I opened a discussion a couple years back on the Lee collet neck-only size die and how well we get along.
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=607555
My short recap here can be summarized with:
I only dabble in rifles and 95% or more of my handloading and shooting is handguns. However I do a prairie dog hunt for 3 fantastic days each year and I have more success each and every year.
I only F/L size when I’m adding brass to the rotation. 600-700 rounds through the rifle each year and I’m only neck sizing for this.
My reasoning is multi-faceted.
My first goal was ease of volume loading and I can assure you that neck-only sizing with the Lee collet die is much easier than lubing and F/L sizing for me.
My second goal or hope was longevity, case life. Now I don’t track my brass like hardcore rifle handloaders do but I can say that my rifle has about 3,700 rounds through it and my neck-only sized brass makes up more than 3,200 of that number and so far I have lost zero pieces.
I truly do NOT know if I’ll find an increase in accuracy if I tweak my methods and this is simply because if the wind is calm AND if I’m able to successfully learn with my range finder how far out the dog is, he literally stands no chance out to 275 or so and I’m making ghastly kills out to 400 yards.
That’s my endorsement of neck-only sizing with the Lee collet die. .223 Rem with a 50gr Hornady V-Max fueled by H-335 and launched around 3,400fps from a Howa 1500 with 24” heavy barrel.
My only proof of success is a body count that increases each year and still zero failed pieces of brass. Oh, to add, 551 shots on the trip this year and only 52 pieces got trimmed even though zero of those were longer than 1.760”
I love all the rifle discussion you guys have here and especially the deep discussions on handloading for rifle, I truly enjoy these. At the same time, I don’t see myself ever becoming a hardcore rifle guy. And when it comes to neck size versus F/L size, at least for my hunting ammo, my vote is staunchly for neck sizing and I have no plans to change.