It is true that V. M. used "minimal wadding" to good effect. He also tended to load his powder and shot straight from the flask and he also lubricated his loads by spitting down the bore before seating the OP wad. These practices are definite "no-nos", today, and for good reason.
Bores that are choked and/or are in good condition can do very well with Starr's "minimalist" wad columns if loads are lubricated properly with water or other appropriate solvent (preferably from a spray- squeeze-bottle and not from placing one's head over loaded bores!). Otherwise, lubricated fiber or felt filler wads can be used to enhance load effectiveness.
Filler wad lubricants can vary from "thin" lubes like windshield washer solvent and various vegetable oils (for short-term target loads) to "thick" lubricants like Crisco-or tallow-based "bullet lubes" (for hunting loads). Filler wad thickness requirements can be a function of such bore conditions as "burn out" or just because the cranky thing just seems to "prefer" one height or composition more than others.
