smoke73 - try adding about 35% to 40% Vaseline to that beewswax. That makes it pretty close to the Sharps lube of the 1880's. I know Vaseline is petrolium jelly - and petrolium will not mix with black powder fouling - in thoery & proctise, mostly. I believe Vaseling is a synthseized derivitive of petrolium and I surmise that when it is synthesized, it's properties must be changed somewhat, as when mixed with beeswax, it makes a great lube for black powder and smokeless in large bores. I've driven .45 and .50 cal bullets to 2,000fps without leading, using 60:40 BW/Vas for lube. It also worked wonderfully with black powder loads in my Rolling Block.

Beeswax by itself, is not a particularly good lube - seems to work in your instance, but - it becomes a good lube, when it is used on conjunction with an additive. The beeswax, due to it's consistancy properties, makes an excellent "carrier", whereas other waxes, like parafin don't do as well. This has born out in my own testing in comparrisons of the two carriers. Of course, others seem to like parafin and fuly recommend it.

As to crimps, Lyman still sells the roll crimper than can be used in a drill press, or with an electric drill. Increasing crimp pressure makes for a better, more consistant burning of the powder charge. Lee sells the plastic star crimpers and with plastic cases, one of these will partically fold the neck over the ball, making for a sort-of pointed crimp, that helps hold things together. The pouring of lube on top of the ball, then when still soft, forming the plastic over the ball and holding it for a few seconds, might help hold the case crimp/folds.