It is my opinion that Damascus, or most any composite barrels from a Parker or most any other American gunmaker, are as good as the fluid-pressed steel barrels they eventually adopted. Remembering the change took place because producing fluid-pressed steel barrels was a less labor intensive process (read cheaper) than composite barrels. Further, they have been shot with any number of heavy loads, both composite and fluid-pressed, that any rupture due to occlusions or flaws would have already happened. Certainly I would make sure the wall thickness is adequate, but all things considered, I have no fear of composite barrels.
Again, this is just my opinion.
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"I'm a Setter man.
Not because I think they're better than the other breeds,
but because I'm a romantic - stuck on tradition - and to me, a Setter just "belongs" in the grouse picture."
George King, "That's Ruff", 2010 - a timeless classic.
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