A composite billet includes an array of textured-powder bars in a geometry that is compatible with assembly and drawing of a billet with LAR˜1:1. A method is presented of compressing the bars suitable for the billet geometry in an inert gas environment. Methods of drawing of the billet control the deformation of the composite billet during area-reducing draw to fine wire so that the shape and registration of the constituent bars is preserved. Lastly a method is disclosed to fabricate a cable-in-conduit conductor containing the textured-powder Bi-2212/Ag wires that enables robust forming of windings and also provides in-cable containment of a buffer gas flow under high pressure during the high-temperature heat treatment of the winding that is required to produce optimum superconducting performance in the winding.