To answer the question, they are as safe as any of the barrels made back then. You can use BP or some RST low pressure nitro loads.I believe one of the reasons for the decline of damascus barrels was WW1. A lot of the workers were gone after the war. And better steels came into being cheaper than what it cost to make damascus. I disagree with the liability issue. Damascus barrel guns have always been in use and are reproofed today. It was only in the USA that they got a bad name. Sherman Bell tried to blow up over 20 " wall hangers " made from damascus and couldn't do it. Paul
