Ladle-casting is a perfectly acceptable method. You'd be surprised at how many casters try bottom pour pots and go straight back to an "old fashioned" 'dipper' casting pot.
Look at it this way:
You can always ladle-cast, but not all molds (possible future buys) will work with bottom-pour pots. And, bottom pour pots require more attention.
If you want to get started without being thrown into the deep end, stick with the classic ladle-casting method.
If you decide you want to try a bottom-pour pot in the future, you can. But, you'll still have the ability to ladle-cast small batches, or molds that don't work well with bottom-pouring.
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My experience with a few ladles:
The Rowell ladles (even the #1) are too big for nearly any casting pot under 20#. Even then, I wouldn't use it. It's too big, too heavy, and ... just awkward.
The Lee ladle is worthless at a casting bench. I know a lot of people on these forums think I'm an "elitist" Lee-hater, but I won't rag on a Lee tool unless I've tried it.
I wanted to try it... So, I bought one when I was searching for something a little different than the Lyman ladle I've got.
I laughed when I pulled it out of the package.
I was frustrated by the incredibly short handle.
I was frustrated further by the low capacity.
I laughed (begrudgingly) when the handle caught fire under what I consider normal use. (Leave the ladle in the alloy between pours, keeping the handle clear of the pot.)
Now, I use the Lee ladle (sans handle) to plant sunflower seeds in the Spring. I punch a hole with the shaft, push the seeds into the soil with the shaft, and then scoop dirt into the hole with the 'spoon' end. It's a great gardening tool.
The Lyman ladle is love/hate for me. I like the 'feel' of it. I like the rate at which it pours. I like the capacity. The handle length is just about perfect. But, it constantly oxidizes lead on the surface. If I don't clean it regularly (every 6-10 pours), I get inclusions.
The RCBS ladle is like a scaled-down version of the Lyman ladle. The pour rate is slower. It's lighter. Its capacity is lower. The handle is shorter. But... it doesn't cause oxidation like the Lyman ladle.
I use a Lyman ladle for large bullets (41 caliber or larger, and/or 200 gr or heavier), and an RCBS ladle for smaller bullets (30/32 caliber to 40 caliber).
I tried a couple Rowell ladles, but just couldn't find a way to make them usable with a casting pot. Now, I only have one (#1), and it is used only for pouring ingots when I smelt alloys in a dutch oven.
-Just my $0.16