Boats,
I agree with the points you've made. I too avoid the use of a wad whenever possible to prevent the introduction of another variable. We definitely have enough to contend with as is.
I do not use a deep-seated card, vege-fiber, floral foam or poly wad at the target range (even if it were to be positioned so as to allow the face of the powder charge to slump). As you point out, a shooter can avoid the two group target by using a consistent approach when mounting the rifle.
Where I do use the tuft is for the occasional shot in the field at small game, and which usually occurs at sighting angles both above and below those we normally use punching paper. Without the tuft, I'm back to the two-shot group.
Note: edit that last line to say two-group target - it's late and been a looong day! The dacron I’ve experimented with is an unwoven fibrous material, somewhat similar to very coarse fly-body dubbing before you roll it around the thread and then wind it onto the shank of your hook. It will keep the powder in position near the primer, but the open fibers allow powder gases to flow through.
It will melt when exposed to a direct flame, but the expelled tufts I have retrieved after firing have remained unfused. Haven’t gotten any goo from the cases or bores after cleaning either.
I’ve looked for extra-coarse fly-body dubbing to get away from the plastic fibers, but haven’t located it in economical packages. It would probably be about like taking a very coarse felt and pulling it back apart before use in the cartridge.