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8 members (Bill Palmer, SKB, Ken Nelson, Ted Schefelbein, LGF, 1 invisible),
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,088 Likes: 82
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,088 Likes: 82 |
I think all damascus barrels with minimum wall thickness of less than .040 are extremely dangerous and should be left to those who collect them as non-firing relics. And since they are so useless they are terribly overpriced. It is common knowledge that when they were built they were full of flaws and over the past century or so the metal has deteoriated and weakened further. They're nothing but time bombs waiting to remove useful parts of your body.  I do not agree with the .040 minimum on all Damascus guns in order to be shootable. I believe the decision on shootable Damascus is both thickness and bore condition. If relatively unpitted and clean (not honed enlarged) and .030 or better it is shootable and I would be ok with less given the quality of the barrels and condition (this is rare) On Fluid steel I use the same rule of thumb and go with .025 as the minimum. I have shot thinner without issue, but did not feel comfortable. Note on minimum thickness barrels I always stay with low pressure loads (which I define as Sub 8,000lbs PSI) on then 12 gauge Damascus I use sub 6000 PSI 1 oz loads) In the end shooting old guns is in reality a gamble which one contols the odds some with good judgment, but not completely in terms of what you are willing to shoot and how far one is willing to push it. Disgression is key.
Michael Dittamo
Topeka, KS
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 87
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 87 |
I think all damascus barrels with minimum wall thickness of less than .040 are extremely dangerous and should be left to those who collect them as non-firing relics. And since they are so useless they are terribly overpriced. It is common knowledge that when they were built they were full of flaws and over the past century or so the metal has deteoriated and weakened further. They're nothing but time bombs waiting to remove useful parts of your body. I do not agree with the .040 minimum on all Damascus guns in order to be shootable. I believe the decision on shootable Damascus is both thickness and bore condition. If relatively unpitted and clean (not honed enlarged) and .030 or better it is shootable and I would be ok with less given the quality of the barrels and condition (this is rare) On Fluid steel I use the same rule of thumb and go with .025 as the minimum. I have shot thinner without issue, but did not feel comfortable. Note on minimum thickness barrels I always stay with low pressure loads (which I define as Sub 8,000lbs PSI) on then 12 gauge Damascus I use sub 6000 PSI 1 oz loads) In the end shooting old guns is in reality a gamble which one contols the odds some with good judgment, but not completely in terms of what you are willing to shoot and how far one is willing to push it. Disgression is key. I do not think Mr Wood's .040, et seq, comment is meant to be taken literally. It seems to me to be a disparagement of damascus barrels so that others would not buy them, leaving the field open for him to snap them up, but presented in a jocular manner, so we would know he was not serious. Of course, I could be wrong. Will re-examine this in the morning, when I am sober.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,135 Likes: 870
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,135 Likes: 870 |
I find it scandalous that some would ask for guys to send those nasty dangerous unshootable Damascus doubles to them without fair compensation. #2 prepared scrap steel is going for $285.00 per ton now. That works out to 14.25 cents per pound. Thus, a 7 pound Damascus gun would be worth 99.75 cents. This ignores the fact that there is a couple pounds of relatively worthless English walnut in said gun. I personally would pay one full dollar, and waive any hazmat fees. You're welcome!
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Don't forget when we are talking of minimum thickness here we are primarily speaking of the thickness in the forward third of the bbl. Max Chamber pressure plays a very small role in what the pressure in the bbl is down there. "IF" one fires two different 1oz loads having equal velocities, one giving 6k- pressure & the other 8K+ then after about the 3" point in the bbl is reached the load having the higher pressure will now have the lowest.
Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,974 Likes: 108
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,974 Likes: 108 |
Well said, Miller. That's a very important ballistic fact that's usually overlooked in our quest for low pressure loads. It bears repeating, so: "IF" one fires two different 1oz loads having equal velocities, one giving 6k- pressure & the other 8K+ then after about the 3" point in the bbl is reached the load having the higher pressure will now have the lowest.
John McCain is my war hero.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 820 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 820 Likes: 1 |
Joe
I hope you are wrong.I have shot the snot out of two damascus guns with no trouble.I am not sure of the thickness somewhere around .25 and .30. Mainly black powder but sone lite 7/8 oz nitro..
My gunsmith said they are fine just be careful of denting.
monty
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,065 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,065 Likes: 1 |
Monty I think Joe was "speaking" with "tongue in cheek".
Last edited by AmarilloMike; 07/10/13 02:14 PM.
I am glad to be here.
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