doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Why do older guns require low pressure loads?

Hi:

I have been cautioned to use "low pressure" loads in my N.R.Davis SXS. What makes a gun to require "low pressure" loads? Is it weak design, inferior materials, poor machine work/ tolerances etc.?

I have read that Damascus barrels are as strong as any despite what many will say. Do these require "low pressure" loads? Some of these old guns have been proofed at very high pressures!

What problems can happen if one does not use low pressure loads in an old gun? Will the action crack, a barrel split will the gun be off face etc? Has anybody ever split a stock on a boxlock if the stock was tight and well fitting via a high pressure load?

TIA,

Franchi