Difference between gas check and plain base

[Selmer]

Ok, I'm new to shooting cast bullets and I have a wide selection of bullets coming from Lloyd Smale in trade for some linotype.  I'll be shooting these bullets out of a .454 Casull 12" barrel on my Encore.  What difference will the gas checks make in these bullets, weights are from 250gr. to 360gr.  I intend to work up a couple good plinking loads with some Universal and have some medium loads with 4227 and full-power loads with H110.  Should I avoid the use of plain-base bullets in any of these loads or just shoot and see what happens?  Please let me know the pros and cons of gas checked and plain base bullets.
Selmer

[Billy Marr]

there should be no problem useing plain base bullets with that setup. You will fine some very accurate plinking loads when using the plain base.

[TexasMac]

Selmer, for "plinking loads" I agree with Billy Marr, but for full-power loads you may find that gas checks provides an edge in accuracy.  I found in my rifles that cast fired at velocities over the 1600 fps range required gas checks to maintain accuracy.  I have also convinced myself that max-power loads in my Colt Anaconda 44-mag requires gas checks for best accuracy.  The latter may be all perception on my part but in some cases perception is half the battle.  So, when I load for max velocities in my rifles or revolvers I always use gas-checked bullets.  But I enjoy the process of casting and loading almost as much if not more than the actual shooting so I don't mind the extra step to add gas checks.
Wayne

[RBak]

" I found in my rifles that cast fired at velocities over the 1600 fps range required gas checks to maintain accuracy. "

Texas Mac, That seems to be about the "upper limit" for not using gas checks due to leading. Gas checks are indeed a wonderful thing when used correctly. I personally don't use them on my .44, but then again when shooting cast I'm usually well under 1,000fps, sometimes only 900 or so. I do use them on my hunting rifles (the three that I cast for, and hunt with) I have recovered 3 bullets from game with the gas check intact and the lead nose dubbled in caliber.
I have pushed cast bullets w/gas checks to almost 2,100fps. with no signs of leading. I have also pushed loads to 1700 w/o gas checks that took months to get the lead out of the barrel.
Gas checks are a necessary evil in my mind, but after a while you get to like them, and start respecting them for what they do.
Russ