Summit VS Rock Chucker

[One Eye Pete]

I have both the Rock Chucker and the Summit. I bought the Summit because I wanted a small press to take to the range. I’ve had it for years and still haven't taken it to the range because for a small press it is fairly heavy, I do take my arbor press to the range when I need to adjust bullet seating depth. The fact is I rarely use the Summit. The Rock Chucker is my go to press and it seems to do everything well. It is stiff and accurate. My only complaint with the Rock Chucker is that it doesn’t seem to catch the spent primers very well, even with a retrofit primer catcher. Just my opinion but I think you will regret not going with the Rock Chucker if you get the Summit.

 

[bozo699]

If you read I state exactly how it broke. Sloppy factory 308 chamber and standard fl dies. In the original message he says that he will be using it for 308 and 303.I also stated that match chambers with match dies it worked fine. I am somewhat new to accurate shooter but not new to reloading I tought this forum was to try and help each other not be a horses backside. I told my experience let him decide what to do with that info.

You seem to be quite sensitive, I can’t see anywhere on any post of this thread anyone being an asshole!?… your info isn’t the only info givin for the op to base his decision off of. I personally thought your post was quite informative, mostly about rcbs customer support!….from this thread I got out of it some like it some don’t, I personally wouldn’t want one. I like my rc and my reddings and for compact I like my Harrells
Wayne

 

[Reloadernoob]

Not sure if this helps but I just got a Summit and it perfectly fits my needs especially because it can be used on top of a bench like you stated and takes up almost no room. I also recognize why the Chuck is a better choice for some as well with more leverage and beefier assembly overall. FWIW you can grab a standard green Summit for about $100 less than the limited edition that's out right now.

I have the Summit press, made it more useful (to me) by getting the arbor kit ($20) for it, using it with the Wilson arbor dies. Bought the Summit when the RCBS VIP (military/LEO) discount was 35%, now just 15% (better than a poke in the eye I guess). BTW F Class John, you make great YT videos!

 

[Walt Krafft]

I would try to find a used Rock Chucker. If that didnt happen then get a new one. Skip the Summit for your first press.

 

[drop_point]

If your wanting to stay with RCBS, why not the T7. You could keep your pistol dies in them to load semi progressively and still use your rifle dies in the open slots.

The T7 is a Redding product.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The T7 is a Redding product.

Why yes, goof on my part.

 

[drop_point]

Why yes, goof on my part.

All good.

 

[Tesoro]

Just go red and get a Co-Ax to meet your needs: compact with slide in floating dies and self centering case base holder. No screwing in dies, conversion kits or other unnecessary garb.

 

[joshb]

Rockchucker. I’ve been using mine for 48 years with never a hitch. Probably loaded 100,000 rounds with it, including thousands of LC 308 machine gun brass. The press is a tank.

 

[tmwinds]

If you’re a young man, get the Rock Chucker. You can leave it to your grandchildren. If you’re old like me you can get something else that won’t last long.

 

[M-61]

I have 4 on my bench.
2 Summits, an RCBS A-4, and a prototype of a Hood. Presses have nothing to do with accuracy. The dies do for that part.
I really load only BR’s I just use the Summits

 

[209jones]

For a beginner, Rockchucker has the least amount of pcs to upgrade afterwards, and the case prep stuff it comes with is as good as any out there, it can be had with a beam scale too, which few others supply in their kits. It's the accessories that eat the money down the road, scales, trimmer, trimmer acc if req'd, some need captive parts to operate at all, some of the handprimers are quirky, some of the QC is questionable on some items, some have limitations others don't. Unfortunately, a lot of newbies can't see what the practicality of various tools and the pitfalls of others without a few people around them to show them the pitfalls and extra expenses. Plenty of reloading equipt vids out, many don't show the mistakes they made, or are makng in some of their choices, or just haven't encountered the reasons, yet.

 

[Florida Wally]

Finally graduating from the LEE hand press, looking into my first "real" press. I have a soft spot for the summit, but want to make sure it will satisfy my needs.

I reload .223, .303, .308, 6BR and 38/357. No oversize calibers. No case forming. Full length size only. I'd like to use the short level exclusively. Will I regret not going with the RC?

I would recommend you get the Summit to scratch your itch. Once you get deeper into precision shooting, whether it be benchrest, F-class, sling, or PRS, the cost of buying another press will not be material. If you get the RC now, you will always wonder about the Summit. I think either will meet your current and future needs. Also, keep your Lee and use it to deprime cases with.

 

[Tommie]

I’ll bet the vast majority of a first “real” single stage presses are Rockchuckers. Many people ultimately just stick with that one press. And with the advent of the Hornady LnL bushing kit a turret press is not quite as attractive as in decades past.

You can do a small job with a big press but not visa versa.

 

[snert]

I have broke a multitude of hammers in my career
Wayne

But did you break an anvil? True pro if ya did!

 

[snert]

A T7 is not RCBS, it is Redding. And it is not made in China.

 

[TTE]

Another option. MEC Marksman. I really like mine

 

[Mastershot]

linky for best price see.

 

[TTE]

Another option. MEC Marksman. I really like mine

And there is one in the classified for sale

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Just go red and get a Co-Ax to meet your needs: compact with slide in floating dies and self centering case base holder. No screwing in dies, conversion kits or other unnecessary garb.

Forster usually has Co Ax Cosmetic Seconds available for $285. None available right now, but they are usually in stock. Who cares if it has a cosmetic blemish? MidwayUSA has new Co Ax presses on sale for $339 right now, not bad.

That said, I've been using a Rock Chucker for 20 years and it's great. I see no need to change, but if I could start over I'd go with the Coax.