Blue is copper. IMO, copper build up is the major reason for pitting as copper oxidizes before steel.

I say throw away the snake. They are useless. Get a decent cleaning rod like dewey or tipton, and with a good coated cleaning jag from tipton. Get a decent copper remover like sweets, or CR10. I would suggest wipeout but the foaming action isn't good for autos that use gas recoil.