"and cleaning it between shots with the aforementioned 3 piece steel rods. What should I use instead? \"

Perhaps a one-piece stainless-steel rod would be better. And use a rod guide to keep the rod from wearing on the chamber throat and rifling origin, and always clean from the breeech, of course.....

I'm afraid the choice of cleaning rods is also an area of controversy! I am really notsure which kind of rod is actually the best, but don't use aluminum or brass. These can pick up grit which then becomesembedded in the metal and causes undue wear.....