Using a traditional cleaning rod won't hurt the muzzle or bore, but cleaning with one pushes the dirt/debris into the rifle chamber and inner working, were it can be more difficult to clean out then cleaning breach to muzzle to begin with.
Viking wrote:What’s the best way to bore clean lever action rifles (Henry Long Ranger in my case). Is a bore brush good enough by itself? I have been told it’s not good idea to run a regular cleaning rod through the “end of the barrel “ Didn’t worry about it on my bolt actions but need some expert advise. And yes, at my age I should already know the answer,but..... I don’t. Thank you guys and gals! ........PS This is only my third post, so be gentle. GREAT FORUM!