RCBS Summit

[avidflyer]

Whos using a RCBS Summit press? Been looking for a new press and debating between a rock crusher or the co ax and just saw reviews on the summit. Have a lee ive used for the last 10 years and starting to get some play in it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have a summit and its perfect for seating bullets- sizing not so much. Id go with a redding press. I have a turret model (t5,t7 whatever) and its very nice. Lyman orange crush is good. Rcbs partner is good on the cheap. The summit has no camover and when sizing simple cases even the seemingly 4' long handle is too short. Like the thought tho

 

[Joe Salt]

Got a Summit though it would be nice to have, forget sizing with it all I use it for is knocking out primers. When is RCBS going to get smart and bring back the A-4 Big Max.

Joe Salt

 

[45bpcr]

I bit and bought one. The Red White and Blue model. It's good for seating bullets, neck sizing and other light duty chores. I tried forming 45-70 brass into 40-65 and snapped two handles.
At that point I went back to my Rockchucker and the Summit went back in the box.

Craig

 

[M-61]

I have 2. No problems. One I use with the short handle and seat bullets. Excellent 'feel'. The other I use for sizing. Not a problem either but by design you do have to lean into it a bit. Once it is set up properly and the many adjustment screws set it is fine. They sit next to an A-4 which I use for forming.
The Summit is very solid with a huge ram (and a grease fitting). If you have to have a press mounted in the middle of a bench it will do that (or on the edge not obstructing any drawers beneath it). The handle should be screwed in securely so there is NO exposed threads (which will be the weak point if not tightened!).There are two flats on the handle for tightening the handle.
Having two I think says I do like them.
All of the above is only MY personal experience and preference supported by NO scientific testing what so ever.
Reminds me of my Hollywood Senior.

 

[amlevin]

I've had one for some time now and use it for everything from 9mm pistol to 30-06.

Mostly .223 and .308. Am impressed with how straight sized cases come out with total indicated runout at or less than .001"

With proper lube (I use Hornady Unique) I have yet to have an issue with sizing or broken handles. (PS, RCBS warns that if the handles aren't screwed in and tightened with a wrench they can break. Right there in the instructions.).


I love the fact that this press doesn't need to hang over the edge of the bench. Mount it anywhere you want. If you need a place for primers to drop, just drill a hole in the bench top and place a waste basket under the hole.

I prefer to de-prime with a Frankford Arsenal depriming tool and then cleaning all my cases before they get anywhere near dies and press.

I love my Summit Press. If you get one, just be prepared to adjust the guide screws. Tighten one while holding handle horizontal tight enough so the handle doesn't drop when you release it. Then back off VERY LITTLE until the handle just starts to fall on it's own. Repeat for the other screw. Put some good EP grease in the guide groove and you have a press that will yield sized cases or seated bullets with little or no run-out.


I added the Hornady L-N-L bushing kit to mine for added convenience. Haven't had to adjust a die in a bushing since I did that.

 

[bigedp51]

I did a little research after my first posting and saw good and bad reviews and have some questions on the Summit Press.

1. Do you have to assemble the press from the factory?
2. Is there a tool to center the ram with the shell holder during assembly?
3. Have any of you with this press had problems with ram and shell holder alignment or movement.

The early models had four screws holding the ram and this was changed to six screws. And the RCBS videos mentioned as long as the press is assembled correctly the ram and shell holder "should be aligned". So has anyone had any problems?


RCBS Summit Press Works Great in the Shop and in the Field
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/06/rcbs-summit-press-works-great-in-the-shop-and-in-the-field/

 

[M-61]

I did a little research after my first posting and saw good and bad reviews and have some questions on the Summit Press.

1. Do you have to assemble the press from the factory?
2. Is there a tool to center the ram with the shell holder during assembly?
3. Have any of you with this press had problems with ram and shell holder alignment or movement.

The early models had four screws holding the ram and this was changed to six screws. And the RCBS videos mentioned as long as the press is assembled correctly the ram and shell holder "should be aligned". So has anyone had any problems?



RCBS Summit Press Works Great in the Shop and in the Field
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/06/rcbs-summit-press-works-great-in-the-shop-and-in-the-field/

1.NO
2.N/A (for shell holder)
3.NO

Shell holder is fixed. (stationary ..no adjustment)
Ram has a unique adjustment to stabilize any movement and align.
As with most equipment, going over each part to ensure it is tightened, aligned, etc., is needed (advisable).

Due to lack of mechanical advantage I would not make this a choice for forming cases. Possibly called a 'single' link or toggle design.
However... ROBUST would be putting it mildly.
I have not seen the RCBS video so I can't speak to what they mean by "...as long as the press is assembled correctly..."
All the hardware is heavy duty with locking nuts. (nyloc).

 

[rvn1968]

I do not own a Summit so perhaps I should not be on this thread. The OP did say he {she} is shopping. I have the Forster co-ax and it is the best IMHO. I use a Dillon for my turret and it has never failed me; it does all of my pistol ammo. When I run out of 223/5.56,that will probably go on the Dillon. Tom

 

[amlevin]

I have not seen the RCBS video so I can't speak to what they mean by "...as long as the press is assembled correctly..."
All the hardware is heavy duty with locking nuts. (nyloc).

When I received mine it seemed like whoever assembled it had lost his set of allen wrench's or left them home that day. The Guide screws and lock nuts were loose as were the screws holding the main post to both the top and bottom casting.

Once tightened and the guide screws were adjusted properly the press has just been doing a fantastic job.

For me it was no big deal. I started my working life working on American Factory Produced Cars. Tightening and adjusting was just part of the process, even on fresh from the factory vehicles.

I will say that the manual that came with mine could use a serious re-write.