Let me clarify a point or two which may not apply to all concerned. The majority of the damascus/twist guns I shoot were made after about 1890 & have heavier breeches than some of the earlier guns I mentioned. Most of these guns were listed by their makers as being suitable for smokeless powder. These guns I shoot with either black or smokeless as my mood dictates. Also I have no qualms about using shells loaded in the 7500/8000 psi range with these guns. Now it is true you can find light load data in the 4-5K psi range in 12ga. These loads will universally be found in the "Target" load section. I have never been a high volume competive shooter. Most of my shooting has always been hunting with some clays for practise, mostly from a "Cow-Pasture" thrower set-up. Those early guns I mentioned may be carried out for an occasional hunt, & as I fire up the "Explorer" the temp indicator above the windshield may be flashing "Freezing". I do not trust Smokeless below about 7.5K under these conditions, black I do. A black powder breech-loading shotgun is quite easy to clean.
