What kind of casting pot should I buy?

[country gent]

A lot depends on what you are casting for bullets. Normal pistol bullets in the 32-45 cal range and 100-250 grn range I you can do good with the bottom pours. For the longer bigger rifle bullets ( bullets in the 1.2"-1.5" length ranges) running from 360 - 550 grn I prefer the ladle. Perferably a rowel #1 with its larger spout or a RCBS, or Lyman with the spout opened up to .210" size. These put the lead in fast and a strong flow. I also think the stream is hotter from the ladle if its kept in the pot while not used.

[country gent]

Another thing to consider is if on a budget a pretty nice ladle set up can be put together for little money and the left over spent on more or better moulds.

[RGR175]

I see some others have already recommended it but the Lee 20lbs bottom pour seems like a good fit. I'm new as well and my research lead me to believe that is a good place to start.

[marlin39a]

I grew up on a Lyman drip O matic. I then found a Lyman 61, 10 lb pot. I love it. I just rebuilt it, and hope it last forever. If I had to do it over, I would get the RCBS Promelt.

[Javater]

My setup is called Bottom Pour ladle.

Stainless Steel 1.5qt Pot $6 at Goodwill (they go on sale as low as $3) depending on the week and sticker color
Stainless Steel Ladle $1 at Goodwill
Walmart Electric Coil single cooktop $10

Drill middle of the cup on the ladle with 3/32 drillbit

for 17 dollars i got my setup that does same as 20LB lee Bottom Pour.

[RogerDat]

My setup is called Bottom Pour ladle.

Stainless Steel 1.5qt Pot $6 at Goodwill (they go on sale as low as $3) depending on the week and sticker color
Stainless Steel Ladle $1 at Goodwill
Walmart Electric Coil single cooktop $10

Drill middle of the cup on the ladle with 3/32 drillbit

for 17 dollars i got my setup that does same as 20LB lee Bottom Pour.

Someplace there is a YouTube video of a guy using that set up and it looked like it worked pretty well. He just put the mold over the larger pot of lead on his heat (propane as I recall), pulled some up in the ladle and let the stream from the hole in the ladle bottom flow into the mold. Was doing a 6 cavity pretty much boom and done.

Myself I can only really see myself buying a 6 cavity either used (good deal) or maybe for 7.62x39 but my preference has become 4 cavity, productive but not too heavy when filled, less tiring. None that I have, including 200 rifle or 250 grain pistol give me any problem with a ladle pour. Me doing it wrong sometimes has issues but nothing to do with how the lead is being dispensed.