Once you get the zinc issue cleared up get yourself a ladle. I’ve done it both ways and I get a lot less rejects using a ladle than a bottom pour spout. I use the pressure cast method, dip the ladle full, rotate mold sideways and put ladle spout into spruce hole, rotate ladle and mold together to pour.
Also if your mold is new it may have grease or oil in it causing incomplete fill out. Old toothbrush and some gasoline or other solvent will help with that.
