Water-flushing (or) a few ounces of harsh solvent poured down the muzzle using a funnelare the only ways to assure that the powder channel(s) in your bore remain open after extensive use of the ML. I do not use the bucket treatment -- instead use a short garden hose attached to my laundry tub faucet -- then install a garden hose gun on the end & shoot hard thrusts of very warm (but not real hot) water in the muzzle-end - with the muzzle pointed upwards.

Yes... it splashes a little - but it's only water. Plus, by that time, I already semi-cleaned the bore with several solvent patches. Always remove the nipple first before doing any power-flushing by bucket or or garden gun treatments. Q-tips and solvent-dipped pipe cleaners also help in making the nipple hole-area sparkling clean. I then apply a small amount of anti-seize to the nipple threads before installing it. Make sure no anti-seize gets near the bottom ignition hole of the nipple.