Pouring lead into plugs

[Mr. Krinkle]

Who pours directly into plugs?
What are the drawbacks/advantages?
What techniques are there to stop lead from clogging the thru-drill hole?
How do you fill in the holes and smooth it out?

I pour directly.
I use an old drill bit, spray it with WD40, run it into the thru-wire hole and pour the lead. I keep twisting the drill bit until the lead is hard and pull it out.

A drawback is that sometimes I under/over fill the holes. I used to use Durhams puddy to fill in the holes. I found that if I'm fishing near rocks and the plug hits a rock where the puddy is, it can crack the paint. A friend of mine uses Qwikwood puddy that you have to kneed together.

I find that if I over pour the lead its a real pain the ass because I have to file it down.

Another drawback is its not a 100 percent precise in regards to the weight.

Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?