I purchased a mold from Arsenal molds for the first time in early June. The mold arrived after July 4th and I started casting to find out that the sprue plate was hogged out on the bottom side by some power tool and it was cupped down the middle of the sprue holes. 4 out of 5 bullets had bad fins on the bases.
I emailed Arsenal and they sent me another sprue plate. This one was just as bad! With a straight edge across the plate, the sprue holes were arched up over the mold surface by 4-5 thousandths. I screwed up by laboriously hand lapping the sprue plate for at least an hour today then trying to cast again. I ran 10 pounds of lead through the mold this afternoon and didn't get a single bullet without wrinkles. Now it apparently has a venting problem. I am fed up! The mold was clean when I got it and I washed it with Comet and a toothbrush anyways before I started casting.
I contacted Arsenal just now and asked for a return shipping label. I will hopefully get my money back and just pick up my bullet the next time NOE has it in stock. I only ordered from Arsenal because it has been out of stock at NOE. My impression is that Arsenal is closer to Lee quality but double the money of Lee.
You ever go out to the shop and cast for over an hour and not get one good keeper bullet? Super frustrating and it happened to me twice with this mold, plus all my effort dripping sweat lapping the plate for over an hour.