How does the Star sizer put on gas checks? Is the top punch close to the diameter of the bullet? I as ask this becuase I have a Ballisti-cast's Mark VI sizer and was told by them that it wouldn't put on gas checks. The ballisti-cast sizer can use the Star sizing die, so I don't understand why it can't put on gas checks. Thanks.

[ 08-28-2003, 23:23: Message edited by: Sean ]

I put the check on the bullet base as I feed the bullets through the Star nose first. They pop out the bottom lubed, sized and checked. The "punch" is just a flat rod . I have one @ .260 and one @ .40 and the two of them handle everything I do. BD

There are a number of ways actually.

Base first snug fitting check:

I have a small square of aluminum stock that I lay across the sizer die hole and just set a check with a bullet in it on top of the aluminum plate an carefully seat it square with the ram. Then remove the plate and just size base first where the check will be crimped in place.

Nose First snug fitting check:

I've also just sized nose first with a bullet and check seated on the base of the bullet. Use a flat faced punch when sizing this way. The check will be crimped in place on the push through as well.

Base First Loose fitting check:

If the check fits the base of the bullet loosely, I'll set the check in the top of the sizer and set a bullet on it and push through base first.

Nose First Loose fitting check:

I've also just set a bullet in the die nose first, set a check on the base and pushed it through where it is crimped in place. Again, using a flat faced punch.

The bullet punch should be close to the diameter of the sizer die within reason. Some do but I don't use one diameter punch for all calibers. This can cause the bullet tipping on it's way through the die. IE a 358 diameter punch being used for 430 bullets as an extreme example.

A close punch diameter to the majority of your calibers will probably suffice though.

Marshall Stanton over at Beartooth Bullets sizes virtually all his bullets in the nose first fashion with a flat faced punch. Gas checked and Plain based.

Regards

[ 08-29-2003, 06:09: Message edited by: Headstamp ]

Hey It's BD, the guy from up north!

The very same! You've got more patience than I have. I don't use any molds which don't allow a check to fit snug and be applied as part of the nose first sizing operation. I like that steady pop, pop, pop, pop.... of the bullets through the star. BD