I enjoy cleaning my rifles. They get a full clean after every outing.
I have a bore snake that I use if I am in a rush when I get in, then they get a full clean the next day.
I can't understand how anyone could damage a rifle using one unless they tied one end to the rifle and the other end to their car and drove the full length of the A1.
Use the correct one for the calibre, pull it straight out. Don't use one with knots in and check it doesn't have any nicks fraying or cuts.