I'm surprised at people putting tape over the muzzle,too. Anything that restricts or blocks the muzzle can result in barrel rupture and banana peel. Not good!
Thousands of hunters carry their firearms with a layer of tape over the muzzle. None of them have experienced a barrel rupture because of the tape. Accuracy has not been affected either. Thousands of us can recommend the procedure. The tape blows away long before the bullet gets there and the strength of the tape is so weak there is no obstruction, no barrel rupture, no problem.
Muzzle up for me... tried the muzzle down but the buttstock doesn't hang on my shoulder comfortably compared the the forend.