Carrying a Powder Horn Safely

[SgtErv]

So, as I get more into being historically correct and ditching the powder flask and going with a horn, I started thinking about how the safest way to carry and shoot with it was.

Besides plugging the hole and maybe pulling it back to my rear a bit before shooting, how else might I ensure that a spark doesn't catch somehow?

While I am admittedly prone to overthinking, I have found it's a useful trait for safety.

What do you all think?

 

[Cruzatte]

I've been shooting ML since the early '80s, and have always carried my powder in a horn. Make sure the stopper is secure, and you'll be fine. Sometimes I will shove the horn a bit more behind, but that's for convenience, mostly. The thing I did quit doing however, is carrying my priming horn slung about my shoulder. Again, making sure the stopper is secure, I tuck it into my shot pouch and make sure the flap is covering the entrance to the pouch.

 

[CTShooter]

I put the plug in and carry it slung left side, shoot right handed, so the lock is on the opposite side as well.
Never worried about it

 

[Stumpkiller]

Here is an exhaustive thread on it. very informative.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/235054/

 

[necchi]

:haha:

 

[necchi]

Besides plugging the hole and maybe pulling it back to my rear a bit before shooting, how else might I ensure that a spark doesn't catch somehow?

There's nothing you can do, you will forever have this large dangerous explosive IED hanging from your body waiting to go off at the least provocation.

Think about it, everyone that used a powder horn 150yrs ago is dead! That proves that using a powder horn is fatal!

 

[SgtErv]

Haha ok. Sorta silly question. I am most assuredly an over thinker of the highest (or lowest, depending on how you think of it) order :rotf:

I read someone's cautionary remark about making a horn airtight and it went from there :youcrazy:

I shall put this to rest with thanks to y'all for indulging me :hatsoff:

 

[Shooey]

SgtErv, I rub a little beeswax on the stopper to help it stay in the horn. Glad you're thinking about safety.

 

[smo]

I thought wax made things slicker ? :stir: :stir:

 

[SgtErv]

Good call. Very tight now

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Besides plugging the hole and maybe pulling it back to my rear a bit before shooting, how else might I ensure that a spark doesn't catch somehow?

You might want to remove it if you're going to bend at the waist to tend the fire, and it's on it's own strap. If it slings forward into the flames, that could be bad.
:idunno:

LD

 

[tenngun]

Fire could get through a horn, but sparks from shooting are as harmless to your horn as a flak or can or plastic container.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Make sure the stopper is secure

Perfect advice. And pretty much should end this discussion.
I use a simple whittled stick for my stopper and keep it in my teeth when loading. Cannot forget it when I do that. Soft wood is best as it will wedge firmly in the spout.

 

[SgtErv]

Thanks all. The beeswax did the trick and I'll put it to rest in my mind haha

 

[Vaino]

If it's a "worry" sort of thing for you....don't carry a powder horn...I never did. In lieu of a powder horn I carry waxed powder packets of 3f which are handier and also act as a primer and are weather resistant. Just like to keep things simple.....Fred

 

[Cruzatte]

I use a simple whittled stick for my stopper and keep it in my teeth when loading. Cannot forget it when I do that. Soft wood is best as it will wedge firmly in the spout.

Ha! I thought I was the only one to pull the stopper out of the horn with his teeth! Yeah, you sure won't forget where the darned thing is. :haha:

 

[Katahdin]

Exactly,,be as safe as you can then don't worry ,be happy.You are handling soft lead,some even put it in their mouth,smoke a pipe in some cases,breath in smoke from burnt powder and drink Stump Blower of one kind or another.Sleep on the ground,ticks/chiggers,fleas,eat poorly and sleep in the cold or heat.
Set off an explosion just in front of your head in a rifle designed years ago,that if not taken care of,rust and could explode...If you worry about the horn blowing up,,you lose the fun of shooting ,,so,put the plug in and fire away.If I pulled the stopper with my teeth I'd know where it was,,in my pocket,,, with my teeth.

 

[SgtErv]

Haha!

All good points. I sealed it all up tight and out some on the stopper so it stays on better