RCBS Summit as the only press?

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amarillo

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I am contemplating on getting RCBS Summit as my first (and only) press. I don't have a dedicated working area so I am looking for something that can be stored easily. I have read a couple of threads on the topic and it seems that most people choose to use other presses as well. Apparently collet pullers don't work well with the press for example. What is your take? Would RCBS Summit work well as the only press and/or are there better options available?
 
Welcome to THR. I would stay away from the Summit as a first or only press. It's a short stroke and as such is really designed for straight wall pistol or small rifle cases.

The press is only one of many items that you will need to get started reloading and you might be better off with a "kit" if you don't already own the other things.

There are many kits on the market and here is a link to a fairly complete set. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000157810311/ultimate-reloading-system

Do some research and watch some YT videos. I'm sure there will be lots of suggestions coming along.

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The Summit is kind of a specialty press. You can do much better for a first press... a press that is a bit more general purpose.

If I were starting out again I would probably opt to start with a quality turret press.

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLocation=/_/N-680+4294929934?Np=2&Nr=AND%28p_visible%3A1%2Ccustomertypeid%3A1%29&Nrpp=24&Ns=p_metric_sales_velocity%7C1&Ntpc=1&Ntpr=1&userItemsPerPage=48&persistedItemsPerPage=0

The Redding Turret press at $300 would be a real nice starting press. The advantage of the turret press is that you do not have to dismount and remount your dies between operations, you just index the turret over one die.

Single Stage
The Lee "Classic Cast" is considered a very good O design press, as good as any available and by far the best press for the money. I have an RCBS RockChucker... a great press but I would choose the Lee Classic cast press over the RockChucker. The Lee Classic cast accepts both the standard 7/8"-14 dies or the rare 1-1/4"-12 dies... usually only used for really big shells like the 50 bmg. The 1-1/4"-12 hole allows you to use any of the quick change die systems if you decide you want to give those a try at some point in time.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013008991/lee-classic-cast-single-stage-press

That is a lot of press for $117. It will do anything you need it to do and is pleanty big enough for the belted magnums if you ever go there. STAY AWAY from the Lee Breach Lock press. It looks very similar but does not handle spent primers as nicely as the Classic Cast.
 
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Thank you for the suggestions. I already reload for shotgun and have a Mec single stage mounted on a piece of board that I can easily move and store. I am looking for something similar for metallic cartridge reloading but most presses seem to require (or greatly benefit from) a permanent mount on a workbench. I plan to load rifle cartridges up to and including 30-06 but nothing larger.
 
There are many people that do not use a permanently mounted metallic cartridge press and there are a lot of great ideas for quickly dismounting a press and making it stowable. The leverage on most presses is going to make clamping the press to a firm surface a good idea. Mounting a press on a board then clamping the board to a table when you need it might be something you could look at doing.

Do you usually clamp your MEC press to a table or similar when using it? Or are you able to get away with leaving the board floating?
 
I've had, or had access to several presses over the years including a Rock Chucker, Lyman T Mag as well a couple of different Lee presses. The one I use most is my Lee Classic single stage press. I really like the feel of the press, especially when sizing cases and seating bullets. I load for 10 different cartridges from 223 to 9.3x62 Mauser including a couple of mag calibers and the Lee Classic has worked well or me. My Lee Classic Turret press (which is a good press) sits on the side line most of the time.
 
Mike: I use clamps. The press works fine either way but the board tends to "travel" if not clamped down. The thing I like about the Mec is that I can remove it and store it upright easily. I suppose I could get something like this: https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/ultramount but they cost almost as much as a Lee press.

What I am still trying to figure out is what does say, Lee Classic Cast do that RCBS Summit won't? I know I would have to use a hand primer and inertia puller but is there anything else?
 
I have the Rock Chucker 2 and an early Summit. It'll do anything the Rock Chucker can do, just differently. There are pro and cons to both.

Pros to the Summit:
  • The open face is nice. Visibility is tops. Glass smooth strokes....does not add to concentricity issues if you tighten your dies while shell plate is tightly engaged.
  • Foot print is pretty small, and you can set the press back on your top so that nothing hangs over in front of the bench when the arm is up.
  • You can buy the optional short stroking arm which is easier on the body & quicker, for light work such as depriming before wet tumbling, and seating/crimping bullets.
  • The design lends itself to portability.....it's not a light weight....on the other hand it's heavier than most presses, yet the foot print makes it easy to mount on a portable base.....in fact I plan to take it with me to the mountains this summer where my family's cabin is......seems like a great way to spend an otherwise boring evening where there is no TV or places to go at night.
Cons:
  • Some find it ergonomicaly inferior due to the high stoke motion. IOW's if you are short, the long arm starts high, and the downward motion is above the waist where you can't as easily use your weight to power the stroke.....that makes it feel harder to stroke .308's and bigger compared to the Rock Chucker (at least for me). On my 36" bench that's true for me, but could be rectified if I lowered it to kitchen table height or stood on a platform. I doubt that would be so noticeable to tall reloaders......and it certainly is no problem in smaller calibers or pistol calibers. Don't get me wrong, it's not the press, it's the height in relation to your waist....where you bear down.
  • Mine kept loosening and that caused some side flexing......bad. Fixed that by using blue thread lock. I understand that later models didn't have that problem....lucky me. It's fine now.
On my bench (shared by the Rock Chucker, Pro 2000, and Pro Chucker 7), I use the Summit for loading things I don't load on the progressives.....its a matter of volume.....and also for case prep.....depriming for tumbling and/or swaging of military brass. For rifle, I like it in conjunction with the R.C. sorta like a two station turret.

If I had to use it as an only press, I would lower the press.....since I quit growing many years ago.;)

The following video is one example where I use the presses together. Don't watch then end......I let the handle unscrew....really dumb. :oops:


.40 S&W prep....
You might notice that the primers don't fill the tiny primer reservoir.....there's a hole through the bench and a flexible plastic tube to a jar on the floor.:)
 
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I am contemplating on getting RCBS Summit as my first (and only) press. I don't have a dedicated working area so I am looking for something that can be stored easily. I have read a couple of threads on the topic and it seems that most people choose to use other presses as well. Apparently collet pullers don't work well with the press for example. What is your take? Would RCBS Summit work well as the only press and/or are there better options available?

My first and still only press is a Lee Classic Turret. When I started I loaded single stage style batch loading pistol and then rifle. I use the turret now and am able to load around 150 pistol rounds an hour. I load rifle single stage style by removing the index rod. To me this is a perfect first press which allows you to load a little faster as you get more confident. You can also buy extra turrets for $10 for all your dies sets which allow for quick caliber changes without resetting all your dies.

-Jeff
 
My only press is a Lee Classic Turret. My first setup with it was very portable and used a Lee bench plate.
 
My first press was a RCBS Reloader Special 3 (RS3), which I still use today. I've loaded everything up to .30-06 and .348WCF with it, but that is really pushing it. I've since bought another, bigger, single-stage press... first a Hornady, and now an RCBS Rock Chucker. The smaller presses like the RS3 are great for pistol cartridges, but if you are loading any quantity of rifle (you mentioned .30-06...) I would get a bigger press. The Rock Chucker would be the standard for that kind of press, but everyone makes one similar to it. I wouldn't fool with turret presses and the like, particularly if space is an issue... once your dies are set, it's nothing to spin them in and out of the press.
 
I've an early Lee Cast Iron Classic single stage press that's a great machine. Apparently all the new Lee presses are breach locks so if you don't want that feature I'd look at a RCBS Rock Chucker or the equivalent from Redding or Lyman. MEC also has a single stage metallic press out.
 
Starting out and I would suggest something more "classic". An "O" style single stage press will do you quite well and allow you to learn the basics. Just about any modern single stage press will work fine and you will get many years of use out of them. Lee, Lyman, Hornady, RCBS all make "entry level" single stage presses (I used a Lee Challenger for several years before I thought I needed a more "sophisticated" press). When you ask "what's the best?" you will get 99% personal opinions and very little actual comparisons/tests. Not all bad just be aware. As for storage, it depends on how much storage space you have for a press. I once had no room for reloading so all my stuff went under my bed (my single stage mounted on a board sat on it's side, my dies and tools went into plastic shoe boxes, and powder and primers were stored in a closet). You'll just have to get creative for your room and situation. I have a few presses I use only occasionally and I keep them in a large plastic tub, wrapped in towels and they stay clean and are easily retrieved.

I had catalogs from the reloading equipment vendors that helped me determine what would work for me. the only ones I found available today are MidWayUSA, Midsouth, Redding and Precision Reloading. There's probably others but not as many as once was because many now use online catalogs...
 
I will chime in on the Lee Classic Turret. You can use it as a single stage to start and move up to a fairly good production rate with the auto-index installed. I think it is a really good starting place and for some it may be all the press they will ever need. The suggestion of the Lee bench plate is a good one and you could also look into the Inline Fabrication mounting system as well. I have the Inline flush mount on my bench and I love it.
 
I have a RCBS Summit press.I use it for small batches of pistol ammo.I definitely would not recommend it as an only press.The Summit is a handy little press but not really suited for reloading larger cartridges.
 
Thanks all, GW Staar in particular. That kind of a detailed input was exactly what I was looking for.

At this point it is fairly obvious that RCBS Summit is not a fan favorite. Roughly a dozen comments and only two actual owners. I find it interesting that several reviews and Youtube videos imply that the design would provide good concentricity and low runout but the general opinion is that this press is not suitable for rifle cartridges where such things matter.
 
Mounting the press on a plate and clamping the plate to your work bench or stand is simple and effective. A couple of good clamps are costly, but you are more likely to already own them.

Lee makes a reasonably good quick-change system for their presses. Lee part # 90251 MSRP is $30 but it sells on big online retailers like Amazon and Midway for less than $19. This system is best for quickly changing from one press to another and can be used to quickly install or remove the press from the bench or stand, but the mount plate would remain fixed to the bench. I mentioned it because it performs a function similar to the Inline Fabrication thing which is similar in that it makes press setup and take-down fast but still requires a base plate permanently attached.

The only thing that's going to transform your girlfriend's mom's kitchen table into a reloading bench and back again is a steel plate or sheet of plywood you can clamp to it.

I imagine you want to reload to shoot more. There are a few people who reload primarily to handcraft high precision custom cartridges, but they don't do it with a tight space and equipment budget. If you're reloading to increase volume, even a modest volume, it's going to take significant space and some equipment. Some codgers will tell you how they load scrounged brass with tire weights with nothing but a couple of spoons they found at a garage sale and their teeth, but you should understand from shotshell reloading that reloading for volume is not a good use of your time unless you're loading at least a few hundred to a thousand cases. If you're doing that for several cartridge types, it adds up to a significant volume of brass to process. Processing brass takes up a lot more space than any press. Fortunately, it doesn't take a permanent work space. A lot of people even do it outside. So while you don't need a permanent work space for your press or any other equipment, you will need substantial storage space. If you have any significant amount of powder, lead, and shells already, figure the space needed will double or triple to get into rifle and handgun cartridges. With all that space consumed for storage, adding a reloading stand like the Lee # 90688 won't be significantly more.
 
Mike: I use clamps. The press works fine either way but the board tends to "travel" if not clamped down. The thing I like about the Mec is that I can remove it and store it upright easily. I suppose I could get something like this: https://inlinefabrication.com/collections/ultramount but they cost almost as much as a Lee press.

What I am still trying to figure out is what does say, Lee Classic Cast do that RCBS Summit won't? I know I would have to use a hand primer and inertia puller but is there anything else?

You nailed one of the weaknesses of the summit... the collet bullet puller dies.

75% of what I do on my RCBS RockChucker is Dillon case trimmer:
img5a5783b2c7eb9.jpg

The case trimmer is the main reason I have a single stage press. The trimmer will not work with the Summit or the Forster Co-Ax press. I would probably have the Forester Co-Ax press on my bench instead of the RockChucker if it weren't for case trimming.

These are the two use cases I can think of where the Summit would come up short. If you can't see ever having to pull bullets or trim brass on your press (There are other ways to accomplish both of these) the Summit might be a good match for you. I do understand your point about how the summit would be less cumbersome to store without half the press extending under the table. The open front access to the work area on the press does look awfully convenient! There are obviously some very happy Summit owners on this board.

That ultra mount looks very cool. $99 seems like a good price to me. Do you have some where you could bolt down the Ultra Mount base?

Do you stand or sit while you reload shot shells? Ergonomics might be something to consider for your setup. Having your press at an inconvenient height for how you work can be a pain in the back and take a lot of fun out of the hobby. (My presses are table mounted and I sit while reloading... many others prefer standing while reloading).

IMG_5988_large.jpg
 
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Whatever press you go with, the Inline Fabrication stand should be a must. It allows you to mount it on a table top as opposed to needing a strong edge and sold benchtop
 
I have a Summit, and I hardly use it anymore. I bought the arbor press conversion and just use it as an arbor press with my Wilson chamber-style seating dies.

For small batches, it is not too bad, but for larger batches the high pivot point of the lever will work on your shoulder, as you have to lift your arm up over your head to use it. I bought the short arm which helps, but significantly reduces your leverage.

I have four presses on my bench, a Lee Classic Turret, a Lee C press, the Summit press, and a Dillon 550. I use the LCT more than the other presses combined. Every piece of brass that I reload goes through the LCT since I use that for decapping before I wet tumble. I do 95% of my rifle loads on the LCT, and all my revolver loads. I do all my semi-auto pistol loads on the 550. The Lee C press is dedicated for use with a collet bullet puller. I highly recommend the LCT as a first press.

I've an early Lee Cast Iron Classic single stage press that's a great machine. Apparently all the new Lee presses are breach locks so if you don't want that feature I'd look at a RCBS Rock Chucker or the equivalent from Redding or Lyman. MEC also has a single stage metallic press out.

As far as I know, they still make the Classic Cast single-stage presses in both breech-lock and non-breechlock, and I recommend getting the non-breechlock press. It comes with a bushing for normal 7/8" dies, but when removed it will fit the larger diameter dies, or you can install the Hornady bushing insert for quick changing dies. If you have your heart set on a single-stage press, that is the one I would recommend.
 
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The arm leverage is a good point. I really appreciate the adjustable length roller arm that came with my Lee press. The fixed length arm on most presses gives plenty of leverage, but requires a long throw. I tend to configure my setup for minimal force -- for example, I neck-only resize rifle brass with a maximum size bushing, or for handgun brass I flare the mouth the absolute minimum. Most of my cases are wimpy stuff too, no big African organ pipes. So I get plenty of leverage with about 6" of the arm on my side of the pivot point. It seems Lee is the only one who gets the advantage of adjustable arm length.

I like the Lee Breech Lock system. I've used it on a Classic Casts and the Auto BL Pro with Lee and Redding dies. I can see how it might preclude the really big dies on the single stage, but I'm probably not going there. To me, the Breech Lock system is especially worthwhile if you'll use the ABLP, which is probably a good idea for a lot more people than being 50 caliber ready. What are the 1.25" dies for? 50 BMG, .577, 416 Barret? I see they make a large .338 Lapua die, but you can get 7/8" dies for that too. The Hornady system is a good alternative if you'll use some Hornady presses, but not if you'll use the ABLP. The BL system is good even if you'll only use it on the Classic Cast single-stage. But I can see a good reason to deselect it if you know you'll be using the same dies in a Classic Turret, a Hornady LnL or a Dillon.
 
I wasn't surprised with all the negative posts on the Summit.....it seems fashionable these days to trash anything new....especially RCBS new.

The Summit is not the insinuated lightweight, supposedly making it not suitable for larger rifle cartridges, that would be the aluminum Partner Press and other similar light weights in other colors.

On the contrary, the Summit weighs in a 21.1 lbs, compared to the Co Ax's 16.65 lbs, the Rock Chucker's 20.1 lbs, the Frankford Arsenal's 20 lbs. and the MEC's 17.945 lbs. The real heavy weight is the Redding Ultramag weighing in at 26.6 lbs., but the Summit is no slouch.

The giant 2" ram doesn't make it lightweight either.

The Frame Opening Size/Ram Stroke isn't the biggest, but not lightweight either. F.A.'s new Co Ax copy has an opening/stroke of 5.5"/4.75", Rock Chucker's is only 3.35"/4", Co Ax is 4.9"/? and the Summit's opening/stroke is 4.5"/4.25". The Rock Chucker loses that contest, but I've never loaded anything too big for it.....others may load monsters too big for it I suppose....wouldn't know which ones are in that class.

So considering that, you shouldn't be surprised that I had no problem sizing 1000 rounds of tough machine gun 7.62 LC brass, once I found appropriate lube. (wasn't the Imperial I started with). In my first post I said I preferred the old Rock Chucker for bigger cases, but one more time, that was due to the height of my bench compared to my height. I would have had the same trouble with the vaunted Co Ax, since It strokes down from above the same way. Next time I do that, I'll mount it low enough for me to bear down on. That would make it more equal to the R.C.

Obviously, not all of us like Ultra Mounts either......just what I need, raise my presses even higher. :confused: For me the 36" high bench works great for my bench-mounted Pro 2000, Rock Chucker, and Pro Chucker 7......and I can reload sitting or standing, whatever I'm in the mood for. Sitting...I use a swivel draftsman's stool. Couldn't do any of it with an Ultramount. I ought to lower the Summit to kitchen table height though....I'd like that press best at that height.
 
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I agree, the Summit is no lightweight.

For me and my needs, the LCT, mounted directly to the bench, does everything I need for it to do. I can sit down and operate the press for an hour at a time and not feel like I just got back from a visit to the gym.
 
I don't dislike the Lee Turret, it was just not the progressive I was looking for at the time I looked into it. A turret is a special niche. Some what faster than a single, but not the stroke saver of a progressive......and I was getting old.....was? That was back when Obama got mis-elected 11 years ago. (a new word for American politics it seems, nobody is ever happy);)

Gavin Toobe recently did a video comparing 7 single station presses.......it was pretty good. If I was starting out today looking for "the" press for me, we're all different you know, just like the presses......I'd have a look see at his video as a part of that search. He did a pretty good job. He addressed round concentricity, which was interesting. The Summit did very well.

 
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