Heated-shot loading traded accuracy for incendiary effect

How did the protective plug used with heated shot affect naval-gun accuracy?

The method differed by gun and always affected accuracy somewhat, but volume of fire could compensate for the reduction.

Heated shot required a barrier between the hot projectile and the powder charge, but the exact method varied with the gun and ammunition system. Those arrangements could reduce accuracy. Firing enough rounds could make the loss acceptable because even a few incendiary hits threatened a wooden ship.