In my opinion (and I have lots of them I'm told), When I swab I am trying to replicate my first shot from a clean barrel. My first shot and hopefully my second shot from a swabbed barrel will hopefully be very close to one another.I really don't like the idea of fouling a barrel before hunting. Mainly because I'm a little on the lazy side and don't like having to clean a rifle for no real good reason. As for the 2nd and 3rd shots well I haven't had the need for it (ML or CF), so taking the time to load up properly isn't really an issue. Heck by the time the smoke clears they (deer) don't usually offer up a decent shot anyways.

With my Omega, swabbing between shots helps me keep a 5 shot group under 2 inches at 100 yds. Admittedly,this has not been the case with my flintlock (yet) @ 50 yds,but I am working on that issue.

To swab or not to swab, I guess it really boils down to your own personal prefference. (waffle)