Not sure, but I had a hammergun originally proofed as a 12 bore at .729 that had been hogged out to .783 with 10 gauge chambers. It was fairly high quality laminated steel. MWT was about .90 at the forcing cone and .021 out near the chokes. I thought that was fine with low pressure loads. Someone had obviously put some heavy loads through it at some point because there was evidence of riveling. I think the bigger risk is pitting and/or inclusions, but it sounds like you have a pretty clean gun where that is less likely to be an issue. My other damascus guns have had MWT's of 030 and 040. None have given me any issues.
Also, there is that late 1890's proof house test where damascus outperformed early steels so it is all relative to some degree. Drew has a lot of info on that, and I am sure will be along shortly.
Last edited by Dan S. W.; 11/11/23 03:34 PM.
