Barrel questions

[Paul Harm]

I have 10 or so damascus barrel SxS's - Parkers and Remingtons - and shoot them every week at clays. All are shot with low pressure nitro loads. I never had a gunsmith check any of them. There are another six or so guys at my club who also shoot damascus SxS's. Don't remember any of them being checked. I'm not telling you to do the same, but if you know what to look for I wouldn't worry about shooting just about any Parker in nice shape. They were built pretty stout. As far as the damascus issuse goes, the Brits have always shot their old damascus guns, and still reproff them. Sherman Bell tried to blow up 20 or so wall hangers with damascus barrels useing Remington proof loads [ 18,000psi ] and couldn't do it. A normal shell has from 9 to 12,000psi. If you don't reload RST low pressure shells can be bought, or go to our reloading forum and learn to reload at around 5 to 7000psi . That would be black powder pressures. Shoot your gun, that's what it was built for.

[Murray Gaskins]

Thanks Paul,

I appreciate the response. I have some other Damascus guns that I have had for a long time, both American and English made. I will check them out as they are languishing. I can load the low pressure loads, so no problem there. I have a friend who shoots Damascus guns with low pressure loads, all the time when we are hunting. Again, thank you folks for the responses.

Take care, and Happy New Year. Murray