Summit VS Rock Chucker

[fn1889m]

Just another opinion, but…

I went through a couple, but currently use a RC Supreme and Harrell’s 4 hole turret press - which cover different ends of the hobby. The Harrell turret press is straight, tight, compact, and great for pistol too. But I resize everything on the RC. Although the Harrell is a standalone press, I end up using both of them in combination 95% of the time. Harrell makes awesome powder meters as well.

This stuff is not cheap, but I have found it more costly to go through several unsatisfactory options before finding the tools that best fit my style and needs. That may just be the learning curve of life, in every aspect.

If I shot mostly rifle, and wanted to move on from a Lee handpress, I would get the RCBS Rockchucker knowing that it would be a lifetime press, but also knowing that I’m going to get a second press on the bench when I get my goals and reloading values figured out. When that time comes, look at Harrell’s, Wilson, Forster, etc.

 

[CJ6]

If you want to stay with RCBS....The RC, or Partner presses will make straight ammo. Redding the Boss press or T-7 turret. The Forster Co-Ax. All of these presses will do what needs to be done and do it well. How you set them up and with what dies is what matters. I don't have a Summit (I have no room for one either.)

 

[bozo699]

And there is one in the classified for sale

Not any more I snatched it right up!…
Wayne

 

[cuznguido]

I understand but here’s another option that is a great turret press also.https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101962214?pid=757540

I currently have Rock Chucker and the bigger RCBS press for the big stuff, but I really like the looks of that Lyman. Thanks for posting that.

 

[alintx]

I'll keep my sixties A2 and seventies rockchucker, but they don't get used as much as my Forester coax. Buy once, cry once

 

[cmysix]

EBAY, some think they have gold, some want to make a sale, I have my fathers Rock Chucker, have not used it yet. Bought a Redding boss JR, and then a RCBS Jr II, think I paid $40? for each .30-06 .308 .45 and .38 no problems

 

[M-61]

Buy once, cry once

Why would you cry if you bought what you wanted?

 

[bozo699]

Why would you cry if you bought what you wanted?

Well said
Wayne

 

[Big Mc]

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?

Ford V Chevy. They both will make you happy.. Tommy Mc

 

[cmysix]

My old AG teacher in HS would always talk about this one rough kid, so and so could break a crow bar.

That was me

 

[BoydAllen]

WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?

On the original version, the bolts were threaded so that they had the potential to be over tightened which put bending forces where the toggle casting that it could not handle. The one that I have has spring washers to keep things from shifting around and the lenght of the threads is such that they prevent users over tighten the linkage fasteners. While the press has a small footprint and does not put much stress on the bench, the 2" column is solid steel, so I would pick a lighter press to take to the range. I have a couple of different Harrell presses that work well for this, and RCBS makes a couple of presses with aluminum presses. I have several presses including an older Rock Chucker, which is an excellent press.

 

[bozo699]

On the original version, the bolts were threaded so that they had the potential to be over tightened which put bending forces where the toggle casting that it could not handle. The one that I have has spring washers to keep things from shifting around and the lenght of the threads is such that they prevent users over tighten the linkage fasteners. While the press has a small footprint and does not put much stress on the bench, the 2" column is solid steel, so I would pick a lighter press to take to the range. I have a couple of different Harrell presses that work well for this, and RCBS makes a couple of presses with aluminum presses. I have several presses including an older Rock Chucker, which is an excellent press.

Boyd,
I always value your thoughts,…. I have thought about trying a summit a couple times but I have multiple quality presses I just never bought one and probably won’t as I have 5 mounted already and two Harrels for range work but what’s your honest opinion of the summit?…. Likes,… dislikes,… things you would change if you could?…
Wayne

 

[old codger]

I think you should look at a name brand turret press. I happen to have the Lee and it is outstanding.

 

[BoydAllen]

Boyd,
I always value your thoughts,…. I have thought about trying a summit a couple times but I have multiple quality presses I just never bought one and probably won’t as I have 5 mounted already and two Harrels for range work but what’s your honest opinion of the summit?…. Likes,… dislikes,… things you would change if you could?…
Wayne

I got mine primarily because of the small foot print. If you do not have that issue.... I have never indulged myself with a dedicated reloading room or even a bench. Most of my loading has been at the range, which I prefer. At home, I set up and then put things away, because I have not loaded there that often. I will say that when I do, I am very comfortable, and things are arranged well for loading sessions. It is just that I see little reason to tie up space for something that I do so seldom (at home). I really like being able to tune up to the range conditions that day, and stay with the changes. Although I do not shoot competition any more, I try to use what works there as a standard. I have and use the full kit.

 

[M-61]

On the original version, the bolts were threaded so that they had the potential to be over tightened which put bending forces where the toggle casting that it could not handle. The one that I have has spring washers to keep things from shifting around and the lenght of the threads is such that they prevent users over tighten the linkage fasteners. While the press has a small footprint and does not put much stress on the bench, the 2" column is solid steel, so I would pick a lighter press to take to the range. I have a couple of different Harrell presses that work well for this, and RCBS makes a couple of presses with aluminum presses. I have several presses including an older Rock Chucker, which is an excellent press.

Bolts don’t have a ‘potential’ to be over tightened. People have the potential to over tighten bolts.They either believe they have been gifted with built in torque wrenches in their wrists (a rare gift indeed) or they are incapable of looking up the correct torque for material,size,thread type,pitch,etc. I’ve never seen a bolt (correctly called a fastener) tighten on its own. The SummitS I have, have spring washers TO allow ‘things to shift around.’ ( a desirable feature allowing easier and truer alignment of the case entering the ALL important die)
Additionally it’s not the ‘length’ of the threads that prevents user ‘over-tightening. It’s impossible to prevent stupidity. You may be referring to a shouldered bolt, I don’t know. Actually I’d really like to know of a fastener design that PREVENTS over-tightening.
I don’t reload at the range. The ‘footprint’ of the Summit while smaller than many other presses I don’t think is even noteworthy. What IS noteworthy is its design does NOT require it to be mounted on the edge of a bench. Should you desire to reload in the middle of your dining room table, well you can do it with a Summit as the handle does not have or need a handle extending below ‘its small footprint’.
If weight is a concern (it is not with me) why not throw a pair of Wilson dies in your pocket? After all it’s the die that produces the concentric cartridge, not the press at all.
I also have ‘several’ (definition=3-7) presses. The only reason is because I happen to like various tool designs. Not a single one will load ‘straighter’ cartridges than the other. I just like the way some look.

 

[bozo699]

Bolts don’t have a ‘potential’ to be over tightened. People have the potential to over tighten bolts.They either believe they have been gifted with built in torque wrenches in their wrists (a rare gift indeed) or they are incapable of looking up the correct torque for material,size,thread type,pitch,etc. I’ve never seen a bolt (correctly called a fastener) tighten on its own. The SummitS I have, have spring washers TO allow ‘things to shift around.’ ( a desirable feature allowing easier and truer alignment of the case entering the ALL important die)
Additionally it’s not the ‘length’ of the threads that prevents user ‘over-tightening. It’s impossible to prevent stupidity. You may be referring to a shouldered bolt, I don’t know. Actually I’d really like to know of a fastener design that PREVENTS over-tightening.
I don’t reload at the range. The ‘footprint’ of the Summit while smaller than many other presses I don’t think is even noteworthy. What IS noteworthy is its design does NOT require it to be mounted on the edge of a bench. Should you desire to reload in the middle of your dining room table, well you can do it with a Summit as the handle does not have or need a handle extending below ‘its small footprint’.
If weight is a concern (it is not with me) why not throw a pair of Wilson dies in your pocket? After all it’s the die that produces the concentric cartridge, not the press at all.
I also have ‘several’ (definition=3-7) presses. The only reason is because I happen to like various tool designs. Not a single one will load ‘straighter’ cartridges than the other. I just like the way some look.

Wow!…..
Wayne

 

[Dave M.]

Watching your LNL Conversion video now. Any concerns with potential innacuracies with the bushings versus a threaded die? (Never seen or handled a LNL before, so no idea.)

None here. I load all my precision ammo on a Hornady LNL classic with the bushings and it is very capable of making winning ammo.
Dave

 

[BoydAllen]

Bolts don’t have a ‘potential’ to be over tightened. People have the potential to over tighten bolts.They either believe they have been gifted with built in torque wrenches in their wrists (a rare gift indeed) or they are incapable of looking up the correct torque for material,size,thread type,pitch,etc. I’ve never seen a bolt (correctly called a fastener) tighten on its own. The SummitS I have, have spring washers TO allow ‘things to shift around.’ ( a desirable feature allowing easier and truer alignment of the case entering the ALL important die)
Additionally it’s not the ‘length’ of the threads that prevents user ‘over-tightening. It’s impossible to prevent stupidity. You may be referring to a shouldered bolt, I don’t know. Actually I’d really like to know of a fastener design that PREVENTS over-tightening.
I don’t reload at the range. The ‘footprint’ of the Summit while smaller than many other presses I don’t think is even noteworthy. What IS noteworthy is its design does NOT require it to be mounted on the edge of a bench. Should you desire to reload in the middle of your dining room table, well you can do it with a Summit as the handle does not have or need a handle extending below ‘its small footprint’.
If weight is a concern (it is not with me) why not throw a pair of Wilson dies in your pocket? After all it’s the die that produces the concentric cartridge, not the press at all.
I also have ‘several’ (definition=3-7) presses. The only reason is because I happen to like various tool designs. Not a single one will load ‘straighter’ cartridges than the other. I just like the way some look.

As it happens the bolts in the newer version have shorter threads than the original, limiting how close the undersides of their heads can be from the insides of their nuts. Evidently people did not recognize that running the nuts further onto the bolts would put a strain on the parts that pivoted on the bolts and in their zeal to make things snug, over did it. I have rebuilt close to 30 engines, all of which ran as they should have. I know about bolts, and torque specifications.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

Not any more I snatched it right up!…
Wayne

Nice score! I have a Summit and replaced it with the Inline Fabrications roller lever. I broke the long handle, but RCBS replaced it when I contacted them recently...heck I bought the press used. I have another good experience with them replacing a die for me. I bought the Summit after reading Mark LeFever's review here on Accurate Shooter about 10 years ago...hard to believe that 10 years has gone by.

I also have a very early Rock Chucker, like really early. I disabled the primer concoction to add a primer catcher, I most often use the Rock Chucker for depriming and the Summit for seating. I use a PMA primer seater. I also upgraded my Summit with this part. I figured for $20 it was worth a gamble. This makes it slightly tight getting the Hornady Lock-N-Load bushings into the Summit, but I have that worked out now. You could make a pin but for $20 I bought it from James. The ram is a monster on this press, it's over 2" in diameter.

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

Congrats on the Summit Wayne, they're really a nice press but not very popular. A number of people bought them new and very pleased with them, but they seem like a red headed step child. Not sure why RCBS didn't promote it more...