Posted by Drew Hause on March 7, 2014, 12:25 pm, in reply to "Re: damascus barrels"
John: I believe a cascade of complementary evaluation are options based on one’s toleration of uncertainty, and bank account: 1. External visual inspection 2. Internal visual inspection augmented by digital images the length of the bore 3. Chamber length, forcing cone length, and bore measurements for evidence of alteration from the original 4. Wall thickness measurements from breech to muzzle
All of the above can be performed by an experienced doublegun smith
5. Non-destructive Testing (NDT); likely radiography, And finally 6. Proof testing to at least 1 1/2 times the psi of the shooter’s intended load
H.P. White Laboratory, Inc. in Maryland will proof Twist or Damascus barrels for $500 (in 2014) to a pressure of 20,000 psi, or the pressure desired, and will allow the owner to watch the procedure www.hpwhite.com
If you choose to prove your barrels, please let us know how it goes.