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I use an unlubed over powder wad when I shoot PA Connicals in my TC WMC. Can't say for sure it makes a huge difference in that rifle as it really shoots those well.
 
You will find many recurring threads that talk of using a wad or folded patch between powder and ball. Especially when using a thin path around the ball to minimize gas cutting. Also useful for those who don't wipe the bore between shots to push fouling out of the grooves and leave it between the powder charge and the patched ball. There are cases where accuracy is improved or that more shots can be fired before wiping the bore to remove fouling.
 
Using a dry, over powder patch or felt wad, etc, is a practice to protect the prb patch from getting burn holes. If your fired patches are in good shape with no holes burned through then you don't need an op patch/wad.

I've done this extensively trying felt/leather/wasp nest/toilet paper/tow and more. All appeared to work well in protecting the patch. Some shooters use wadding to prevent contaminating the powder with lube. Sometimes there is a slight improvement in accuracy but not always. Velocity often shows an increase in FPS and very frequently the loads are more consistent. By that I mean the velocity spread is less with a lower sd.

If patches are not burned an op wad is probably not needed. But on the other hand I've never seen an instance where it caused any problem either.
 
My rifle is loaded right now with a pinch of wasp nest over the powder & a patched ball seated on top.

I do this when leaving my gun loaded during hunting season using a olive oil wet patch ..

I feel like it helps seal the bore much more than just a patch does and it also protects the powder charge from being contaminated by the patch lube.
 
I've never done it either but recently I watched a guy do it because he believed this procedure was less harmful to the patch holding the RB!
I've heard of this but never saw a point to it. If a barrel is cutting or burning patches then i think it's like a band aid on a severed arm. Lots of reasons why a barrel may be wrecking patches but that's not the topic.

Now those who are patching over the powder to keep the powder dry are a whole different idea and probably a good one.
 
I tried this a few times with a greased wad under the patched ball and accuracy was worsened.

I found some of the remnants down range and in some instances the wad was stuck to the patch and my theory is that it steered the ball like a badminton bird.

If I ever try it again it will be with dry wads.

Mike from Florida has had good luck with this, maybe he will chime in.
 

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