I hate this discussion, because I do not think there is a right answer.... It is another one of the crusadesthat the infamous RW started because somebody suggested something...

I have used bore butter since I began shooting ML's at first I was using it as suggested on the tube , then folowing the advice of other users changed my approach on how I used the stuff. Then over the last 6 or 7 years completely changed that approach and adopted my own method. In the last couple of years I have even give up on BB and do not useit any longer since TC introduced the new T17 patch with Natural Lube 1000.

I long ago figured out that BB or for that matter T17 did not season a barrel as the thought is intended - your barrel is not a cast iron skillet. I do believe it alleviates fouling in fact I am positive of it. I use it in my trap guns and especially the chokes. Some of you that shoot shotguns a lot pull your uncleaned choke - put a little BB on you little finger or use a T17 patch and run it gently into and around in the the choke... course your finger will turn black as it leaches plastic and powder residue out of the choke.

Another belief I have, and I have absolutely no way to prove it... I do not get the T7 "crud ring" in any of the ML's that I shoot - I believe that BB and T17 are a factor in reducing that fouling also. As an example last week shooting PRB's in Colfax I switched from my normal load of GOEX to T7... - the old timers had convinced me that I needed to use GOEX so I would not have to patch the barrelafter each shotas i normally do whenusing T7. Well, in Colfax while shooting T7 - i did notswab after each shoot and things went great.

So, for just me, BB and T17 work great and I will continue touse it in the manner that I do - applying it in in a very hot barrel... allow some cooling then dry patching the bulk back out... At this point I should also say that I do not believe that either of these products will protect the metal from rust. The last step in my process is the application of a healthy coat of Slip 2000 a synthetic bore oil, then dry patch the majority of that back out of the barrel unless the gun is going to be stored for a long duration.

Just, again, my 2 cents...

Oh! the question is BB necessary - NO!