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Trevtassie
I am going to assume you are aware that many engineering studies have been performed concerning this very topic. Yes there is definitely manufacturing efficiency and cost savings in using caged balls , however they are also better at what they do.
There is a lot of information available out there concerning this very topic. As I said earlier if you want to use them because it makes you feel better being a traditionalist fine, there is no performance benefit to be realized however .