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My newtome Ruger No. 1 has a high comb that prevents the use of a hard rod.  I would appreciate the member's input re the use of a delrin or other flexible rod, as opposed to a bore snake, the use of which does not seem very sanitary in terms of collecting grit and the like.

I use pull through snakes all the time. I do clean them once in awhile by soaking them in detergent/water mix, and then blowing them off with an air hose. The ones I make from parachute cord I put a threaded end on, so I can change jag style from a brush or a cotton swab. So I'm just cleaning the cord when I soak it in detergent.

Have you seen the delrin rods that Steve Rhoades sells?  I haven't used them but hear a lot of people praise them.   I plan on ordering one this year.  They are quite flexible.

Chris.

The only problem with Steve's rods is that the end is not d&t'd for a brush, unless he has started doing it recently. I simply chucked mine and did so. But, you should ask him to do it.

we have a long time tradition that cleaning from the muzzle is some sort of unredeemable sin.     Is that really valid given todays materials and knowledge base ?

I agree that old brass and ill fitting steel rods, gritty cleaners, and especially bad cleaning habits, as well a the softer steels used in the older barrels probably created undue barrel wear.  (Though many original "rodded-out" muzzle loaders that have been reexamined using modern bore scopes show that the muzzles have been "coned" to facilitate loading)
  WW1 & 2 GI barrel cleaning habits and materials probably also had an impact.

But using modern precision rods that do not "pick up" barrel grit and a properly fitted and used bore guide and jags and patches----and mostly NOT pumping the cleaning rod up and down like a bicycle pump would make muzzle-end cleaning less hazardous

I shoot a bunch of Martini-type Schuetzens and sort of disassembling them pretty much have to clean from the front end. even though I slide a paper trough cut from a paper cup under the breech end of the barrel to catch most of the debris there is always some  getting into the action,  especially with the rimfire. 
I usefully give the action a quick hosing out with one of those aerosol quick-dry cleaner/light-lubes every couple relays. Putting a folded paper towel on the bench top under the action caters the drip through and shows how much crap accumulates in a fairly short time.  I use the "straw" with the spray and flush down along both sides of the open breechblock as well as angling it in under the front and back.   If the Germanic DST mechanism is an easy in-out quick detach time I pop it out and give it a good hosing too.  seems to help-----or at least it does't seem to make my offhand patterns any worse

I make Delrin rods.  It's easy to d&t one for a jag.  Best on a Lathe but can be done in a drill press. Use a plumb bob to index the floor end keeping every thing true.  Use the presses quill to tap true.  Lately have been turning a jag on one end rather than threading for a metal jag.  Another variation is threaded one end for a brush other end turned jag no handle.  1/4 inch works well in .32 bores.

Look for your local plastics supplier most stock Delrin in 5 foot lengths 

Boats

I also make Delrin rods, although I call them wiping rods rather than cleaning rods.

I make them with an integral jag on one end and/or a female threaded brass ferrule on the other.  I have also used a female threaded brass insert.

Another feature I add to mine is a brass point to position the patch (or stab a careless shooter )

Delrin rods are so simple that it's hard to say that any one is "the Best", but mine are as good as any because I pay a lot of attention to detail.  I've made a few for other shooters, but these days I just do so on request.  No money in it, and they cost too much to ship.

Paul