I am in the camp that loads for pressures below 8K psi, for my damascus guns. I have recipes that give me all the desirable characteristics I look for that stay around 6K, even below. I can get average velocities of 1190 fps in a 12 ga. Rem. Nitro hull and are way down in the 5K psi range. For the temperatures I use them in, that is fine. Colder climes may find this load very weakened and inconsistent. What works fine in the winter in San Antonio may not be worth a flip in upstate NY.
I feel safe using my damascus guns at pressures of 5-7k psi. Would I feel as comfortable shooting them at 8500 psi? Nope. Didn't say they wouldn't hold up at that pressures, said I wouldn't be as comfortable shooting them at that. My guns, my eyes and hands, so I get to decide. Is this a great country or what?!!!
SRH
