ORIGINAL: eldeguello
When swabbing from the muzzle, always use a muzzle protector to keep the rod from wearing onthe lands at the muzzle.
I also always use a bore guide/protector to center the ramod when loading to include short starting and also for cleaning. Have used a bore guide since the beginning as my grandfather used to machine them from brass stock himself. I have several for a wide range of calibers and rod diameters.
Like:
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/categories/tableList.aspx?catID=6&subID=49&styleID=15 9
Tahquamenon