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Summit VS Rock Chucker

slowbalt

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?
 
About a year ago I was in the same boat as you. Wanted a new single stage and thought that the summit was the way to go. Moved my old reliable rock chucker to the new bench and replaced it with the summit. The toggle broke the first time I used it. RCBS was great called them and texted pictures of the broken part and they sent me new (updated parts). Sized About 60 more with new parts and the handle broke. New handle and the toggle broke again. Called RCBS and asked if they would trade me for a new rock chucker they agreed and I could not be happier. To be fair each time the summit broke I was sizing 308 brass from hunting guns with sloppy chambers, worked fine with br brass with match chambers. The toggle on the summit is very dainty in my opinion and because it is small the threaded part of the handle is about 2/3rds the diameter of the rock chucker.
 
Whiler the Summit may not be the "strongest" press RCBS makes, it is certainly adequate for 95% of most reloaders, if that's what turns your crank, go for it. Apparently RCBS claims the upper casting issue is due to the bolts, not sure if they upgraded something or what.
 
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.
 
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.)
 
slowbalt said:
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.)
Click to expand...
Honestly no. I also have the LEE conversion coming and I really like those and never had issue using them in the past. But everyone's tolerance acceptable is difference. I happen to be confident in mine and trust me, it's not as tight as you would think.
 
I have never used a Summit, although I will say it looks cute. Over many decades I have hand a Jr. (that's what I started with), several RC's and 2 Master's and they all performed well. I would think the Summit would also perform well. However, if I only had one press, between the two I would choose the Rock Chucker. I don't think it takes up that much more room above the bench, but you know what your needs are 100% better than I do. I know what you state you are doing does not need the RC, but when I have made decisions like that in the past, 3 months, 6 months, a year later I was into something else that needed more gusto. As a second press and maybe portable to haul to the range the Summit may make an ideal addition. just my two cents and I'm discounting it 2 cents!
 
I have two Summits. One with the short handle for seating bullets, Great feel.
The other for resizing. Since there is no mechanical advantage I FL size only to 308.
I have no idea what an above poster was doing to break so many things on a Summit.
But then again there was a guy who broke his A-4 Big Max.
There are people who can break a hammer.
 
I couldn't get consistent shoulder bump with the Summit. Bullet seating was good, but sizing was so bad I returned it and got the Forster Coax as my secondary press.

My primary press is the RCBS Rebel, which I believe is what replaced the RC. The Rebel is beefier and they added a zerk fitting to grease the ram. The Rebel is awesome and I have no doubt it will last a lifetime.
 
M-61 said:
WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?
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It's what I was told by the RCBS rep and he probably saw it in my video where I talked about it. Here's his explanation verbatim.

"The main toggle block bolt we changed. The old bolt had threads the full length of the bolt and the new bolt only has threads enough to ensure alignment and full function of the press. We have found the main cause of the toggle block breakage was the main toggle block bolt was being overtightened."
 
M-61 said:
I have two Summits. One with the short handle for seating bullets, Great feel.
The other for resizing. Since there is no mechanical advantage I FL size only to 308.
I have no idea what an above poster was doing to break so many things on a Summit.
But then again there was a guy who broke his A-4 Big Max.
There are people who can break a hammer.
Click to expand...
I have broke a multitude of hammers in my career
Wayne
 
Kracken McGraw said:
I understand but here’s another option that is a great turret press also.https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101962214?pid=757540
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I shouldn’t have gone off the subject of a single stage press. When I saw the OP mentioned 38/357 also to be loaded, I personally now can go out and load a box of pistol rounds in a short session with the dies ready to go in the turret press. With the single stage this never happened.
 
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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.
 
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