"I've tried .495s with thin patches in my .50, and I definitely have gone back to .490s with cut-at-the-muzzle pillow ticking.
I mostly use Blue Thunder as a patch lube, but a mixture of Ballistol to water can be done too. Some guns like a greasy patch, others a very lightly damp patch, others a dry patch with a bit of lube in the fibre. The key is to only ever vary one variable at a time while you work up a load. If you get pillow ticking material to cut your own patching, wash it thoroughly a couple of times to remove the "sizing" and starch from the fabric before you cut out your patches."
I had a chance to get out to the range last weekend, it was a lot of fun, and everything went pretty well. I was using pre-lubed patches, but I'd like to try cut-at-the-muzzle patching this weekend. I bought some pillow ticking, and I've used Ballistol for years, both straight and in a "moose milk" mixture. How is the lube applied? Pre-soaked in strips?, while loading? sprayed on or dipped?
Thanks everyone for the help.
Best regards,