"Muskrat" Mike has to eat crow

[MuskratMike]

As most know I never wipe between shots regardless of whether I am at the bench, hunting or on a trail walk. I have found no difference in accuracy using either Mink Oil/grease or pure Neatsfoot oil. I do have to admit on my .54 37-inch barreled Christian Springs/Edward Marshall barreled hunting rifle it does get harder to seat the ball after prolonged shooting. Today for a reason I can't explain I decided to swab after each shot (using 1 cotton cleaning patch soaked in Isopropyl alcohol followed by 1 dry cotton patch). I actually got better (by a very little) accuracy but it was very noticeably easier to load throughout the session. No way to do this hunting but then I should be shooting only once (with maybe a final coupe-d-grace) so it won't matter.
I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Even a stubborn old Irish one! 

[Maven]

Well MM don't stuff yourself  with crow as the swab/no swab decision may have more to do with the bore itself (e.g., smoothness); powder brand, amount, and granulation; relative humidity; and patch - RB fit.  There are likely other variables, but this is what immediately strikes me.  (Btw, I've tried it both ways and don't swab with a wet lube until I see flyers and hard starting/seating with a grease lube.)

[Jerry]

At the range it’s easy to swab after each shot. I feel I get more consistent shots by swabbing between shots. I’ve always swabbed between shots at the range. I only shoot smoothbores. For me, at the range, a mixture of 50% Ballistol and 50% water makes loading noticeably consistent. But then, I shoot with a tight ball and patch combination Jerry

[Daryl]

Interesting comments about the consistency of loading. That is what we feel when we load - consistent loading pressure, never changes for 5 shots or 50.
We don't wipe, but if you must wipe, or feel it makes a difference, have at it.

[wolf]

if I use goex I do not wipe. but i usually only shoot 20 to 30 times. now swiss is a different story. after about 5 shots in my 40 SMR it develops a rock hard ring towards the chamber and you have to about drive the ball to seat, the heck with that! I have swiss but I never use it anymore,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Daryl]

Interesting finding, wolf. What is the load in your .40, if I may ask?
I have heard that if the load is overly stiff for the bore size, that Swiss fouls more than GOEX.