Well, Rick, there's the rub--literally! And you've inadvertently backed up my statement about the benefits of openness in testing: You've pointed out a confounding factor in my experiment! I knew, but did not mention, that abrasive or corrosive slurry created by loosening up all manner of crud deposited in the bore by shooting, well, until it needs cleaning, is created merely by the action of cleaning with a brush. And I have no problem with a concern about wear caused by the combination of this slurry and a cleaning rod which could grind it into the bore's surface.
And this situation perhaps does not need an experiment because it is more straightforward to understand.
OK, this is falling into place now. It also validates that wacky method dictated to me back in the day because said method would introduce only a clean rod into the bore, regardless of bore guidance. By eliminating totally the risk of rod/bore contact, the use of a guide allows scrubbing back & forth with absolutely no danger. One step further would be to eliminate any physical contact by any cleaning apparatus/brush in the wash or scrubbing phase of the process. Easy: How about a bore size, radial squirting mini pressure washer, which could really blast a bore clean using an appropriate cleaning/dissolving/neutralizing solution?
And now I understand why the hardcore aficionados would do this, because they shoot a lot. And clean a lot. And lots of unguided cleaning would yield discernible damage, indeed. And a much better-reasoned cause of the situations Rick and all have observed.
So, the material from which the rod would be constructed would be moot, in that brass, aluminum, steel, wood, plastic rods could all rub abrasive goo against the insides if they were not guided to prevent it. And the guide lines would be to use a bore guide, and a plastic or brass brush for scrubbing with an appropriate solvent. Hmm...sort of right back where we started. But I feel a lot better having it figured out here, just why it is so. Gentlemen, thank you for your patience and contributions.
David Parker
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