I`ve found lee molds will leach cutting oil for 3-4 castings then settle down a lot .
Look for a cheap single hot plate to preheat ya mold to `bout 300f & throw good shooters from the get go !
1 way to preheat a 2 holer is to dip the corner(closed mold) in the melt & when the alloy doesn't stik anymore go to it.
If ya don`t got a thermometer get 1 ,aluminum molds like it hot , but too hot ain`t good for em.
I`m not cheap but I am frugal & like to make tools last . If ya don`t got a good lube such as Bull Shops Bull plate sprue plate lube get some , until then get a good grade of synthetic 2 cycle oil . Some say the Bull Plate is the same but it`s not the Bull plate is better !
Now when ya lube the mold use lube very sparingly, I shake the container & wipe the cap out with a q-tip & even then go at it lite handedly at the pins sprue plate screw, litely on the plate & body of the mold .
Using this method I have 2 holers close to 10k & still very serviceable.
You`re off to a good start, wish my first session ended with shooters!!
Addition: Some say it`s a band aid of sorts but I do it , smoke the cavitys slightly with a butane liter , lay down a slightly visible layer, in my opinion it helps the alloy to "slip" on the aluminum surface & aid in fill out
GP