So I decided to up my game when it came to cleaning my AR and splurged on a bore tech one piece coated cleaning rod and a bore guide. I just gave it a go and noticed some rifling marks on the brass part of the rod where the jag screws on. Is this normal? I’m trying to minimize any flex of the rod when pushing a patch through so I may be overly paranoid about any evidence of anything other than the patch contacting the bore as I push the patch through. I’m using Hopes .22 square patches and the patches went through with much less effort than what was needed with the Otis cable system I was using before so I’m 99% sure I’m using the cleaning rod properly.

Are you using a bore guide?

You'll want to use a bore guide as the other post said.

I don't recommend pushing a rod though. I think the regular 3 piece sectional ones are great so long as you're pulling it out from the chamber to the muzzle. Pushing is bad, in my opinion, but pulling you can do all day with no ill effect.