Reality is many guns with Damascus barrels never saw the first round of black powder shells. Broke in, feed a solid diet of Nitro from day one. If you a just spent the extra bucks for. Damascus barrels and smokeless powder was available ..... Why would you shoot something that fouls up your new gun, gets you hands and clothes dirty, obscures your target with smoke.....it does smell neat. Thanks for the info but do not be surprised if you hear it again..."You better not shoot dem ole demaskas guns....they will blow up on yer..."