I have the 51/2" stainless one and clean it pretty much as you do. Remove the cylinder and the grips. Drop the cylinder into hot soapy water to soak while i clean the gun with a round paint brush. I dont dunk the whole gun, just the barrel while i clean the frame with the brush holding the butt of the grip area. I do wash out between the hammer and the frame so i suppose some water must get into the action. I have a piece of round nylon belting with scotchbrite glued to it to scrub the barrel out. Then i clean the cylinder with the brush around the nipple area and internally with the nylon thingy. Nipples are only removed every 4/5th cleaning session.
I use a cheapy asda hair dryer (£4)to dry it out then scrub the bore with a dry swab, spray everything with a good soaking of wd40. The cylinder pin is greased, the cylinder and grips are refitted and the whole thing is wiped down with a dry rag. Job done. The Rogers and spencer i remove the grips and the cylinder and drop the whole thing in the water which has worked well for 8 years now but the Ruger is so shiny and new looking i figure if i look after it it will out live me!
Just as a foot note, i allways use a good lube over the balls. It keeps the fouling soft so aiding cleaning and i store the gun barrel down so as any crap or exess wd40 can drain out without staining the grips. Have fun. Tim