After pouring my heart out for a while, I now know just why these things cost an arm and a leg.

Granted, my only pouring experience before these were leadheads in production molds.  The hooks are easy to handle and you have something to hold onto when you remove the sprues.

These drop shot weights are a different story altogether.  The swivels are tiny and hard to handle, esp. for someone with sausage fingers.  After pouring 10 batches, the mold is so hot you have to burn your fingers to get the swivels in place.  Removing the sprues requires a bit more strength since there isn't anything to grab.

Beginning to wonder why I didn't just go with split shot.

Beginning to wonder why I didn't just go with split shot.

It's certainly more economical, 'tis what I use. But, for whatever reason, it's hard to find the round splitshot around here (no removal tabs or "ears"  to hang on things).

I pour my own Dropshot weights to but I use a casting sinker mold instead. Casting sinkers make the best DS sinkers around. Plus I got the mold on clearance at BPS.  

I pour the Bakudan drop shot sinker and don't have any of the problems you have described.

But, for whatever reason, it's hard to find the round splitshot around here (no removal tabs or "ears" to hang on things).

Probably because everybody is using them on their drop shot rigs.    I use splitshot and pegged bullets.

I just buy mine at BPS

No mess they work fine and seem to last a good while before I snag up or a Piek hit sone and bites it of.  

I fish a few lakes in Upstate NY where the pike love to hit the DS weight before they bite the bait, of course when they bite the bait you loose the entire rig 50% of the time anyway.