[Alex Johnson]

I have shot a number of damascus guns in my collection with BP loads (and not light ones), but I wouldn't recommend that to anyone else.

I remember reading an article in the Double Gun Journal where they subjected several vintage damascus shotguns to torture testing with extremely heavy smokeless loads with no failures until the very end where the loads that were used approached (or surpassed) standard proof loadsZaf, these guns were not in great condition either, but were made by reputable companies. All it really proved was that those particular guns could take the loads, but no should make the assumption that another gun could do the same. I think that decision really needs to be left up to the individual who plans on shooting the gun.