Actually, for years and years (at least into the 40s) after Damascus barrels were no longer being marketed; ammo makers did produce black powder loads. I fondly remember an old-timer friend of mine telling me about hunting with BP loads during his youth in the late 30s. He would buy BP shells because they were cheaper (and money was very scarce); and he said they worked fine, unless of course you were trying to hunt on a foggy day!