In the "Great Debate over the safety of composite Barrels, A very important consideration needs a much greater focus. Composite Barrels were manufactured in many different configuations and degrees of quality. The top American manufacturers used the highest quality barrels available. The smaller manufacturers and importers used much lower quality tubes. Perhaps the poor quality tubes were not able to withstand the higher pressures of nitro powders.
The expense of high quality composite barrels, drove the industry to create much less expensive fluid steel barrels. Fluid steel and composite co-existed for a period of time, in fact composite became a luxury upgrade.
The unilateral condemnation of Damascus and composite barrels, I believe was primarily a marketing move to reduce costs in materials. Failures in poor quality barrels may have supported the manufacturers position.
Shootability depends on quality and condition. Every set should be individually evaluated.
Brad
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