Star Progressive Reloader Instructions Manual

							INSTRUCTIONS for 
Installing and Operating the Star 
Progressive Reloading Machine 
 
If you are not an experienced reloader you should get assistance from some experienced 
person, preferably some one that has operated the Star tool. There have been many guns blown 
apart and some personal injuries on account of faulty operation and care of the loading tools. The 
modern pistol powders have approximately the power of dynamite, and primers may ignite very 
easily. We recommend wearing plastic goggles for face mask while operating the tool. 
Remember the loader has no brains, and the powder carrier delivers a charge every time it 
completes its cycle whether you want it to or not, and the primer carrier dies the same.  
The tool needs lubricating but you must keep the powder carrier, housing and spout free 
from all traces of oil. Keep the tool head on that relative location perfectly dry by wiping with 
rag. This applies to primer carrier also. This is extremely important.  
INSTALLING MACHINE 
In order that you may have the correct position for reloading, you should build a bench by 
using a board 4 feet or more in length; about 2 inches thick and 12 inches wide, using 3 or 4 legs 
long enough to make the bench about the same height as a chair. In the center of the bench build 
up a portion 5 inches high, making holes in the top for the loaded shells and fired primers to drop 
through into trays set under the reloader and on top of the bench; then bolt the reloader down on 
the top of the raised portion. 
The raised portion should extend out far enough to the left of the reloader to have room to 
set two trays containing empty shells and bullets. 
This arrangement will leave room enough on one end of the bench for the operator to sit 
while reloading and should you have a helper, he can sit on the other end. 
After you have your reloader installed and before trying to do any reloading, you should 
make a study of each operation. Before filling the powder magazine or putting primers in the 
tube, we would suggest that you run a few empty shells through, bringing the lever all the way 
down each time you insert and position a shell in the plate, and watch carefully each station so 
that you will know just what is taking place, at the same time you will learn why there is a 
loaded shell at each stroke of the lever.  
To fill the shell plate, insert a shell in opening at left and shift to the right with a slight snap, 
stopping at the first station, allowing the place to rebound back a trifle, (which will allow the 
finished reload to drop through the base of the machine when you are reloading). 
Now move the safety cam at the left forward so that you can pull the lever all the way down. 
Repeat this operation until all four stations are filled. Then, when you move the next shell to the 
first station, you will notice that the shell that drops through the base will push the safety cam 
over before falling through. 
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							When you think you fully understand all of the operations you can arrange for reloading by 
inserting the long brass tube (which is the primer magazine) into the brass ferrule at the right of 
machine; be sure it seats to the bottom in ferrule. Use the short tube (there is one for each size 
primer) for picking up the primers. After placing them in a flat bottom container, push the filler 
tube don over the primers that are closed end up. When full, invert over primer magazine, pull 
cotter pin and push primers out of the filler into the magazine. Place the rod GENTLY on top of 
the primers. This helps them to feed, and be sure they are feeding by taking notice now and then 
to see if the rod is lowering. DO NOT JAM the rod in the magazine as you may ignite primers. 
After the first shell has passed the priming station, you can now fill the powder magazine, 
and be sure the shell is under the powder spout before you pull the lever or you will drop powder 
on the machine and gum it up. 
When the shell is moved to the next station you use your left hand to place a bullet in 
position over the shell, pull the lever down until the bullet enters the die, then remove fingers as 
you bring the lever all the way down. 
Some operators prefer to place the bullet in the case under the powder charger after the case 
has been charged before indexing the plate. 
Do not try to load too fast in the beginning, but be sure you are doing everything correctly. 
After you have operated the machine for a short time you will find that you can place the bullet 
without looking in that direction. 
Be sure the loaded shell drops through each time or it will jam the machine the next time 
you pull the lever. 
Note: Rim shells are the only ones that will drop through the machine. Rimless shell must be 
fingered out of the port at the safety cam.  
Do not operate the safety cam with fingers from now on, let it operate automatically. 
Be sure you shells are clean and use the same size primers. See instructions for changing 
primer punch. 
You are now handling explosives at your own risk and face all dangers in accord with them. 
You must exercise extreme precaution and bear in mind that you are operating a powder charging 
machine.  
Every complete or nearly complete stroke of the lever throws a charge of powder. Be sure 
you know what you are doing before pulling the lever. If in doubt, inspect the shell under the 
powder spout by removing it. 
If for any reason the machine fails to operate with usual pressure, DO NOT FORCE but 
locate the cause.  
CAUSES OF THE MACHINE JAMMING 
When out of primers, the feed rod enters the carrier and locks shifting plate. 
If you fail to punch out old primer a new one cannot enter. 
If you try to put a large primer in small pocket. 
If shell strikes the end of resizing die instead of entering. 
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							TO CHANGE PRIMER SLIDES, TOOL HEADS AND PUNCH 
Unhook tool head spring. Drive out taper pin that holds T casting at top, lift it and tool head 
off. Remove stop pin in safety cam and swing clear. Loosen clamp screw in thrust nut, and 
remove nut and plate from machine. 
Unscrew primer slide angle lever screw (#50) enough to raise angle lever (#48) so primer 
slide will come out. Remove primer punch nut with slotted screw driver. By punching down on 
the plunger at left, primer punch will raise so you may grasp it with fingers or tweezers. After 
changing primer punches cinch slotted nut securely.  
Be sure to use large slide with large punch and small slide with small punch. 
When you have put the shell plate back on the machine, screw thrust nut clear down on plate 
and back off about 1/8th. of a turn. Secure clamp screw in nut. Plate must turn freely but should 
not have excessive up and down play. 
 
NOTE: ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT 
To adjust primer slide bend the cam (that operates the angle 
lever) either in or 
out as necessary to cause the inner end of primer slide to just touch 
the main column, without any strain on the angle lever, when the 
handle is all the way down. 
TO ADJUST PRIMERS IN SHELL 
Should you like the primers to seat deeper in the shell, just lower the adjustable push rod at 
the left of resizing die. This rod operates the lever in the base of the tool that seats the primer. 
Should you try to operate the tool when the primer tube is empty, you may strain the primer 
feed parts as the follower rod drops in the slide and locks it.  
If primers show indication of going in shell crosswise or crooked, not special instructions for 
adjusting primer carrier outlined by border. If this does not correct trouble, a new slide is needed.  
CAUTIONS 
DO NOT put powder in hopper unless you have a shell at that station to receive it as you 
will charge powder on the plate and gum it up. 
DO NOT leave powder in the hopper from day to day as it will cake and you will be 
bothered with blanks. To remove powder, unscrew hopper and slip a card under it while you turn 
it over. Dump back in your powder can. REMOVE ALL SHELLS and primer feed rods and 
pump out balance of powder on piece of paper by working lever. 
DO NOT use unusual force in any operation of the machine as there is possibility of igniting 
a primer (should one become wedged) or injuring some delicate part of the machine. 
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							DO NOT oil the powder slide or allow oil to run into it from the machine; keep hopper clean 
and dry. 
DO NOT FINGER the safety cam after the first finished shell operates it as there is danger 
of double charging if you do.  
DO NOT FORGET your powder hopper and let it run empty. 
DO NOT use gasoline or solvent on your shells. It makes them so dry that they may stick to 
the die and cause scratches. After your shells are clean and free of grit just before starting to 
reload, dip the tips of your fingers in hydrous lanolin and stir the shells. A very little lubrication 
will keep them from sticking.  
IMPORTANT NOTICE 
NEVER USE FORCE WHEN HANDLING PRIMERS 
Should a defective primer become lodged in the tube, a few taps on the side of the tube will 
usually dislodge it. Operators have been injured by trying to drive the primers through the tubes 
with a piece of metal. 
After all a primer that would not explode by hammering will not do so in the gun. 
CARE OF STAR PROGRESSIVE LOADER 
Keep all parts subject to wear, including cam that operates angle lever, slightly lubricated 
(except the powder carrier). Lubricate primer slide with small amount of dry graphite only. 
(Keep tubes clean and dry.) 
Keep this instruction sheet and refer to it occasionally. 
 
 
 
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