Bore butter is a patch lube, NOT a solvent( no matter what the claims). Use water, or spit on cleaning patches - different from the patch you wrap around the ball--- to clean the barrel. ON humid days, I use a bit of spit- just wipe a CLEAN cleaning patch across my tongue, and run the damp side down the barrel.
I DO NOT run the patch all the way down to the breech however. I pull it out from about an inch above the breechplug, so I am not pushing crud into the flash channel. If the cleaning patch comes out semi-dry, I flip it over and run it down all the way on the SECOND stroke. On humid days, or when its raining, I use 2 or more patches to clean and dry the barrel between each shot.
I use a damp cleaning patch after each shot to put out any burning embers in the barrel.
Its a safety issue.
I can get away without cleaning the barrel for 3-4 shots, but then the balls start sticking in the barrel, and I have the same problem you were experiencing. The best way not to ruin your day is to simply clean the barrel adequately after every shot.
You have to pay attention to the condition of the crud on your cleaning patch, to do it right. If it looks slick, greasy, and wet, you need to use another patch and try to get more of it out, and leave the barrel dryer and with less residue in the corners.
How many patches I use to clean the barrel depends on the temperature and the humidity, and what they are doing to the patches that come back out of the barrel. It changes with the season. I also use alcohol for cleaning in the freezing temps. of winter. I have used Hoppes Bore Solvent, and I think its a great cleaner. I am not so in love with it as a patch lube.( I found its too wet for any use other than on a range where you will be firing a shot quickly. If you don't fire it quickly the water in the solvent fouls the powder charge.) Others use it for a patch lube, and like it.
I am using a predeceasor of the Bore Butter now sold. It was called Young Country 101 Lube, back when I bought this jar, that is almost done, now. I have a couple of jars of bore butter waiting for this one to be done! I like to lube the patches the night before, or put them in my microwave oven for a few seconds to melt the lube so it goes throughout the weave, before going to the range, or out to hunt.
You indicate you want to develop a " consistent " cleaning technique. Don't sacrifice observation and thought for " consistency" for consistency sake. Read those patches and make adjustments accordingly.
Your aim should be to put dry powder down a dry barrel, that is in as close to the condition that your new -unfired barrel was when you loaded it for that first shot. You need to keep that powder dry for it to ignite, and to burn completely and properly. Other wise you won't get similar velocities from shot to shot from the same measured powder load.
If you choose to use a " Wet" lube, ( that includes spit) then consider using an OP wad, or filler, between the powder and the PRB to keep the powder from being fouled by the wetness.
I Do not recommend the use of spit, or any other "wet" lube in the gun if you are going hunting for the day, and you may not fire the gun for hours. The wet patch will dry and leave a ring of rust in your barrel where it contacts the metal. This is a PITA to get rid of once it happens, and you will feel the pits there every time you load the barrel to that same spot, for as long as the gun is yours. Use a vegetable oil/wax lube instead, thinning it with alcohol in freezing conditions.
