I use both loose Pyrodex and Pellets (not at the same time) and I can get a clean barrel with 3 spit patches if no cleaners are available. Just swab down slowly and flip and reuse, get another and so on. Crud ring will happen but you can minimize it by cleaning the gun. Muzzleloaders are more maintenance but in my opinion they are more fun to shoot and some of the new guns out have really neat and fast ways to clean them. I have all my ramrods maked when the bullet is seated, only I do not use tape, I have permanentenly cut a mark around the ramrod in which it meets the crown of the barrel flush. I used a good pocket knife and the marks are going strong even after 10 years of weathering.