The olive oil alone does well as a lube but leaves the need to swab after every few shots. It appears to me that by adding the water it cleans as I reload taking the crud in the grooves down the borewhere it rests behind the seated patch and ball.

One thing I enjoy about muzzeloading is itsomething that can be continuously experient with. I have been at it for almost 40 years and am still learning new things.