I had a good shooting buddy when I lived back East, who before a match with a clean rifle, would snap a couple of caps and pour a light (maybe 10 grns.) charge of powder down the bore, cap the rifle and then would shoot off the charge (on the line, range open, of course). He then ran a fouling swab down the bore and said he was ready to shoot the match. He said the light charge would burn out any oil residue left in the fire channel and breech; no worries with misfires or hangs, and I never saw him having any issues.
Personally, a couple of dry patches through the bore followed by a couple of snapped caps always seems to work just fine for me to prepare for a shoot, or a hunt for that matter. During a hunting season, especially when my rifle might be left loaded for a few days, I'd just as soon not leave burnt powder fouling in the breach, and that's just my take on it. I also don't care to leave a m.l. loaded for too very long. If the gun was clean when loaded, and wasn't fired, I pull the ball, dump the powder and leave it empty until I go out again. That's just my way, and it's always worked for me. I know everyone has their own method, and if it works, that's a great thing. Make sure, then go ahead...
And, as far as m.l. salutes go, I ONCE charged up my rifle (a TC, 50 cal. Hawken back in those days) with 100 grns. of powder and shot off a salute with a bunch of guys to celebrate something; can't even remember what for. Then, shooting in a match a little later, and without a thought about it, poured powder, started the patched r.b., and tried to ram the ball home. Got about half the way down the bore, and that was it. I ended up needing help to pull the ball, and then had to clean the rifle of fouling and damp powder from the ball pulling session. I have shot a few salutes since, but always cleaned the bore pretty well before trying to load powder and ball after making the big noise. It's just what I do now using the Holy Black, with or without a patched round ball. I guess everyone's m.l. mileage certainly does vary, and a mentor or two during the learning curve is a fine thing. I was lucky to have some very good ones through the years.