90% of us are likely adult males who can choose the degree of certainty we require when using our vintage doubles, while recognizing that we can't really know what the barrels have been subjected to in the last 100 years.
We do however have an obligation to make some reasonable effort (likely to be defined by a personal injury lawyer) to avoid injury to a shooting/hunting buddy (a grandchild?) by flying shrapnel.
https://docs.google.com/a/damascuskn...vwLYc-kGA/edit
A $120 Manson gauge from Brownell's is a small investment to
help establish the safety of the gun we are using
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod20463.aspx
Or the excellent Hosford gauge
http://www.hosfordco.com/sporting-sh...ess-gauge.html
If we only shoot and hunt alone, we may certainly choose to do whatever we wish.