'll try and help. I have two Stars, one in .38 Spl and one in .45 ACP.

 

[Guthrie]

Thanks for the help, ill take a look at the Lee, and stop by Cabelas and see what they have. Obviously if I am keeping this equipment I would want to save as much money as possible. After all the idea behind reloading for me is to make shooting more affordable.

 

[scrat]

OMG that is like the cadilac of reloaders. wow Sorry to hear about your father. However that star is worth 10 times its weight. Oh and welcome to THR

 

[SSN Vet]

the Star lube-sizers certainly are coveted.

Don't know anything about their presses, but that sure looks like a stout beast, that should serve you well.

Call up the folks at Magma Engineering. I don't know if they have the rights to any of the other Star equipment, but perhaps they have electronic copies of the old manuals they could send you.

I think there's a lot of wisdom in what rondog said. Kempfs is another good source for a LCT kit.

Is you dad still "pulling the lever"? I would have loved it if my dad could have tought me about firearms and re-loading.

Sorry for the loss of your uncle and welcome to THR

 

[lordgroom]

Definitely keep everything. Looks like you already have a Lyman Turret press there in addition to the Star. The star lubrisizer is only useful if you plan to cast, which I recommend. Use what you can and buy what you need in pieces. You have some very interesting and valuable stuff there.

 

[Guthrie]

My dad said, he used the Tru-line close 20 years ago he said to reload some .38s but never used it again when he got into law enforcement and the state started paying for his ammo. The Star was passed from my uncle close to 20 years ago to my grandfather, and from him to my dad and then to me.

Thanks for the welcomes, ive been around for over a year now, but just getting around to posting.

 

[lee n. field]

I owned a Truline press many years ago, but sold it due to it's smaller than normal dies, which are hard to find.

I seem to recall stumbling across somebody online who made turrets for them to use normal dies.

 

[Otto]

Is it worth it to sell all this stuff and buy myself a decent modern setup....

Personally, I'd sell it. Shellplates for Star run upwards of $100 when you can find them. The Lyman Truline takes it's own special dies so who wants that?
Better off cashing-out and applying the proceeds towards a Dillon.
Mike Dillon actually use to work for Star which is another story all together.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Sell nothing - you'll end up regretting it down the road.

I load with a Dillon 550B and that would be my recomendation, but they all work well.

Eventually you may use the inherited equipment as you expand your reloading and even if you don't, you'll still have the fruits of your elders close at hand.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I recently inherited a number of reloading supplies from my late uncle and some stuff my dad was no longer using. I am new to reloading, and have hesitated flat out asking for help, but after a month of cleaning researching, and figuring out how all this equipment works I am still lost as to what the best decision to do with this equipment is.

Guthrie,
Since you Dad know how to use everything you now have why not just ask him to show you how it all works? At any age, any time you can spend with your Dad is a very good day. I would think that would be a great way to spend an afternoon...

BTW, did you see the Star Manuals available from StarReloaders.com at the bottom of the page of the link I just provided?

 

[Guthrie]

Thanks to everyone for the advice, I gave my dad a call and I decided to try and trade Star and Lubesizer for a complete reloading setup. I think thats probably my best bet with my inexperience and I already have some amazing target pistols from said uncle, so his hobby will be preserved.

 

[Mal H]

Well, we happen to have a true expert on the Star reloading gear in one of the mods of this forum - Paul Jones. I'm going to change your thread title a little to catch his eye when he logs in.

 

[lordgroom]

What are you looking for for the star lubrisizer? I am interested.