Mastering 45-70 Government Reloading: The Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set

For enthusiasts of the powerful and iconic .45-70 Government cartridge, the journey into reloading is often driven by a desire for enhanced precision, cost savings, and the ability to craft custom ammunition tailored to specific firearms and shooting disciplines. Whether you're a seasoned hunter pursuing large game, a target shooter aiming for tighter groups, or a historical firearms aficionado preserving the legacy of your lever-action rifle, understanding and utilizing the right reloading tools is paramount. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of the Lee 90561 Pacesetter 3-Die Set, a highly regarded solution engineered to meet the rigorous demands of reloading the .45-70 Government with precision and consistency.

Why Reload the .45-70 Government Cartridge?

The .45-70 Government, a cartridge with a rich history dating back to 1873, remains incredibly popular for its formidable power and versatility. However, factory ammunition, especially for specialized loads, can be expensive. Reloading offers a multitude of compelling advantages:

• Significant Cost Savings: The initial investment in reloading equipment is quickly recouped, especially with high-volume shooting. Reloading your own .45-70 rounds can drastically reduce your per-shot cost, making more practice and hunting trips economically feasible.
• Unparalleled Customization: Factory ammunition is a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Reloading empowers you to fine-tune every aspect of your cartridge: bullet weight and type, powder charge, primer choice, and overall length. This allows for loads specifically optimized for your firearm's unique characteristics, whether it's an antique Trapdoor Springfield, a modern Marlin lever-action, or a powerful single-shot rifle. You can create light target loads, heavy hunting loads, or loads optimized for cast bullets.
• Enhanced Accuracy and Consistency: Handloading allows for meticulous control over concentricity, bullet seating depth, and crimp uniformity, all of which are critical for achieving superior accuracy. Consistent ammunition translates directly into tighter groups on paper and more humane ethical hunts.
• Extended Brass Life: Proper resizing and handling during the reloading process can significantly extend the usable life of your brass cases, further contributing to cost savings and resource efficiency.
• Educational and Rewarding Experience: The reloading process itself is a deeply satisfying hobby that fosters a deeper understanding of internal and external ballistics. It's a skill that builds confidence and self-reliance for any shooter.

The Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set: Engineered for Excellence in .45-70 Reloading

The Lee Precision Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .45-70 Government (MPN: 90561) is a comprehensive package designed to simplify and optimize the reloading process for this venerable cartridge. Renowned for its innovation, reliability, and value, Lee Precision has engineered this set with specific features that cater to both novice and experienced reloaders.

This robust set includes the three essential dies for bottleneck rifle cartridges, along with crucial accessories:

• Full Length Sizing Die: Ensures spent cases are resized back to factory specifications, preparing them for consistent chambering and firing.
• Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die: Provides precise bullet seating without crimping, crucial for maintaining consistent overall length and accuracy.
• Factory Crimp Die: Applies a perfect, consistent crimp independent of bullet seating, enhancing accuracy and preventing bullet setback.
• Universal Shell Holder: A critical component for holding the case securely during the reloading process.
• Powder Dipper: A convenient tool for precise powder measurement, especially useful for getting started or for specific powder types.
• Instructions/Load Data: Comprehensive guidance and recommended powder charges to help you begin reloading safely and effectively.

Let's explore the individual components and their benefits in detail.

Understanding the Core Components

1. The Full Length Sizing Die: Foundation of Precision Reloading

The Full Length Sizing Die is the first and arguably most critical die in your reloading sequence for the .45-70 Government. After a cartridge is fired, the brass case expands to fit the chamber of the firearm. To reuse this case, it must be resized back to its original dimensions to ensure proper chambering in any .45-70 firearm.

• Functionality: This die reduces the diameter of the case body and neck while simultaneously de-priming the spent primer. The carbide expander ball ensures smooth, consistent neck sizing with minimal brass stretching, promoting longer case life.
• Why it Matters for .45-70: The .45-70 is a straight-walled, rimmed cartridge. While "full length" sizing might imply more aggressive reshaping for bottleneck cartridges, for straight-walled cases like the .45-70, it focuses on bringing the body dimensions back into spec and ensuring the mouth is properly prepared for the next bullet. This is crucial for smooth feeding and reliable chambering, particularly important in lever-action rifles where precise dimensions prevent jams.
• Benefits:
  • Reliable Chambering: Guarantees your reloaded rounds will fit snugly and reliably in your firearm's chamber, preventing feeding issues and ensuring consistent performance.
  • Consistent Neck Tension: Proper neck sizing provides optimal grip on the bullet, which is vital for consistent ignition and accurate bullet release.
  • Extended Case Life: Gentle but effective sizing minimizes brass fatigue, allowing you to reload your .45-70 cases many times over.

2. The Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die: Uncompromising Accuracy

Precision in bullet seating is paramount for accuracy, especially when pursuing the tightest groups with your .45-70 loads. The Lee Pacesetter set includes the Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die, a design that prioritizes consistent seating depth.

• Functionality: Unlike combination seating/crimping dies, this die is dedicated solely to seating the bullet to the precise desired depth within the case. The "dead length" design ensures that the seating stem contacts the bullet and pushes it into the case without any additional forces like crimping being applied simultaneously. The easy-adjust feature simplifies setting and fine-tuning your overall cartridge length (OAL).
• Why it Matters for .45-70: For a large-diameter bullet like the .45-70, consistent seating depth directly impacts chamber pressure, velocity, and ultimately, accuracy. Inconsistent seating can lead to fliers and unpredictable performance. This die is particularly beneficial for reloaders using cast bullets, as it minimizes deformation during seating.
• Benefits:
  • Superior Accuracy: By separating the seating and crimping steps, this die allows for more precise control over bullet seating depth, leading to improved shot-to-shot consistency and tighter groups.
  • Prevents Bullet Deformation: The straight-line, dead length design minimizes any potential for bullet deformation during seating, which is crucial for maintaining bullet integrity and maximizing ballistic performance, especially important for soft lead cast bullets often used in .45-70.
  • Optimized Pressure and Velocity: Consistent overall length contributes to more uniform chamber pressures and muzzle velocities, which are key indicators of a high-quality, accurate load.

3. The Factory Crimp Die: The Lee Advantage for .45-70

The Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD) is often considered a hallmark of Lee Precision's innovative approach to reloading, offering significant advantages, especially for the .45-70 Government. This die applies a uniform, collet-style crimp that is independent of the bullet seating operation.

• Functionality: Instead of rolling the case mouth into a cannelure, the Lee FCD uses a collet that squeezes the case mouth firmly onto the bullet. This unique design allows for a strong, consistent crimp regardless of whether the bullet has a cannelure or not, and without affecting overall cartridge length. It also post-sizes the finished round, ensuring it will chamber reliably.
• Why it Matters for .45-70:
  • Lever-Action Reliability: For popular .45-70 lever-action rifles, a robust and consistent crimp is absolutely essential. The repetitive jarring motion in the magazine tube can cause bullets to "set back" into the case, leading to dangerous pressure spikes. The strong crimp applied by the FCD virtually eliminates this risk.
  • Cast Bullet Optimization: Many .45-70 reloaders use cast lead bullets. The FCD's collet-style crimp works exceptionally well with cast bullets, securing them without deforming their soft lead profile, preserving accuracy.
  • Improved Ignition and Burn Consistency: A consistent crimp ensures that the bullet resists initial movement for a uniform amount of time, allowing for a more complete and consistent powder burn, which translates directly to improved velocity consistency and accuracy.
• Benefits:
  • Enhanced Safety: Prevents bullet setback in tubular magazines, a critical safety feature for lever-action users.
  • Superior Accuracy and Velocity Uniformity: The consistent resistance provided by the crimp ensures more uniform powder ignition and muzzle velocities, leading to tighter groups.
  • Versatility: Works perfectly with both jacketed and cast bullets, with or without a cannelure.
  • Guaranteed Chambering: The post-sizing feature of the FCD slightly squeezes the entire cartridge, ensuring that even if there are slight bulges from bullet seating, the finished round will chamber smoothly in any .45-70 firearm.

Essential Included Accessories

Beyond the three primary dies, the Lee Pacesetter set provides additional components that enhance the reloading experience:

• Universal Shell Holder: This sturdy component is crucial for holding your .45-70 cases securely on your reloading press's ram. The "universal" designation refers to its compatibility across various Lee presses and often with other brands as well. It's designed to securely grip the rim of the .45-70 case during the sizing, priming, powder charging, and bullet seating operations.
• Powder Dipper: For those just starting out, or for specific load development, the included powder dipper offers a simple, cost-effective way to measure powder charges. While a powder scale is recommended for ultimate precision, the dipper provides a convenient starting point and can be surprisingly consistent with certain powder types. Each dipper is calibrated to a specific volume, and the included instructions will often list dipper numbers for various powders, providing a safe and reliable way to begin.
• Instructions/Load Data: Lee Precision is known for providing comprehensive, easy-to-understand instructions. The included load data is specifically tailored for the .45-70 Government and is an invaluable resource for safe and effective reloading. Always cross-reference this data with other reputable reloading manuals to ensure maximum safety and to find the optimal load for your specific components and firearm.

Who Is This Lee Pacesetter Set For?

The Lee 90561 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .45-70 Government is an excellent choice for a wide range of reloaders:

• New Reloaders: The straightforward design, clear instructions, and included essentials make it an ideal starting point for anyone looking to get into .45-70 reloading. The value proposition is exceptional for beginners.
• Experienced Reloaders: Even seasoned reloaders appreciate the innovative features like the Dead Length Seating Die and the highly effective Factory Crimp Die, especially for consistent and reliable results with the .45-70 cartridge.
• Hunters: Those who rely on the .45-70 for hunting medium to large game will benefit immensely from the ability to create powerful, accurate, and consistently performing hunting loads. The robust crimp is vital for ammunition carried in the field.
• Target Shooters: Precision-minded shooters will find that the consistent sizing and seating achieved with this set translate directly into tighter groups on the target.
• Vintage Firearms Enthusiasts: Owners of classic .45-70 rifles can craft custom loads that are gentle on their treasured firearms while still delivering excellent performance.
• Cost-Conscious Shooters: The affordability and long-term savings offered by reloading with this reliable die set make it an economically smart choice.

The Reloading Process at a Glance (Using Your Lee Dies)

While a detailed tutorial is best found in a comprehensive reloading manual, here’s a simplified overview of how you’d typically use the Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set:

1. Case Preparation: Begin by cleaning your fired .45-70 brass. This usually involves tumbling to remove carbon and grime.
2. Sizing and De-priming: Using the Full Length Sizing Die, run your cases through the press. This reshapes the case to its original dimensions and punches out the spent primer. Apply a light amount of case lube for smooth operation.
3. Priming: Insert a new primer into the case pocket. Many reloading presses have an integrated priming feature.
4. Powder Charging: Using your Powder Dipper (or a scale and powder measure for more precision), add the appropriate powder charge to the case, following the provided load data carefully.
5. Bullet Seating: Place a bullet on the mouth of the charged case. Using the Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating Die, lower the press handle to seat the bullet to the desired overall length (OAL). Adjust the die as needed to achieve consistency.
6. Crimping: Finally, use the Factory Crimp Die to apply a uniform and secure crimp to the completed cartridge. This step is critical for consistent performance and safety, especially with the .45-70.
7. Inspection: Visually inspect each reloaded round for any defects, proper OAL, and a secure crimp.

The Lee Precision Difference: Innovation and Value

Lee Precision has built a reputation over decades as a leader in reloading equipment, consistently delivering innovative, user-friendly, and cost-effective solutions. The Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .45-70 Government embodies this philosophy. Lee's commitment to quality manufacturing, combined with their focus on features that genuinely benefit the reloader, makes their products a highly recommended choice. Their designs often incorporate unique elements, like the Factory Crimp Die, that solve common reloading challenges and enhance the final product.

The Lee 90561 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .45-70 Government is more than just a collection of tools; it's an investment in precision, economy, and the rewarding pursuit of crafting your own high-performance ammunition. It provides the essential components needed to produce reliable, accurate, and safe .45-70 loads, empowering you to optimize your shooting experience whether on the range or in the field. This set represents a foundational element for any serious .45-70 reloader, offering a pathway to superior performance and significant cost savings over time. It's readily available for passionate reloaders seeking to elevate their .45-70 experience.

Product Specifications Summary

Feature	Detail
Brand	Lee Precision
Series	Pacesetter 3-Die Set
Caliber	.45-70 Government
Gun Type	Rifle
Dies Included	3 (Full Length Sizing, Easy Adjust Dead Length Bullet Seating, Factory Crimp)
Accessories	Universal Shell Holder, Powder Dipper, Instructions/Load Data
Material	Steel
Weight	1.27 lbs
MPN	90561
UPC	734307905613