It seems that I might be. ID case neck diameters are as follows:
Fired cases: 0.364"
After outside sizing with conventional Lee die (decapper removed): 0.345"
After inside expanding in Lyman M-die: 0.357" (case mouth belled to 0.360")
Loading soft-cast 160-200 grain bullets whose diameters range from 0.358-0.359."
I anneal case necks and haven't had a splitting problem, but can't see the need for all that working of the necks.
Is the Lee Collet Die a better way to arrive at the desired final inside neck diameter of 0.357? I could still use the M-die to get a belled case mouth.
What other options should I consider?
Thanks
PBSmith
edit: possibly a different brand of conventional dies would not take the necks down so drastically. However, without the option to try other brands of dies before purchasing, that would be a carp shoot.