End of Damascus?

In the autumn 2009 issue of "The Double Gun Journal", there's an article in which a number of these old shotguns were tested with modern 18,000psi "proof" loads. There were no failures. Any barrel can be unsafe due to horrible pitting, cracks, or obstructions. Older barrels are more likely to have these defects, but so often the failure is wrongly blamed on the material not the defect. It is common in Europe for vintage guns with damascus barrels in good shape to be retested a proof house and approved for modern smokeless loads
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It is not worth my hands or head to shoot these old relics. There are plenty of pictures on the web of injuries with firearms. I don't plan to add to them.
 
Shotguns and grenades have similar working pressures. ANY firearms I use are going to be well tested and up to speed with the ammo I use in them.

I do not have too many fingers or eyes. While some high end shotguns with laminated barrels can be and are safely operated with correct, gentle ammo, that doesn't mean shoving a couple turkey loads in an old Crescent will be.

The ONLY way I'd shoot a Damascus/laminated gun is with bore adapters. Ie. taking 12 gauge barrels and adding 20 gauge adapters of modern make and using 20 gauge ammo.
 
The very nature of damascus production can cause internal voids that can corrode from the inside of the steel. These voids are not visible nor detectable without very expensive testing.
Use bore adapters in damascus guns.
 
Win 1894??

How much class time is he going to take talking about pointed bullets in a Win 94?:rolleyes:

I remember that one from hunters safety, it is an issue.

Has anyone EVER seen a rifle destroyed from this?? Sure it could happen, but really how bad could it be, the rounds can't develop any pressure.

I don't think I have ever seen a factory loaded 30-30 round with a pointed bullet. The ol 30-30 needs all the help it can get, and they work great in my Savage 99.
 
Is that actually done?

The ONLY way I'd shoot a Damascus/laminated gun is with bore adapters. Ie. taking 12 gauge barrels and adding 20 gauge adapters of modern make and using 20 gauge ammo.
I would be interested in this. I inherited a Remington 12 gauge double with damascus barrels from my Great Uncle. It would be fun to shoot sub-caliber light field loads in it, IF this was an actual safe practice. Any documentation out there stating this is OK to do?
:confused:
 
The ONLY way I'd shoot a Damascus/laminated gun is with bore adapters. Ie. taking 12 gauge barrels and adding 20 gauge adapters of modern make and using 20 gauge ammo.
I would be interested in this. I inherited a Remington 12 gauge double with damascus barrels from my Great Uncle. It would be fun to shoot sub-caliber light field loads in it, IF this was an actual safe practice. Any documentation out there stating this is OK to do?
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Actually, you can get them "sleeved" for the original gauge. That involves sleeving the barrels with a nitro-proofed steel insert. Typically, those guns were designed for 2-1/2" shells and are sleeved to accept the same. It is also possible, for Euro guns, to have them sent back to the factory and "reproofed" for some form of modern smokeless loads.

There are several options to bringing these old guns back to life
 
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