Brit,
I can say that I am happy with conventional loads. Loads using coarser grain powder in the conventional manner.
These have always worked for me. If they didn't I would look see what I could change to make them work.
I have shot a lot of ducks, pheasants partridges and vermin with original muzzle loaders, and they have always worked fine without any unconventional loading.
I never used dry buffers. Simply card wads, (punched at home) or felt wads the same. Or ivy leaves when tinder dry at harvest time..
It seemed with the right powder, (TS2 or TS6 at that time)That I had killing patterns up to 40 yards. I never felt handicapped by no choke, but few of these old guns were bored a true cylinder. They usually had some slight friction and relief, and were well regulated in the better quality pieces.
Muzzle loaders Seem to shoot better patterns with shot maybe a size larger than we used in a breech-loader.
So if for wood pigeons I'd use no 7, try sixes in M. loader.
My 14 bore would clobber ducks as well as a breechloader, with 2 1/4 drams and 1 1/4 ounces of no 4.
That was lead shot in those days.
So my friend, your 4F May work, and yes, you are still here and not blown up! But as the old loads worked, and were used by the old gunners, some of them very dear friends of mine, I will continue in what I know, and wish you all the best with these newer ways of loading.
I will only add that slagging each other is never agreeable. and a victory in a slagging match is always rather hollow.
All the best,
Richard.