Reloading Press Comparison: Rock Chucker vs. Co-Ax vs. Summit
“The press is the heart of the handloading operation, also traditionally the most expensive single tool employed…” — Laurie Holland
British competitive shooter Laurie Holland has reviewed three popular, single-stage reloading presses for Target Shooter Magazine (targetshooter.co.uk). Laurie bolted up a Forster Co-Ax, RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, and RCBS Summit to his reloading bench and put the three presses through their paces. These three machines are very different in design and operation. The venerable Rock Chucker is a classic heavy, cast-iron “O”- type press that offers lots of leverage for tough jobs. The smaller RCBS Summit press is an innovative “upside-down” design with a large center column and open front. It offers a small footprint and easy case access from the front. The Co-Ax is unique in many respects — dies slide in and out of the upper section which allows them to “float”. The cartridge case is held in the lower section by spring-loaded jaws rather than a conventional shell-holder.
READ Laurie Holland Reloading Press 3-Way Comparison Review
If you are considering purchasing any one of these three presses, you should read Laurie’s article start to finish. He reviews the pros and cons of each press, after processing three different brands of brass on each machine. He discusses ergonomics, easy of use, press leverage, smoothness, priming function, and (most importantly), the ability to produce straight ammo with low run-out. The review includes interesting data on case-neck run-out (TIR) for RWS, Federal, and Norma 7x57mm brass.
Review Quick Highlights:
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme
“My expectations of the antediluvian RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme’s performance weren’t over high to be honest as I mounted it in the place of the Summit. As soon as I sized the first of the stretched RWS cases though, I saw why this press has been such a long-running favorite. The workload was considerably reduced compared to the other two presses and doing 40-odd cases took no time at all with little sweat — it just eats hard-to-size brass.”
RCBS Summit Press
“Despite its massive build and long-stroke operating handle, [the Summit] took more sweat than I’d expected, even if it was somewhat less work than with the Co-Ax. Although the Summit is apparently massive, I noticed that the die platform would tilt fractionally under the heaviest strains[.] It is nevertheless a very pleasant press in use and bullet seating was a doddle — the few examples tried proving very concentric on checking them afterwards. The optional short handle would be valuable for this task.”
Forster Co-Ax
“[On the Forster Co-Ax], the operating handle is above the machine, located centrally here [with] twin steel links at the top end of the press dropping down to the moving parts. The Co-Ax incorporates a number of novel features, principally its automatic and multi-case compatible shell-holder assembly with spring-loaded sliding jaws, very neat spent primer arrangements that allow hardly any gritty residues to escape and foul the moving parts and, the snap-in/out die fitment that allows rapid changes and also sees the die ‘float’ in relation to the case giving very concentric results. I own this press and it meets my handloading needs very well.”
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Tags: Co-Ax, Coax, Forster, Laurie Holland, RCBS, Reloading Press, Rock Chucker, Single Stage, Summit
I’ve a RCBS A4 ‘BIG MAX'; with optional solid ram pin, and a ‘ROCKCHUCKER’, in storage. Single stage, ‘GORILLA PROOF’.
What are they worth, in this 21st Century, modern day and age.
Regards. AK
ps. I’ve rationalised all of my target shooting to ISSF 10m Air Pistol, and on the odd occasion, the same at 25m.
‘FLOATS MY BOAT !’
The subtitle “Read Laurie Holland Reloading Press 3-Way Review” is a link to the original article, which is well worth reading.
In my own testing, my Harrell’s Combo press does slightly better for concentricity, than my Rockchucker, but the difference is not enough that I am much concerned about the difference at the target. Also, there are some tricks that have been proven to improve the concentricity of brass and ammo loaded on conventional presses such as the RC. All in all, it is one of the best choices for a first press.
The RCBS Rockchucker press is a great press. The Lee Classic Cast press is a greater press.
I’ve been using the Co-Ax for over 40 years and the quick die change out makes all the difference. The compound lever setup makes sizing smooth and easy, but do not forget to lubricate the case first or you will pay the price with a stuck case in your die, making for a bad day. The press also has a built in priming tool to get you by if you need it.