You would be hard pressed to get a better grade of Damascus than Bernard. It still all comes done to wall thickness and proper ammunition.

Sherman Bell, last year, had an article in the DGJ where he ran a series of loads through some low grade twist barrels. They did just fine. It is easy enough to find period literature that eschews laminated / twist barrels.

To each their own.

Pete

http://www.damascus-barrels.com/Movie.html