2-Piper the seasoning theory is pretty much discredited now. However there is a problem with petroleum and blackpowder in that a barrel with petroleum based lube seems to make a hard gunk pretty fast that is difficult to remove. Best solvent for blackpowder residues is water. But the oils in the gunk make the water ineffective. So today most of the homemade lubes are either animal fat and beeswax based, or more popular, is a mixture of Murphys oil soap, a little dish detergent and alcohol or water. Muzzleloaders cleaned for storage are usually protected with a modern oil which is wiped out well before the next use.
