Bottom pour ladles

[wch]

I have cast using a standard Lyman ladle and decided that there's enough advantage in a bottom pour ladle to get one.
Looking at Rotometals offerings, I am uncertain as to whether to buy a #2 or a #3 ladle; I cast from a standard Lee 20 lb. pot for calibers from 225 to 410.
Any suggestions are appreciated!

[383]

I have a #2 that I've only used for making ingots in muffin pans. For that I wish I'd gotten a #3 or maybe even a #4 as mine won't completely fill one of the muffin cavities in a single pour without defeating the purpose of the bottom pour design.

However, I think my #2 would be a little too big and unwieldy for pouring into a bullet mold if that's your intended purpose.
Disclaimer: I'm a noob at this stuff.

[PbHurler]

I don't use a ladle very often, (Lyman "egg" as well), but I think the Rowell #1 ladle would be right up your alley. 1lb capacity and a 9" handle length.

[dromia]

The 1lb Rowel is plenty big enough for casting with.

[Horace]

I`ve been using the 1lb Rowell with a shortened handle and am very pleased.

Horace

[Kull]

I use a #1 with a shortened handle too for casting. The #3 is big, great for making ingots, not for casting bullets.

[bbqncigars]

The #1 is adequate for most tasks, but I believe the #2 would be the better choice for larger (.45 and up) multiple cavity blocks.

[montana_charlie]

The #1 is adequate for most tasks, but I believe the #2 would be the better choice for larger (.45 and up) multiple cavity blocks.
I don't have a Rowell ladle, but I do cast large .45 bullets.
One bullet weighs 550 grains, and a pound of alloy (the capacity of the Rowell #1) would pour 12 of them.

How many cavities are normal in a mould of that caliber?

CM

[RickinTN]

I've never used a Rowell Ladle but have considered it. I do use a Lyman ladle. The thing that has kept me from purchasing the Rowell is it seems even the smallest (1 pound) would be quite heavy compared to my Lyman and also for my use. Even if I were to have a 6-cavity 45 cal. 300 grain mold, which I don't, that's only 1800 grains and adding for sprue puddles etc. I'm thinking around 2,500 grains would be more than adequate for complete fill of such a mold. A one pound is almost three times this big. I really like the concept of a true bottom pour, just not the 1 pound size.

[pdawg_shooter]

I use a #1 every time I cast. I shortened the handle rod 3". Get better control that way.

[wch]

Thanks, fellas (and ladies?)
I finally decided on a #3 and a #1.
wch

[bbqncigars]

I just fired up my three cavity NOE .513 850gr mold today and found that I can fill all three from a single fill of the #1 if I don't spill a drop. My fill level is about 3/16" below the rim of the ladle. Any higher tends to make a mess.

[jmort]

I have a # 1 and a # 7 for casting and smelting respectively. They sure are nice, and I love the fact that they are manufactured by Advance Car Mover Co. Ordered them direct, $80.59 delivered for both.