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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 447
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 447 |
What do I need to be aware of when shooting damascus barrels on an old gun (that has not been nitro proofed)? Just sticking with 2.5" vintager loads is what I need to do? Only lead shot?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
I wouldn't shoot factory ammo at all regardless of stated dram equivalent. If you don't already have one invest in a reloading press and reload low pressure shells. That way you'll know the exact chamber pressures you're putting through the barrels.
No steel at all but you can reload bismuth or tungsten matrix if you can find it at a decent price.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 623 Likes: 44
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 623 Likes: 44 |
RST makes great low pressure ammo and if you call them they will gladly tell you the pressure ratings of their ammunition.
A friendly suggestion. Before you buy the ammo have a competent gunsmith that knows damascus barrels look your gun over for safety purposes. Then buy some ammo & enjoy the daylights out of it with the RST's
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,022 Likes: 1824
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,022 Likes: 1824 |
I wouldn't shoot factory ammo at all regardless of stated dram equivalent. If you don't already have one invest in a reloading press and reload low pressure shells. That way you'll know the exact chamber pressures you're putting through the barrels.
No steel at all but you can reload bismuth or tungsten matrix if you can find it at a decent price. He will not know the "exact pressures" with reloads any more than he will factory loaded shells, unless he sends a sample of them both to Tom Armbrust for testing. Reloading manual's pressures are only a guide, IMO. SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,247 Likes: 163
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,247 Likes: 163 |
Firstly, you should at least know the bore diameter of your barrels to ensure they have not been honed out at some time in the past. Secondly, you should know the barrel wall thickness to indicate if it is safe to shoot, or not. Just using low pressure ammo is not always just the answer. Not every gunsmith has the tools to do this.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,021 |
A reloading manual is a better guide for chamber pressure. A factory has no idea what action you are using so they load their rounds up into pressures that will cycle any action. Check your barrels for safety and buy a reloading press.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 476 Likes: 76
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 476 Likes: 76 |
Three "factories" in the US load low pressure cartridges that I have shot or would shoot in my three Damascus barreled guns without hesitation - RST, Polywad Vintagers and New Era. All three are true low pressure cartridges and are appropriate for use in Damascus barrels that are in shootable condition. They are loaded specifically for our old guns, not modern semi-autos. Discuss the condition of your barrels with a gunsmith knowledgable about Damascus barrels.
As a practical matter I prefer reloading my own low pressure cartridges and have sent each of my recipes to Tom Armbrust for pressure and velocity testing.
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,698 Likes: 46
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,698 Likes: 46 |
Do not shoot ANY gun unless you are confident that it is in sound mechanical condition. PREFERABLY checked by a COMPETENT Gunsmith
Whilst at a shoot today a gentleman regaled me with a story of how he bought a Thomas Bland for 14.
It had 34" barrels which he thought were far too long so he kept sawing an inch off and trying it until he found it handled to his liking, eventually ending up with 24" barrels. "Boy it were a reet gud shooter then" he said "Me and my mate found it difficult to miss" He then revealed that he sold it for 50 as a wall hanger in a Pub. "As I noticed it used to flex a bit in my hand when I shot it, so I guessed it must have been a bit thin"
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