Are you doing it "wrong", I doubt it... I am a
K.I.S.S. principle kind of guy when it comes to many things, gun cleaning included... One of my all time favorite gun cleaning videos is by
gunblue490 on YouTube (
LINK). Watch the video, pick your favorite chemicals, and clean your bore gently so as to not damage it and you'll be fine...
In summary, I think technique is more important that chemistry. There is a latin phrase that you might have heard elsewhere in the world that applies very nicely to cleaning firearms - "
primum non nocere" (first do no harm)...
Earlier today I posted the following photo of my bore at the muzzle in Bergara B-14 HMR thread...
Since break-in (1,150 rounds), the only chemical/solvent that I have put in that bore is WD-40. Not exactly high tech stuff and the bore is doing fine & shoots great. In the spirit of
gunblue490, if you wanted to make up your own "home made" substitute for WD-40, mixing 1 part mineral oil and 9 parts odorless mineral spirits is where I would start... I don't think you need "fancy" chemistry or products for most "common man" (amature) applications.
Best,
-r-