I've always cast with a lyman ladle.

I never did turn the mold sideways. Just poured from the top. But I always used the "channeled" H&G sprueplate. If I had a mold that was not so channeled, it would get that way real soon, via my Dremel. :-) having to carefully start and stop the pour at each cavity is a pita. My only complaint about the lyman dipper is that it's a bit small for a 6 cavity 45 mold. I am interested in the Rowel 2 lb model, for its larger capacity. Thanks to whomever posted about it. I saw it in the archives.

Take a look at the RCBS ladle too. Unless your 45 slugs are 350+gn each it is more than large enough, and not much bigger than the lyman.