"Don't shoot damascus barrels" used to be another mantra. If the barrels are pitted, I'd agree, but barrels that in good shape should do just fine with a reasonable load.
'Honed' or back bored barrels get rid of the pits, but certainly do not make the barrels any stronger, just prettier and easier to sell. I have an 1887 W&C Scott hammergun with sewer pipe damascus barrels that I shoot with low pressure shells and feel confident with. When I get ready to sell it, I'll have someone backbore the pitts out and measure the wall thickness so as to quantify a number to assure reliability...Geo
