I use about the same set up .
IE 2 over the powder cards .
What I do is load the first one dry , the second one I hold in my mouth while loading the first card . This wets the second card .
What you will have to do is work a load up to find what gives you the best pattern .
A Wad / cushion is just that . It cushions the shot column on ignition .
This is basically why wet the second card , so as to give some cushion to the shot ..
As to cards . Now and then I buy a bag . But what I do most of the time , is make my own . Harbor freight sells a punch set . ToW also used to sell the correct sized punches.
For my wads in my 62 I use a spent C02 cylinder , just cut the big end off . Then file it to a sharp edge . Drill out the small end so as to accept a nail . That way you can push the wads out .
I cut my wads from horse hair carpet pad then soak them in melted toilet bowl wrings .
I do this also with RB through my smoothbore .
Now over the powder cards , just the wad , right on the powder . Drop the ball in and then place an over the shot card to hold it .
I get better accuracy then with a patch and it doesn’t foul as bad
As to shot . If you don’t mind screening it for size , stop by a local trap club and get your name on the list for when they do a reclaiming . Normally they will sell it to you cheep
I then bring the shot home and dump it through a screen that will only alow #7 or smaller shot to fall through . A simple flower sifter works great for this
The bigger shot I melt down into ingots for RB