Warning – RCBS Summit Reloading Press User Manual
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WARNING!
Before using this product, read and follow these instructions carefully. Failure to
do so could result in serious injury or death, or property damage.
If you have any questions while assembling or operating this product,
call us at 1-800-533-5000 or 1-530-533-5191
Monday – Thursday 6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Or email us at
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This manual contains important safety and operating information. Keep this as a
permanent part of your reloading equipment. If lost, contact us for a replacement.
RELOADING SAFETY
NOTICE - This manual is not intended to provide comprehensive instructions or
safety information on how to reload, or handle or use reloading components.
Always read and thoroughly understand a reloading manual before attempting
to reload ammunition.
Reloading is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby when conducted safely. But, as with
many hobbies, carelessness or negligence can make reloading hazardous. When
reloading, always follow these safety guidelines to minimize the risk of personal injury
or death.
• Always wear safety glasses.
• Understand what you are doing and why. Read handbooks and manuals on reload-
ing. Talk to experienced reloaders. Write or call suppliers of equipment or compo-
nents if you have questions or are in doubt.
• Read and understand all warnings and instructions accompanying your equipment
and components. If you do not have written instructions, request a copy from the
manufacturer. Keep instructions for future reference.
• Don’t rush or take short cuts. Establish a routine and follow it at a leisurely pace.
• Keep complete records of reloads. Label each box showing the date produced,
and the type of primer, powder and bullet used.
• Do not smoke while reloading, or reload near sources of heat, sparks or flame.
• Observe good housekeeping in the reloading area. Keep tools and components
neat, clean and orderly. Promptly and completely clean up any spills.
• Keep all reloading equipment and components out of reach of children.
• Stay alert. Reload only when you can give your undivided attention. Do not reload
when tired, ill, rushed or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Because RCBS has no control over the choice, assembly or use of components or
other reloading equipment, RCBS assumes no liability, express or implied, for the use
of ammunition reloaded with this product.
LOADING DATA
Use only laboratory tested reloading data. We highly recommend the current SPEER
Reloading Manual.
OBSERVE ALL WARNINGS ABOUT THE USE OF MAXIMUM LISTED LOADS.
WORKING WITH CARTRIDGE CASES
WARNING! Do not attempt to resize a primed case with decapping pin installed.
• Examine empty cases to be sure they are in good condition before reloading. Thin,
split, deformed, or badly corroded or pitted cases may be structurally weak, and
result in a dangerous condition. Pay particular attention to splits in the mouth,
separation between the case and the head, and dents in the shoulder.
• Do not store cartridge cases or ammunition near harsh chemicals such as gasoline,
household cleaners, or cat urine. The fumes can weaken the metal and present a
dangerous condition.
• Do not clean cases with chemicals other than those specifically designed for the
purpose.
• Do not attempt to clean loaded ammunition or primed cases. Doing so can cause
corrosion, and weaken the case, or cause a misfire/ hangfire condition.
• Ensure cases have proper primer pocket sizes; remove primer staking/crimp if
necessary. Attempting to seat a primer into an undersized pocket or pocket with
staking/crimping can result in detonation.
• Do not ream out or enlarge flash holes of cartridge cases. This may change the
ignition rate and result in dangerous pressures.
• Resize and trim fired cases to ensure reliable chambering and obtain proper bullet
tension and crimp.
• Never attempt to guess at the identity of your ammunition.
CASE TRIMMING/ PREP
WARNING! It is critical for safety that cases not exceed the maximum specified
case length. A case that is too long can enter the throat of the firearm when cham-
bered. If this happens, the case cannot release the bullet properly upon firing, result-
ing in excessive pressure increase and create a dangerous condition.
MACHINERY
WARNING! Avoid wearing loose clothing and jewelry which can be drawn into
moving/rotating components.
• Keep your hands and fingers away from “danger” spots and pinch-points where
they might be injured.
• Keep children and others away from machinery.
• Be sure that all moving parts are shielded and all guards are in place before
operating any equipment.
GUNPOWDER WARNINGS
WARNING! Keep out of reach of children.
• Store powders in their original package in a cool, dry environment free from wide
temperature variations.
• Keep cans tightly sealed and labels intact.
• Mark date of purchase on can, for future reference. Use older stock first.
• Never use glass as a storage container. This may cause a “greenhouse effect”
raising temperature in container and degrade the powder.
• Check cans and powder for signs of degradation. Many powders will exhibit a fine
red-brown dust on the granules and/ or inside the container when this happens.
If it does, do not use propellant; dispose of it properly in compliance with local
regulations.
• DO NOT have more than one can of powder on the bench at one time. Powder
cans should be stored away from the bench to avoid picking up the wrong one.
• DO NOT use any powder unless its identity is positively known. The only positive
identification is the manufacturer’s label on the original canister. Discard all mixed
powders and those of uncertain identity.
• If you use a powder measure, replace the lids on both the powder hopper and
powder can after the powder hopper has been filled.
• When using a powder measure, settle the powder in the powder hopper before
charging any cases. Throw and check the weight of at least ten (10) charges. This
will assure you that the correct powder charge is being thrown.
• When you finish a reloading session, pour any remaining powder back into its
original factory container. This will preserve the identity and shelf life of the powder.
• DO NOT smoke while reloading.
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