doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com examining damascus barrels

Its amazing, you mention damascus to people who are knowledgeable about all aspects of shooting and firearms and all the hackneyed nonsense comes pouring forth. I cannot think of any other area in guns with so much myth surround it.

Myths and lies repeated often enough eventually become truths as a result of countless repetitions by countless idiots.

The myths about Damascus barrels being a "time bomb" and "unsafe with any load" will carry long into the future and may in fact, never die.

I love the Myths and lies, they have helped me get a lot of good deals over the years.

From early Sears catalog



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Damascus Mythology and Reality
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LFnSG34k3mBhLEjEgU267wAlIa215MNVQZhIiY62Hx4/edit

Thank you Dam, Gary and drew.

I have a black powder proof Belgian gun (Francotte) that I shoot with nitro loads mostly of my loading. I keep the pressure under about 600 PSI for my loads. Generally 4500-5000.

I had the barrels checked by a good gunsmith, then x-rayed at my friend the physician's office. Then I had the barrels checked by an aircraft mechanic...I've forgotten the coating process.

There were no defects shown in any test so I continue to shoot 7/8 an 1 ounce loads in this 12 bore. It was made in 1891-1892.

Fiocchi makes a trainer load for 12 gauge...7/8 ounce that is according to the factory between 6500-7500 psi (probably less). It may be a good starter load for damascus barrels in otherwise perfect condition.

Little creek, good idea about the fiocchi training load, however i'd guess they are for 2 3/4" chambers, when the chamber of most old guns are 2 1/2". Most 2 1/2" cartridges available are game cartridges and are pretty pokey, i'd not use them unless i knew 100% the gun would be safe with them.

bonny,
An outfit called Peter Dyson used to sell BP shells. I dont know the practicalities of sending them across the water though. If you are looking for 2 1/2" light loads there are many available, I use Eley Impax 1 ounce a lot, not sure of velocity etyc as I am in the Med just now. Eley "First" also have a 1 ounce load in 2 1/2" case and something like 7/8 ounce also. I think Hull Cartridge etc do similiar loads.
I don't know that there are any praqctical advantages to using BP loads in a damascus (BP proofed) gun as opposed to a light load nitro. Main thing for me is to check bore diameter against proof marks and just as important, remaining wall thickness.

Gamebore in the U.K. are the only manufacturer of Black Powder cartridges as far as I know. They only do them in 12 and 20 bore but did a few in 16 bore once. Quite expensive so far earlier to make your own. One thing to watch for with today's so called light one ounce loads is that a lot are made to function through semi autos so have a bit of pressure. If you live in Ireland I thought there was still a Proof House in Dublin that you could consult with. Lagopus.....

Thanks Lagopus, i thought eley did them too. No there is no proof house in ireland, i don't know if there ever was, but seeing as the gun trade here was so small i doubt it.