I've always used Lee molds in the past. But with a new .44 and Lee not offering a mold for a Keith-type .430 bullet, I shelled out for a four-cavity Lyman mold for the 429421 bullet.
I sat down to use it for the first time today, and could not be more disappointed. I knew they'd take extra warm-up (beyond sitting on the edge of the pot), but after at least a dozen pours a substantial portion of the melt was used up and I still hadn't turned out one properly-formed bullet. Everything I cast had to go right back in the pot. Not a very efficient use of time.
Worse, the sprue sticks like glue to the sprue plate, and the bullets hang up in the mold even though I smoked the chambers before I started. And I have to whack that sprue cutter so hard I may start using a sledge for it.
I've never had a cheap Lee mold perform so badly.
What am I missing?