Elevating Your .17 Remington Reloading: Precision with the Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set

For discerning shooters, varmint hunters, and precision enthusiasts who rely on the diminutive yet potent .17 Remington cartridge, the quest for optimal ammunition performance is perpetual. Whether you're chasing sub-MOA groups on the range or seeking devastating accuracy in the field, handloading your own ammunition offers unparalleled control, consistency, and cost savings. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of the Lee 90770 Pacesetter 2-Die Set for .17 Remington, a cornerstone tool for anyone serious about crafting superior custom loads.

Why Handload Your .17 Remington Ammunition?

Many firearm owners ask, "Is it really worth reloading such a small, specialized cartridge like the .17 Remington?" The answer for dedicated shooters is a resounding yes. The .17 Remington, known for its blistering velocity and flat trajectory, demands exceptional consistency to achieve its full potential. Factory ammunition, while convenient, often falls short of the precision and customization achievable through handloading.

Here are compelling reasons why investing in a quality die set like the Lee Pacesetter for your .17 Remington is a smart choice:

• Unrivaled Precision and Accuracy: Handloading allows you to tailor every aspect of your cartridge – from primer choice and powder charge to bullet type and seating depth – to your specific rifle. This optimization often translates to significantly tighter groups and more reliable performance, critical for varmint hunting or competitive shooting where every millisecond and millimeter counts.
• Significant Cost Savings: While the initial investment in reloading equipment might seem substantial, the long-term savings on ammunition components, especially for less common calibers like the .17 Remington, are considerable. This enables more practice and more rounds downrange without breaking the bank.
• Consistent Performance: Variations in factory ammunition can lead to unpredictable results. Handloading gives you control over the entire process, ensuring each cartridge is manufactured to the same exacting standards, resulting in highly consistent velocities and point of impact.
• Optimized Ballistics: Experiment with different bullet weights and designs (e.g., V-MAX, Sierra BlitzKing) to find the perfect ballistic profile for your intended use, whether it's long-range prairie dog hunting or precision target work.
• Extended Brass Life: Proper sizing and care during the reloading process can significantly extend the life of your brass cases, further reducing your overall ammunition costs.
• Availability: Sometimes, finding specific factory loads for niche cartridges can be challenging. Handloading ensures you always have access to the ammunition you need, exactly when you need it.

For those wondering, "What are the best tools for reloading .17 Remington?", a high-quality die set is the foundational answer. The Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set is engineered to provide the essential functions needed for precise .17 Remington ammunition production.

Understanding Reloading Dies: The Heart of Your Ammunition Production

Reloading dies are precision tools that reshape, size, and assemble the components of a metallic cartridge. For rifle ammunition, a typical process involves several steps, each addressed by a specific die. The Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set streamlines this by providing the two most crucial dies for rifle cartridge reloading: the Full Length Sizing Die and the Bullet Seating Die.

What is a Die Set?

A die set typically includes specific dies designed to perform the necessary functions for reloading a particular cartridge caliber. These dies mount into a reloading press, which provides the leverage and mechanical advantage to perform the operations. The quality and design of your dies directly impact the precision, consistency, and safety of your reloaded ammunition. Lee Precision, a renowned name in the reloading industry, has a long-standing reputation for producing innovative, reliable, and user-friendly reloading equipment.

Diving Deep into the Lee 90770 Pacesetter 2-Die Set for .17 Remington

The Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set, part number 90770, for the .17 Remington is a meticulously engineered system designed to simplify the reloading process while ensuring exceptional quality. This set provides the fundamental tools required to transform fired brass into ready-to-shoot, custom-tailored ammunition.

1. The Full Length Sizing Die

The full length sizing die is the first and arguably most critical die in the reloading sequence for rifle cartridges. Its primary functions are:

• Resizing the Case: After a cartridge is fired, the brass case expands to fit the rifle's chamber. The full length sizing die reduces the brass case back to its original factory dimensions, ensuring it will chamber reliably in any firearm of the same caliber. This is essential for preventing feeding and extraction issues.
• Decapping (Primer Removal): Integrated into the sizing die is a decapping pin, which pushes out the spent primer from the primer pocket. This prepares the case for a new primer.
• Neck Expansion: As the case neck is sized down, it becomes narrower than the diameter of the new bullet. The sizing die includes an expander ball (or expander-decapping rod) that passes through the case neck on the upstroke, expanding it to the correct internal diameter to hold the new bullet firmly without deforming it.

Key Features of the Lee Pacesetter Full Length Sizing Die:

• Elevated Expander: A standout feature of Lee sizing dies is the elevated expander. Unlike many traditional designs, Lee’s expander is designed to be pulled through the case neck rather than pushed. This "pull-through" action causes less brass stretching and reduces friction, resulting in smoother sizing, less case neck runout, and extended brass life. This is particularly beneficial for the delicate necks of .17 caliber cases.
• Zip Spindle: The Lee Zip Spindle is an innovative design that allows for incredibly fast and easy adjustment of the decapping pin. A simple turn of a nut, without tools, lets you quickly adjust the pin's depth, preventing damage to the pin or the case if it hits off-center. This tool-free adjustment enhances user convenience and overall efficiency.
• Hardened Steel Construction: Built from robust, heat-treated steel, this die is designed for longevity and consistent performance, even under thousands of reloading cycles. Its polished interior ensures smooth case entry and exit.

2. The Bullet Seating Die

The bullet seating die is the final stage in the reloading process, responsible for correctly positioning the bullet into the sized and primed case. Its functions include:

• Bullet Seating: The die guides the bullet and presses it into the case neck to a precise depth, creating the desired Cartridge Overall Length (COL). Consistent seating depth is paramount for maintaining uniform chamber pressure, optimizing powder burn, and ultimately achieving superior accuracy.
• Light Crimping (Optional): While often a separate Factory Crimp Die is used for heavy crimps, the Lee Pacesetter bullet seating die is designed to apply a light roll or taper crimp simultaneously with bullet seating. This can provide sufficient neck tension for most .17 Remington applications, preventing bullet setback during feeding or recoil. For cartridges where a stronger crimp is beneficial, a separate Lee Factory Crimp Die (not included in this 2-die set) is available.

Key Features of the Lee Pacesetter Bullet Seating Die:

• Micrometer-Style Seating Stem (Not always present on Pacesetter, often on Deluxe or Ultimate): While the standard Pacesetter die uses a finely threaded seating stem for adjustment, Lee's commitment to precision ensures repeatable and accurate bullet seating. Achieving the precise seating depth is crucial for the .17 Remington's performance.
• Bullet Guide: The die incorporates an internal guide that aligns the bullet perfectly with the case mouth before seating begins. This minimizes the risk of bullet deformation or damage and ensures straight bullet seating, which is vital for reducing runout and maximizing accuracy.
• Durable Construction: Like the sizing die, the seating die is manufactured from high-grade steel, ensuring durability and consistent performance over years of use.

Included Accessories

The Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set 90770 for .17 Remington comes complete with essential accessories to get you started:

• Shell Holder: A crucial component that holds the brass case securely in your reloading press during the sizing and seating operations. The correct shell holder for .17 Remington is included.
• Load Data: A reliable, tested load data sheet specific to the .17 Remington cartridge is provided, offering starting points for powder charges and bullet types. This is invaluable for both novice and experienced reloaders to safely develop their custom loads.
• Storage Box: A durable, labeled plastic storage box keeps your dies organized, protected, and easily identifiable.

The Lee Precision Advantage: Why Choose Lee for Your .17 Remington Reloading?

Lee Precision has been at the forefront of reloading innovation for decades. Their philosophy revolves around producing high-quality, reliable, and affordable reloading equipment that empowers shooters to achieve their best results. When considering reloading equipment, especially for a specialized cartridge like the .17 Remington, Lee offers distinct advantages:

• Innovation: Lee is renowned for features like the Zip Spindle, the elevated expander, and their carbide sizing rings (for pistol calibers), which significantly improve the reloading process. These innovations simplify setup, reduce wear on components, and enhance the quality of the finished ammunition.
• Value: Lee dies consistently offer exceptional value, providing professional-grade performance without the premium price tag. This makes high-precision reloading accessible to a wider audience.
• User-Friendly Design: Lee products are designed with the reloader in mind, emphasizing ease of setup, adjustment, and operation. This makes them an excellent choice for both beginners entering the world of handloading and experienced reloaders seeking efficiency.
• Durability and Reliability: Constructed from robust materials and manufactured to strict tolerances, Lee dies are built to last, providing reliable service for thousands of reloading cycles.

Who Benefits from the Lee 90770 Pacesetter 2-Die Set?

This die set is ideal for a variety of users:

• The Aspiring Handloader: If you're new to reloading and own a .17 Remington, this set provides all the fundamental dies you need to begin producing high-quality ammunition. The included load data and shell holder make it a ready-to-use solution.
• The Dedicated Varmint Hunter: For hunters who demand pinpoint accuracy and consistent performance from their .17 Remington rifles on small, elusive targets, handloading with these dies allows for custom loads optimized for specific bullet types and ranges.
• The Precision Shooter: Benchrest and target shooters seeking to extract every ounce of accuracy from their .17 Remington will appreciate the consistency in sizing and seating that these dies offer, leading to tighter groups.
• The Cost-Conscious Shooter: For those who shoot frequently or simply want to maximize their budget, reloading with this die set offers significant long-term savings compared to purchasing factory ammunition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reloading the .17 Remington

How does this die set improve the accuracy of my .17 Remington ammunition?

By precisely resizing your brass to consistent dimensions and seating bullets to uniform depths, the Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set minimizes variations in internal case volume, neck tension, and bullet alignment. These factors directly contribute to more consistent chamber pressures and reduced bullet runout, leading to tighter groups and improved accuracy.

Is the Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set easy for beginners to use?

Yes, Lee Precision is known for its user-friendly designs. The Pacesetter set is straightforward to set up and operate. The included load data provides a safe starting point, and the simplicity of the two-die system makes it an excellent choice for those new to rifle reloading.

What else do I need to start reloading .17 Remington beyond this die set?

To begin handloading, in addition to the Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set, you will need a reloading press (Lee offers various options from single-stage to progressive), a method for cleaning cases (e.g., a tumbler), a primer tool, a powder measure, a powder scale, and a chamfer/deburring tool. Of course, you'll also need ammunition components: primers, powder, bullets, and brass cases.

Your Trusted Source for Lee Precision Reloading Equipment

When you're ready to take control of your .17 Remington ammunition production, finding reliable, expert support is just as important as choosing quality tools. All Lee Precision reloading products, including the versatile Lee 90770 Pacesetter 2-Die Set for .17 Remington, are readily available at DEGuns.com. DEGuns is committed to providing a comprehensive selection of reloading supplies, ensuring you have everything you need to start crafting precision ammunition with confidence. Their knowledgeable staff can assist with any questions, making DEGuns your premier destination for all your handloading needs.

By choosing the Lee Pacesetter 2-Die Set, you're not just buying tools; you're investing in precision, consistency, and the satisfying art of crafting your own perfect ammunition.

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Technical Specifications

Feature	Detail
Product Type	2-Die Rifle Reloading Set
Cartridge Caliber	.17 Remington
Manufacturer	Lee Precision
Die Construction	Heat-treated Steel
Included Dies	Full Length Sizing Die, Bullet Seating Die
Sizing Die Features	Elevated Expander, Zip Spindle
Seating Die Features	Built-in Bullet Guide, Light Crimp Capability
Included Accessories	Shell Holder, Load Data, Storage Box
Recommended Use	Precision Reloading, Varmint Hunting, Target Shooting

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Product Identification

Product Category	Part Number	UPC
Reloading Die Set	90770	734493907704