Got up this morning to cast my first batch of bullets using a brand new RCBS lead ladle I purchased from Amazon. I had been using a cheap Lee ladle previously and casted thousands of rounds using it but got tired of dipping the ladle three times to fill a six cavity mold. The bullets turned out ok so long as you completely filled the cavity leaving a generous amount of sprue to cut which can sometimes be a challenge when the lead in the ladle runs low. I also had to pour the lead quickly or the flow would be affected by cooling. Keeping the ladle clean was also a must in order to maintain a uniform pour.

The RCBS ladle is so much more efficient than the Lee in every way. It carries about four times as much lead than the Lee, retains the heat longer and has a spout that allows you to fill the cavities at a ferocious pace. The RCBS ladle not only fills the cavities better, it also increases output by a factor of more than half. I cranked out 725 .356 LSWC in an hour and 15 minutes...and that includes set up time (melting the lead, etc).

A lot of beginners are attracted to the Lee ladle because it is cheap ($6). It's actually a reasonable way to start off but the ladle is just barely good enough to make bullets. If you plan on ladle casting (as opposed to bottom pour), I would recommend that your buy a RCBS (or Lyman) to start. It will make your first experience much more pleasurable.

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Here's the RCBS ladle in action:

While I don't cast yet. I will one day and will get an RCBS ladle. I have a favorite tool, as well. I love my RCBS hand priming tool. Having the right tool to do a job one enjoys is a joy in itself. Thanks for letting us know.

I looked at the Lyman, RCBS and Rowell #1 ladle. Lyman is smaller than RCBS and doesn't have that hard fin on the outside that can aid in skimming the dross on the surface of the melt to one side. Pouring from the spout (lyman, RCBS or Rowell ) also helps to avoid the problem of dumping the dross floating on the surface of the lead in the ladle into the mold. The bottom line is that the mold fills faster and more completely than with a Lee ladle.