I have never used the Vari Flame although I read posts from people that have. My rifles do not have a crud ring problem per say, yes they fowl, and yes it swabs out easy, so there really is not anything the Vari Flame could do for me. I do use Remington Kleenbore Primers with my loose powder and Winchester W209's with the pellets. So far so good.

As a precaution, I do twist the breech plug every 7-10 shots to make sure it is not seizing up in the breech but other then that I have shot over 25 shots through the Black Diamond XR in one sitting and then cleaned the breech plug when I pulled the striker (it was all fowled up and not moving very fast anymore)and cleaned that and the breech. Since I was right there, it really was not all that plugged as I saw it...

It sounds like your Encore tuned in real fast. I will be interested to hear how the Shockwaves do on Ms. Piggy or Porky for that matter. That's interesting learning that increasing to three pellets instead of two upped the place they hit 8.5 inches. I might have to test that myself, just to say I did it. When I was shooting 120 grains of loose Triple Se7en and 200 grain Shockwaves, I noticed they hit about two inches high at 30 yards so you figure out to 100 yards and they might have been in the same ball park. Again, more shooting needed.

I shot an old Traditions Pioneer .50 caliber today with roundball. I do not shoot it much as it is in ruff shape thanks to the previous owner who gave it to me as a lost cause. The old rifle with 70 grains of Goex 2f and a patched roundball is deadly though.

Good luck with your pig hunting.!!!