Just asking... Should there be any change in pattern with the buck loaded on top of wad and then ball vs the buck over the ball?Buck and ball loadings per all the known US ordnance manuals of the era list .65 ball with 3x 00 bucks on top. You most likely have a difficult time getting 3x 000 bucks to stack properly.
I tried both with my BP 12 ga double and I could not see any real change in the pattern. I just decided to keep them loaded that way buck on top in left and bottom on right since I knew the general pattern. I can't say for sure, but I believe both of my barrels are choked the same.