I was a Jacketed shooter until I started MLing in '82, using a old Potter bottom pour (a good friends). So, that's how I started and never considered using a ladle.
I've been shooting in competition, ASSRA, ISSA and CBA since 1985 and have pressure poured, using a bottom pour pot since then (my own). I started with a Lee 10#. I got a Lee 20#, three years ago, it makes it possible to ladle out of the 20# as is.
I have a old, well used Lyman/Ideal ladle and a RCBS. I get a better pressure fill with the RCBS but, I also like the Ideal and don't have a favorite yet. Most of the guy's that I shoot with, ladle pour and with the 20# pot, I thought that I would try it and maybe pick up a point or two
So, I go to my big once a year shoot in May (30+ of the best shooters in the US and Canada), it's a 250 shot BR match (4 matches over 8 days). The Spokane range has very tricky winds and can frustrate very experianced shooters. Wind flags are a MUST and it's also 6 deg up hill so, 200 yards takes very tall flags to get anywhere near the bullets path.
I took 300 bullets with me and last year, I took 200 PP and 100 LP. Over the course of the shoot, I shot two 249's (back to back) with the PP bullets and other than that, I couldn't tell any real difference in scores between BP and LP.
This year, I took 200 LP and 100 BP bullets, I got 3rd place in one of the matches and 5th in another using PP but, I was about 9th in all the others. Last year, I wasn't worse that 4th.
Another example occured this last May, 25th. With the leftover bullets from my Spokane math. The 10 shot group is PP (1.95, 9 in 1.12) and the score target is LP, first two shots wer at 2 & 3 o'clock, I held for that and got two shots on the left, I then held center for the rest. The only thing that I could find positive, is that it's the only perfect 240- 0 center target, that I've ever seen. They were shot, group first, then the score target after a sighting shot to center.
So, I'm very frusterated regarding LPing. I heat the ladle by submerging it until it's as hot as the lead. I tip the mold into the ladle, raise them together, wait about 2 sec, then let the lead pour onto the spure plate as I move away and wait for the puddle to freeze before opening.
I have to admit that the bullets look a little better, regarding the shiny finish, the bases are slightly rounded, where bottom, pressure pouring gives me totally (sharpe edge) filled out bases with a duller finish.
With brass, 4 cav molds, on 6 cav handles, LP is the only way I can cast, resting the mold on top of the pot. My match molds are 1 & 2 cav.
I just don't understand???????????
Frank