Mike - if you're doubling the 1/8" extrusions, then perhaps I shouldn't be as worried about the current sheet of beeswax and crisco I created which is about 1/4" thick. I'll use that up first and look at the extruder you've linked (thank you for that.)

Daryl - I also didn't use a double boiler, just was real cautious on the amount of heat. I did catch some grief for having beeswax in the family cooking pot after I was done. Ran that through the dishwasher twice and thankfully it came clean.

So far I've gotten away with only the lube cookie for the 450, which is shooting well. The 500 is another story...sounds similar to your brother's Sharps. I'm using a lube cookie and hand cut cardboard wad. I'll need to keep trying variations there including some purchased wads.

I got Paul Matthews book last week and thankfully I have some vacation this upcoming week so I'll get a chance to read it (but not try anything out till we're back from the beach.) The 500 has traditional rifling and seems to lead up quickly. That rifle is basically new condition condition. The 450 is Henry rifling and doesn't yield the same lead flakes when I clean it but it also has some miles on it. I want to try paper patching to see if that improves accuracy on the 500 and protects the bullet. The 450 I'm just going to try different shooting positions next.

I really appreciate both of you helping me out. I don't know how people did this before the internet and great resources like this forum. Thank you (and Brent and everyone one else!)

Regards,
Chris