Been reading and inquiring about how to determine if a damascus barreled shotgun is safe to shoot with BP. Lots of warnings about exploding guns, but mostly of the "I have heard...." variety and probably the result of higher pressure smokeless shells being used. I shot an antique c&b shotgun for several years in the 70s after using the Dixie Gunworks method of testing, you know, the tire and looong string method. Several people have poo-pooed this test, but for us long time muzzleloaders, bad mouthing Turner Kirkland is tantamount to kicking our dogs!!
Any of you gunsmiths have experience with these old shotguns and the actual risks involved in shooting BP in them? The parameters of the pieces in question are: damascus/twist steel barrels; tight lockup; shiney bores with no pits; no dull spots found with the "tap test".
Of course, another option suggested is having barrels lined. If I had a 10 gauge sxs with only fair to good bores, what would it cost to reline to 12 gauge? Anyone know?