Word of caution on lubes containing Murphy's Oil Soap. Those who use combinations, ball and patch that don't quite seal all the powder gasses behind the ball, can experience a hard brown gunge in the corners of the grooves. My brother used this type of lube for years without any such trouble, in 3 different rifles as well as his Brown Bess. He uses very tight combinations in all guns, no problem.

Glad it's coming together, Bill.

Nowadays, for most of my trail walk and target shooting, I use a mix of winter windshield washer fluid with some neetsfoot oil added. I shake it vigoursly, then pour it on my pre-cut patches, then gently squeeze out the excess. My patches are WET when used, not just damp. They prevent fouling from building up as I never have to wipe the bore while shooting all day - humidity 6% or humidity 100%.

Secret? - none - simply use a ball that is .005" under bore size, and a 10oz. Denim or .020" to .022" mattress ticking patches - wet with lube. Water based, or an oil like Mink oil or Neetsfoot oil. Hoppe's # 9 PLUS works as well as anything for target shooting. The oils are for hunting. Always check the accuracy - oils usually require more powder to get the same accurcy as water based lubes and shoot to a different poi.

Some guys like slightly thinner patches & do OK, but I find the thicker patches shoot more accurately.