To Gas Check or Not To Gas Check, that is the question...

[Sergeant Earthworm]

When loading cast 158 grain semi-wadcutters in .38 Special at about 800 fps, is a gas check necessary? Given the low velocity, it seems like leading shouldn't be much of a problem.

[thegreatdane]

Nope! Size is king

[mt bwana]

i shoot over 900 fps without gc 358156 doesnt lead

[John Allen]

I only use gas checks on my hotter loads. I shoot 38 and 357 all the time with a moderate charge and do not have any leading issues.

[ctious]

I shoot my 10mm with a 200 gr cast at 1450 with no check. No leading. Also shoot that same bullet out of a carbine. At 1700 also no check with no leading. Just make sure u match the throat and it should shoot clean.

[Jeff82]

You shouldn't need them for anything shot out of a 38-special. I almost always avoid gas checks if at all possible. At least for cartridges that I plans to shoot in large volumes and rely on for continuous trips to the range. They add about 3-cents a shot to my shooting costs. And, since there is only one manufacturer and two distributors of gas checks, there are potential supply issues with them.