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I normally use recovered range lead for making fishing weights but I fancy trying some 303 cast bullets to use in my smle.
Do I need to use gas checks when casting? Is there any manufacturers that sell them in less than 1000 as it seems pointless buying so many if I don’t go any further with casting bullets.

Sam

Adam (Dromia) sells them google pukkabundhooks.
Or click on the link on one of his posts he is the go to person in the UK for cast bullet stuff and info.

It depends.

What velocity and powder type?

If the velocity is below say 1600 fps then no.

However all guns are different so you will need to try with and without to see what works.

Gas checks do not check gas they are used in higher velocities to stop the bullet stripping as it enters the rifling, so appropriate for high velocities and fast twist barrels.

Seating gas checks is not part of the casting process which is done after casting the bullet.

It depends on if the bullet is a gas check design, that is is the base smaller in diameter to the body? I've never had any luck shooting a gas check design bullet without a check fitted, even with low pressure loads. You can get plain base moulds for 30 cal. , Lyman do a 130 gr. design intended for. 30 carbine that shot very well in my .308 match rifle, velocity was just over 1600 fps.

That is why you need to try as I have only ever had a problem with one rifle (a No4T) not shooting non gas checked, gas check bullets well in the scores of rifles I have shot cast in over the years