Some if not all of the previous commenters have likely forgotten more than I know on this subject but I agree with what has been stated based on my personal experiences. I hunt primarily with 357 and 44.

I like the cast bullets with gas checks for a couple of reasons:

The increased velocity and energy gives me much more confidence at the outer limits of my effective range (100 yards).

Also, as previously stated I don?t have any qualms if I don?t have a perfect broad side shot angle.

I have never recovered a cast bullet from a deer, hog, or the one elk my son shot.

I have also observed that a blood trail may be slower in coming with cast bullets. That said, I have never had a tracking job over 75 yards. I simply prefer the flatter trajectory with the heavy for caliber cast bullets and the through and through penetration.

I reload but I don?t cast my own bullets. There are some high quality store bought cast bullets available that answer the how hard is too hard question for you.

My 0.02.