Question about damascus barrels and turkey loads

[ed oneal]

i recently bought an 1890 10 with damascus steel, i didn't know and have been shooting modern loads, how bad is that or is it ok? should i have a gunsmith check it out, thanks

[ed oneal]

i've heard they are good for chasing some kind of birds that run the roads, but i don't know if they ever catch em

[Dennis]

Ed, by modern loads are you talking about 3 1/2 inch magnum shells or some older 2 7/8 inch shells. The older members of the forum can tell you much better than I can but no it is not a good idea to shoot modern loads (I am assuming the 3 1/2 inch loads in a Damascus barreled gun. A lot depends on the type of Damascus and the condition of the barrels.

Dennis

[Dean Romig]

Even more, along with the condition of the barrels, would be the frame size.

[Mills]

A lot of us use RST shells in our Damascus barreled guns. If you are new to Damascus barreled guns, you may want to have them checked out by a gunsmith who specializes in vintage guns

[Dennis]

With due respect to all who are writing I seem to be missing something here and have to go with what Dean is saying. I haven't shot but one turkey in my life but I believe it was killed with 1 1/4 ounces of number 6 shot at about 36 yards range from a Remington 870 as I had no side by sides at the time. From what I am reading it seems that some of the writers question the use of Damascus barrels. Did nobody ever kill a turkey before the invention of fluid steel barrels. As Dean says a turkey is a thin skulled bird and the wing bones are not that big. At reasonable ranges out to 40 yards with any decent patterning shotgun and at leas number 6 shot there should be a dead turkey.

Dennis

[charlie cleveland]

dennis you are right that any decent gun will kill a turkey at 40 yards..i shoot damascus barrels the year round i ve killed a lots of turkeys with these old damascus barrels and there has always been high brass shells used in these guns even some magnum loads ..i ve used parkers lefevers colt remington and lc smith with these high brass shells for the last 50 years with no problem s..the old 10 parker 3 frame has shot several magnum 3 1/2 inch 12 ga turkey loads in it.. i think damascus barrels that are good and sound are safe as steel barrels ..the only bad thing about damacus barrels is that since bell done that test and a lot of peoiple found out they could shoot these old guns with other than fluid steel barrels is that its driven the prices of these old gun away up... charlie

[Dean Romig]

I killed my Vermont long-beard this year with a 10 gauge Damascus barreled Parker Bros. Grade 3 hammergun.

[Casey]

That's it!!!
Lever action .22 for Turkeys under 75 yards;
Bolt action .222 for Turkeys over 75 yards;

Both pattern very well and are quite deadly for well placed head shots.

[charlie cleveland]

we ca not use rifles for turkey anymore in mississippi.. charlie