An overshot wad is a different matter. Obturation of a conicalto form a seal is desirable as long as that seal isn't TOO good. Placing something ahead of a large, bore-fittingconical in a muzzleloader is called a bore obstruction and, thankfully, no I haven't seen it. I would insist on NOT seeing it. Your buddy's White? How much hands-on experience do you have with a White? I've quite a lot and, yes they are very strong assemblies and yes, your "buddy" probably has gotten away with that nonsense in a White.

Such a piece of evidence in support of your advice such as - I've seen my buddy do it - is hardly what I would call convincing. Sure, hold my beer and watch this!! Not effect POI or pressure? Guess I also need to watch "your buddy" do it... from a distance.

Many, many years ago I double loaded a patched ball in a TC Hawken over 90 grains of Pyro P. When I touched that load off the rifle kicked like a mule from hell, fully recocked itself, left my nose and the right corner of my mouth bleeding, and actually put me a little out forjust a moment. Not a smart thing to doand certainlyan experiment I never care to repeat. That rifle, which had a Douglas barrel, did hold together which only attested to the fine quality TCbuilt intothe piece.

And I'veexperienced the effect of aslightly alloyed conical that was just a bit lopsided in a TC Encore. The load was normal in all other aspects. No blood that time, but anotherVERY convincing lesson. A picture of the scene afterwards would have resembled something from a cartoon.

So my conclusion is, based uponmy own "limited" experience,that suggesting ANYTHING be placed ahead of a projectile is very bad advice. (the only exception would be a piece of tape, finger cot,or similar over the end of the muzzle to prevent inleakage of moisture).

Instead, if one has any reason to doubt or just as a matter of good practice, check the seating of the conical periodically. I have yet to have one come off its seat and there have been times when I would have thought it would have done so. Correctly fitting conicals and checking the seating routinely seem totally appropriate in the use of my four Whites. But I'm no expert.