It not ideal to use a steel rod, it cam damage the bore. IF you have a small enough dia steel rod, you COULD tape it up with electrical tape to keep it from doing the damage, but do so at risk and care. I know others insist to not use a dowel, and I agree, but if you don't have the means to get the other stuff, you can do it, as I said, IF you don't have to hammer it hard and only if you tightly tape the end couple inches to help against splintering, I would use the steel taped up (many cleaning rod are highly polished steel)before the dowel though.
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