For serious shooters, dedicated hunters, and precision enthusiasts, the quest for optimal ammunition performance often leads beyond factory-loaded cartridges.

The journey toward achieving unparalleled accuracy, consistent velocities, and significant cost savings begins with handloading – the meticulous craft of assembling your own ammunition. At the core of this rewarding endeavor lies a crucial set of tools: reloading dies. Among the most trusted and widely utilized options, the Lee 90698 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .300 RUM stands out as an essential component for anyone looking to master the potent .300 Remington Ultra Magnum cartridge.

This comprehensive die set is specifically engineered to provide reloaders with everything needed to produce high-quality, reliable ammunition for their .300 RUM rifles. Whether you're aiming for tight groups on the target range, preparing for a challenging long-range hunt, or simply seeking to maximize the value of your shooting investment, understanding the capabilities of this Lee Pacesetter set is the first step towards achieving your reloading goals.

Why Handload Your Own Ammunition? Unlocking Performance and Savings

Why do experienced shooters and hunters choose to invest their time in reloading? The motivations are compelling and address several common challenges faced by firearms owners:

• Significant Cost Savings: Factory ammunition, especially for high-performance cartridges like the .300 RUM, can be incredibly expensive. Handloading dramatically reduces the per-round cost, allowing for more practice, more hunting opportunities, and more enjoyment from your firearm without breaking the bank. Reloading can often cut ammunition costs by 50% or more, making shooting sports more accessible and sustainable.
• Unrivaled Accuracy and Precision: Factory ammunition is produced to meet general specifications, which may not always align perfectly with the unique characteristics of your rifle's chamber, bore, and twist rate. Handloading allows for precise control over every variable: bullet type, powder charge, seating depth, and crimp. This customization ensures that each round is tailored to your specific firearm, leading to tighter groups, improved ballistic consistency, and superior terminal performance.
• Optimized Performance for Specific Applications: Whether you're hunting elk at extreme distances, engaging steel targets hundreds of yards away, or participating in competitive shooting, handloading allows you to develop loads optimized for your exact purpose. You can experiment with different bullet weights and designs, various powders, and primer types to achieve the ideal velocity, energy, and trajectory for any given scenario.
• Enhanced Understanding of Ballistics: The reloading process provides an invaluable education in internal, external, and terminal ballistics. By assembling rounds from individual components, you gain a deeper appreciation for how each element contributes to the bullet's flight path and its impact. This knowledge translates directly into becoming a more informed and skilled shooter.
• Extended Brass Life and Resource Sustainability: By carefully sizing and preparing spent cartridge cases, you can typically reload a single piece of brass multiple times. This not only contributes to cost savings but also promotes a more sustainable approach to shooting, reducing waste and making the most of valuable resources.

For the owner of a .300 RUM rifle, these benefits are amplified. The .300 RUM is a powerful, flat-shooting cartridge renowned for its high velocity and impressive energy, making it a favorite for long-range hunting of large game. However, its specialized nature often translates to higher factory ammunition costs. Reloading this magnum cartridge becomes not just a hobby, but a strategic decision to fully leverage its capabilities.

The Foundation of Reloading: Understanding Dies

Reloading dies are the heart of any reloading press. These precision-machined tools shape, size, and prepare cartridge cases, and then seat and crimp new bullets. A high-quality die set is paramount for producing consistent, safe, and accurate ammunition.

Lee Precision, a name synonymous with innovation, quality, and value in the reloading community, has been serving handloaders for decades. Their commitment to producing robust, user-friendly, and highly effective tools has made them a go-to choice for both beginners and seasoned reloaders. The Pacesetter series, in particular, embodies this philosophy, offering a comprehensive solution that includes all the necessary dies along with valuable accessories.

A Deep Dive into the Lee 90698 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .300 RUM

The Lee 90698 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .300 RUM is meticulously designed to handle every critical step in the reloading process for this specific cartridge. It typically includes three primary dies, each serving a unique and essential function, along with supplemental tools to get you started:

1. Full-Length Sizing Die: This is the first die used in the reloading sequence. Its primary purpose is to resize the fired cartridge case back to its original factory dimensions. When a round is fired, the brass expands to fit the rifle's chamber. The full-length sizing die restores the case body, shoulder, and neck to proper specifications, ensuring that the reloaded cartridge will chamber reliably in any .300 RUM rifle.
   • Decapping Pin: Integrated into the sizing die is a decapping pin that pushes out the spent primer from the primer pocket. This prepares the case for a new, fresh primer.
   • Expander Ball: As the case is drawn out of the sizing die, an expander ball typically passes through the neck, ensuring the neck has the correct internal diameter to securely hold a new bullet. For bottleneck rifle cartridges like the .300 RUM, this step is crucial for consistent neck tension.
   • Spindle Design: Lee's full-length sizing dies often feature a robust, easily adjustable spindle for the decapping pin and expander ball, allowing for precise control over the neck sizing and decapping depth.
2. Bullet Seating Die: Once the case is sized, primed, and charged with powder, the bullet seating die is used to precisely insert the bullet into the case neck. This die ensures that the bullet is seated to the correct overall length (OAL) and that it remains straight and concentric with the case.
   • Micrometer-style Adjustments (though typically not on Pacesetter): While Pacesetter dies offer precise adjustments, some advanced seating dies provide micrometer-style adjustments for ultra-fine-tuning of bullet seating depth. The Pacesetter, however, is designed for straightforward, reliable adjustment, perfectly suitable for achieving excellent precision.
   • Concentricity: A well-designed seating die is critical for bullet concentricity, meaning the bullet is perfectly aligned with the case. Poor concentricity can lead to accuracy issues. Lee dies are engineered to promote excellent concentricity.
3. Lee Factory Crimp Die (FCD): This is often considered a hallmark feature of Lee rifle die sets, and its inclusion significantly enhances the consistency and performance of reloaded ammunition, particularly for powerful cartridges like the .300 RUM. Unlike roll crimps that can deform the bullet or case, the Lee FCD applies a collet-style crimp that uniformly squeezes the case mouth around the bullet.
   • Benefits of the FCD:
     • Uniform Bullet Pull: Provides a consistent amount of resistance when the bullet starts to move upon firing, leading to more uniform chamber pressures and velocities.
     • Secure Bullet Retention: Prevents the bullet from moving forward or backward in the case due to recoil (a common issue in tubular magazines, though less so with the .300 RUM in bolt actions, but still beneficial for handling and feeding).
     • Improved Accuracy: By ensuring consistent bullet retention and release, the FCD can contribute to better shot-to-shot consistency and improved accuracy.
     • No Bullet Deformity: Unlike other crimping methods, the FCD does not deform the bullet, maintaining its ballistic integrity.
     • Rescues Problematic Brass: Can often salvage brass with slightly varying neck tension, making the reloading process more forgiving.

In addition to these three core dies, the Lee 90698 Pacesetter set typically includes:

• Universal Shell Holder: A critical component that grips the case and allows it to be pushed into and pulled out of the dies.
• Powder Dipper: A convenient tool for accurately measuring specific powder charges. While a precise powder scale and dispenser are recommended for critical loads, the dipper provides a quick and safe method for initial charge development.
• Load Data: A basic set of load data for the .300 RUM is often included, providing starting points and maximum charges for various bullet weights and powders. Always cross-reference with multiple reputable, up-to-date reloading manuals.

Mastering the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum (RUM)

The .300 RUM is a non-belted, rebated rim, magnum cartridge based on the .404 Jeffery case. It's known for its immense case capacity, allowing for large powder charges and incredibly high velocities with .30 caliber bullets.

• Key Characteristics:
  • High Velocity: Achieves velocities significantly higher than traditional .300 Winchester Magnum, often exceeding 3,300 fps with popular bullet weights.
  • Flat Trajectory: The high velocity translates into a very flat trajectory, simplifying long-range shot placement.
  • Powerful Energy: Delivers tremendous kinetic energy, making it highly effective for large, thick-skinned game like elk, moose, and bear, even at extended ranges.
  • Recoil: Due to its power, the .300 RUM generates substantial recoil, which experienced shooters manage effectively, but it's a factor to consider.

Reloading the .300 RUM requires precision and attention to detail, given the high pressures involved. The Lee Pacesetter dies are built to meet these demands, ensuring consistent sizing and bullet seating essential for safe and accurate magnum loads. The FCD is particularly beneficial for this cartridge, helping to mitigate the effects of heavy recoil on bullet seating, maintaining load consistency.

Who Will Benefit Most from This Die Set?

The Lee 90698 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .300 RUM is an ideal investment for:

• Dedicated .300 RUM Owners: Those who frequently shoot their .300 RUM rifles and want to reduce ammunition costs while simultaneously improving performance.
• Long-Range Shooters: Individuals focused on achieving extreme accuracy at extended distances, where custom-tuned loads provide a distinct advantage.
• Serious Hunters: Big game hunters targeting elk, moose, bear, or other large animals, especially when shots might be at longer ranges where optimal bullet performance is critical.
• Cost-Conscious Enthusiasts: Anyone looking to enjoy the powerful .300 RUM without the prohibitive cost of factory match-grade ammunition.
• Beginner and Intermediate Reloaders: The Pacesetter set's straightforward design, robust construction, and inclusion of key accessories make it an excellent starting point for those new to rifle reloading, while still offering the precision demanded by more experienced users.

Setting Up and Using Your Lee Pacesetter Dies

While a detailed reloading guide is beyond the scope here, the general process for using this die set involves:

1. Case Cleaning: Thoroughly clean spent .300 RUM brass.
2. Lubrication: Apply a thin layer of case lubricant to the brass for the sizing operation (Lee Case Lube is an excellent choice). This is critical to prevent stuck cases in the sizing die.
3. Sizing and Decapping: Use the Full-Length Sizing Die to resize the case and remove the spent primer.
4. Priming: Insert a new, appropriate large rifle magnum primer.
5. Powder Charging: Measure and dispense the precise powder charge into the case using a reliable powder measure or scale.
6. Bullet Seating: Use the Bullet Seating Die to seat the selected .30 caliber bullet to the desired overall length.
7. Crimping (Optional but Recommended): Utilize the Lee Factory Crimp Die to apply a uniform crimp, enhancing consistency and bullet retention.
8. Final Inspection: Inspect each reloaded round for proper OAL, primer seating, and overall quality.

Ensuring Longevity and Performance: Care and Maintenance

To ensure your Lee Pacesetter dies provide decades of reliable service, proper care is essential:

• Cleanliness: Keep dies clean and free of powder residue, case lube, and carbon buildup. Use a soft brush and a dedicated die cleaning solution.
• Lubrication: Periodically apply a light coat of rust preventative oil to the steel dies, especially if storing them for extended periods or in humid environments.
• Storage: Store dies in their original protective case or a dedicated die box to prevent damage and corrosion.
• Inspect Components: Regularly check the decapping pin for straightness and sharpness. Replace it if bent or broken.

Why Choose Lee Precision for Your Reloading Needs?

Choosing Lee Precision means investing in a brand with a strong reputation for:

• Innovation: Lee has introduced many innovative and cost-effective reloading solutions over the years.
• Quality Materials: Their dies are crafted from high-quality steel, designed for durability and precision.
• User-Friendly Design: Lee products are known for their ease of setup and use, making them accessible to reloaders of all experience levels.
• Exceptional Value: Lee consistently offers high-performance reloading equipment at competitive prices, providing excellent value for money.

The Lee 90698 Pacesetter 3-Die Set for .300 RUM is more than just a set of tools; it's an investment in the capability of your firearm and the quality of your shooting experience. By empowering you to craft custom ammunition, this set helps unlock the full potential of your .300 RUM rifle, delivering superior accuracy, significant savings, and the profound satisfaction that comes from mastering the art of handloading.

Feature	Description	UPC
Product Type	Pacesetter 3-Die Set	736676906987
Cartridge	.300 Remington Ultra Magnum (.300 RUM)
Included Dies	Full-Length Sizing Die, Bullet Seating Die, Lee Factory Crimp Die
Accessories	Universal Shell Holder, Powder Dipper, Load Data
Construction	High-Quality Steel
Benefits	Improved Accuracy, Cost Savings, Enhanced Performance, Extended Brass Life
Application	Rifle Reloading, Hunting, Long-Range Shooting