I too have saeco 225 bullets and a 225 sizer,I am planning to hone it out a bit to lube without sizing the bullet ,but to crimp the gas checks.
Incidentally,I like to anneal the gas checks,to reduce the effort of crimping them.
This is the method I use for my rifle bullet,in .30,.375,6.6 and 7mm.
Ed Harris says small caliber cartridges work at higher pressures than bigger bores,needing harder bullets than a .30, at comparable speed,(1400-1600 fps)what are your experience with a 223?
I do not size Lee pistol bullets of the tumble lube design,just give them a coat of liquid alox,
I used to size 230 tumble lube round noses for a couple of too tightly chambered 45HP italian 911 pistols. that would not feed 452 bullets and used with satisfaction a lee sizer dies system.of 451 diameter.
Now,following my Guru's teaching,I load lubed bullets as cast and,if necessary size the loaded cartridges in the Lee factory crimp pistol dies.
A kimber in 45acp and a chinese 45acp barrelI have feed absolutely everything I can concoct.
I have a Star ,two rcbs and an orange Lyman sizer,and for rifle gas check bullets I strongly advice the RCBS,using Lyman dies,they have the number on the top,it stays clean and you do not have to scrape the lube off to read it.
I use for all bullets,some universal top punches,Those having a negative cone shape,they center the bullets better,like the lathe's centering morse cone.
I fear that sizing gas check .22 cal bullets nose first in a die might lead to a failure,so please let us know if you have success ,I like to learn by my mistakes.