I am jumping in whole hog into this bullet making. I have a thread for the rest of my purchases in the main section but am getting a Star so I will put that part here. After reading a bunch I decided to go ahead now and get the Star sizer/luber and the dies with top punches from Lathesmith. Several questions though that I could not find by searching.
I will start off with the plain machine, may add the bullet feeder, for my 45 anyway, later. Probably will get the heater or some type of heating it by this summer. Air does not seem to impress me much yet, but that may change after my first session of 500 - 1000 bullets....have to wait and see on that one. For now I just want to get started.
Question on the dies.....I have only used the 200 grain LSWC from Missouri Bullets for years but will probably be buying the Lee die for that bullet. So do you get a die for a 45 caliber SWC? Or is this something really specific? Like you get a die for every mold? Obviously every caliber but do you need one for different 200 grain SWC molds? This may make me buy a nice mold now if I would have to buy a different sizing die later if I upgrade molds. Sorry for the totally beginner questions but I did look first. From what I have read, it seems like this is the case. I figure I would have to have a separate die for a 200 grain RN and a 200 grain SWC.
Question on the top punches.....Are these caliber specific? Or are they caliber and bullet mold specific? ie: Will the same one work for 9mm as 45 acp? Will the same one work for 45 200 grain SWC and RN?
What is the best lube to use for my new machine? With heat and without as I'm still undecided on that part?
Anything else that I am needing besides machine, lube, dies and top punch just to get started?
Thanks guys/gals,