A check and flow metering cartridge valve having two flow restriction zones, each zone being disposed adjacent a respective end of a valve chamber containing a check valve member, the zones being serially encountered by flow through the valve, the restriction of the restriction zones together being a majority of the total flow restriction in the valve, each restriction zone producing at least 26% of a total restriction to flow through the valve, the restriction zones maintaining back pressure in the valve chamber when the check valve member is unseated thereby providing damping of the check valve member.