l just ran a little test on some cast bullets l had poured awhile back last nite at the indoor range. My 44 practice load is 8gr Unique behind 230 gr Hensley & Gibbs swc/gc ....l loaded up 2 batches. 0ne with gas checks installed. The second without..l took 2 Smith Wesson 629 44mag to the range to find out..l also took some Speer 44 240gr swc swaged lead one to shoot also...To my surprise the best load for BOTH guns was the H&G swc bullet WITHOUT the gas checks....This is a midrange practice load @ 900fps MV...My MAGNUM load is 20gr 2400...l may try the H&G cast bullets without the gas checks just for curiosity... 0n the midrange practice load l will be kicking the gas check habit.......