JCP,
You ask: I will be casting 405-500 gr. bullets for 45/70, should I buy the bottom pour melter or dip with ladle? The mold will be a lee 405 gr. at firts and others later, probably all single cavity.
F: Don't bother with bottom pour pots, especially with long, heavy large caliber rifle bullets.
The ladle, when properly used will allow you to fiddle with casting techniques and come up with a method that works. The bottom drop pots do not lend themselves to this kind of close control over the various factors affecting the production of good bullets.
Good morning,
Forrest