Enfield, when you say "kit" is there a kit or just the powder? My Lyman case prep center came with a little jar of it I haven't used it.
There is a kit, it has the powder and some brushes which you use to distribute the powder evenly in the neck by pushing the case on the brush and then removing it. The instructions say to use a brush the same size as the neck and if not available use the next largest. Without using the brush the powder doesn't get distributed evenly and doesn't work as well.
The brush screws into the base of the kit which you can secure to a board to make it more stable. The kit I use is a Frankford Arsenal case neck lubricator and really works well.
I've never had a split that I could say was caused by the sizing ball. I don't worry about it anyway. Cases damaged beyond serviceability simply go into the brass recycle. I have more. The migration of lube is cased by over application, probably from pressing too hard when they're on the case lube pad.
I use a carbide expander ball to make life easier both for the brass and for the operator of the press. It generally eliminates the need for lube inside the neck. And can reduce case stretching by a considerable margin.
I have to agree on the .223 and the .30/06. just ripped the rims off 2 HXP yesterday and I lubed every 3 cases. Pain in the but. I take the sizing/decapper out of the die and use a dremal and cut the base off the case and remove the rod. The case is already shot. I have tried the sure shot spray on lube and went back to the snake snot and pad.
I like Lee case lube i put it on with my fingers. I put it on a very small amount. I just drag the case mouth across my finger to lube the case neck. When i am done loading i remove the case lube with a damp rag with a little dish soap on it.
I dip my 06 case necks in a small jar of powdered graphite, tap once or twice to get the excess off before neck expanding. This helps the sizing go a bit smoother and eliminates the awful screeching that usually results without it. Also reduces the wear and tear on the expanding ball. A small jar or vial of powdered graphite lasts a very long time. It is a bit messy, but worth the effort to lengthen the life of the expander ball and keep things quieter. J. Cooper