RCBS Summit press inconsistent shoulder bump

[6Creed73]

I wanted an extra press with a small footprint that I could take to the range with me and the Summit seemed to fit the bill. I specifically wanted something that doesn't hang over the edge, again, Summit checked that box.

I set it up at home to size some brass and this thing is terribly inconsistent. All the brass is from the same lot and fired in my rifle and they all measure the same with a comparator. I tried to set my Mighty Armory die to bump .002 but it was all over the place. Sometimes it would bump .006, and sometimes .001 and everything in between. So I changed to a Redding Type S die and got the same result. I must of went through 20 pieces of brass trying to get a consistent bump.

I know it's not the brass or the dies because I put the Mighty Armory die in my RCBS Rebel and sized the rest of them with exactly .002 bump. So, it has to be the press.

Before I send this pos back, I thought I'd check here to see if there is a trick to getting this press to size consistently.

 

[Bill K]

Summit press, I have found has a little too much play in the toggles on the ram and this can cause issues with slight changes in brass measurements, like your experience.
I would just stick to a good solid press like the Rockchucker, if you want to stay with RCBS and return the summit.

 

[Sandstorm]

I would only use it to seat bullets and for this it works well as far as I know.

 

[6Creed73]

Summit press, I have found has a little too much play in the toggles on the ram and this can cause issues with slight changes in brass measurements, like your experience.
I would just stick to a good solid press like the Rockchucker, if you want to stay with RCBS and return the summit.

I have an RCBS Rebel as my main press. It's like the Rockchucker, but beefier. I was looking for something a bit more portable to take to the range. I'm sending this Summit back and might just get the Forster Coax. It's not as compact as the Summit, but at least I know it's a good press.

 

[K22]

I believe this press moves the die down to the case rather than using the ram to insert the case into the die. I wonder if this could be the source of the inconsistency, i.e., the die is not consistently making square contact with the shoulder of the case since the initial die set up is not squared up to the shell holder.

I have 50+ year old RCBS Jr. press that has quite a bit of play in the linkages from many years of hard use. However, I am still able to achieve fairly consistent sizing by setting the FL die with extra cam over firmly squaring the die with shell holder. Then I use Skip Shims to incrementally reduce the amount of cam over to obtain the optimum amount of sizing I want.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The regular Redding Boss press is a really nice smaller press option.

 

[6Creed73]

The regular Redding Boss press is a really nice smaller press option.

I'll check it out. Thanks

 

[Jetpilot]

I have an RCBS Rebel as my main press. It's like the Rockchucker, but beefier. I was looking for something a bit more portable to take to the range. I'm sending this Summit back and might just get the Forster Coax. It's not as compact as the Summit, but at least I know it's a good press.

Be careful of the Coax as well, I am struggling to get my bumps consistent using one. I quick Google will show you many experience the same issue using the Co-ax so its not just me. Some said it was too much lube and that definately does have an effect but still not great. I am ordering the Redding competition shell holders and change the plate to see if its any better otherwise I will be putting the Coax to the side. Just to be clear before everyone jumps on me, I am looking for sub 0.001with my bumps, 2 thou or more might be fine for hunting or club matches but wont cut it at the top level. Cheers

 

[6Creed73]

Be careful of the Coax as well, I am struggling to get my bumps consistent using one. I quick Google will show you many experience the same issue using the Co-ax so its not just me. Some said it was too much lube and that definately does have an effect but still not great. I am ordering the Redding competition shell holders and change the plate to see if its any better otherwise I will be putting the Coax to the side. Just to be clear before everyone jumps on me, I am looking for sub 0.001with my bumps, 2 thou or more might be fine for hunting or club matches but wont cut it at the top level. Cheers

I won't knock you for wanting sub .001 margin of error, I don't even want that much.

I'll look at some of the reviews on the coax. I've always heard good things, but if it can't size consistently I have no use for it.

 

[nakneker]

I don’t own a summit, never have but I have seen one upgrade that has been offered here in the past. Is he still making them? I don’t know. Link below.

RCBS Summit Single Stage Press Upgrade

Updated 2/4/2024 I make an upgrade for the RCBS Summit Reloading Press. My upgrade is a single pin that replaces the two bolts and nuts that connect the toggle links to the operating handle. One Piece SS Upper Pivot Pin for RCBS Summit Press This one piece upper pivot pin replaces the two...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

A couple things.

If you don't have the stainless pin upgrade naknekar linked to, consider it.

I don't use my Summit for bumping shoulders, typically, as I broke a handle resizing 8.6 blackout brass. I do have that stainless pin upgrade in my Summit.

I also have an RCBS Rock Chucker that I bump shoulders with. I can and do use the Summit to bump shoulders also, haven't seen an issue.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

As much as I like my old Rockchucker, I wanted a smaller "C" frame press with a center handle on the bench and at the range- So I bucked the trend and bought a Lyman Ideal. I have mounted it using a Dillon power stand - and It's working out well for me.