Confused about Powder Horns

[AZMLII]

I'm relatively new to muzzleloading. I've been pouring powder from the Pyrodex container with a spout into a powder measure.

Pouring from the Pyrodex bottle into the measure is a bit awkward.

I want to get a powder horn, but I'm a bit confused. They come in multiple styles and range in price from less than $20 to over $100.

What are important features of a horn?

Will I have to worry about the powder getting damp from humidity?

Can anyone recommend a horn to complement my T/C Hawken, that would be a good value? I'm thinking in the 1/3 pound capacity range.

Thanks,
Patrick

BTW, I plan on switching to blackpowder as soon as I can pick some up.

 

[MSW]

you can probably get a powder horn for twenty bucks, but it will probably be a made- in- a sweatshop el-cheap-o brand, and it might or might not do what you want.

you can drop some serious money on a horn, but be sure it's what you really want before you do.

or you can get a copy of the book about how to make your own (it's about twenty bucks) from Track of the Wolf. Here's a link (hope this works)
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/76/1/BOOK-R18CPH

they also have a buffalo horn, which i thing would look pretty cool with your Hawken, but it's about a hundred and fifty bucks. http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/76/1/HORN-BUFFALO-2M

good luck on your quest for the coolest gear: remember- it's not an event, it's a process.

Make good smoke!

 

[roundball]

A simple, inexpensive alternative until you get a better feel for what you ultimately want to do is use a brass powder flask. The brass nozzles are interchangeable in different sizes to serve as powder measures.

Just hold your finger tip over the end of the spout, press the spring loaded valve button to let it fill up with powder, release the valve button and then pour the spout full of powder down bore.
(or just fill your own powder measure from the flask)
I have these flasks in range boxes filled with Goex 4F as a convenient re-supply source to refill pan primers after every range session.

They run anywhere from $18-$22 bucks.
Here's one at Kittery up there in Maine. http://www.kitterytradingpost.com/product.php/pid/2/sid/6/tid/34/prodid/10868

 

Just hold your finger tip over the end of the spout, press the spring loaded valve button to let it fill up with powder, release the valve button and then pour the spout full of powder down bore.
(

Gotta disagree with you on that one.
ALWAYS load from a measure.

 

[roundball]

Gotta disagree with you on that one.
ALWAYS load from a measure.

Do whatever you're most comfortable doing.

 

[ChrisHarris]

I don't care about PC/HC, so I'll probably never own a horn. I use the brass flask. I fill it from the BP can. You don't need a spout on the can for filling the flask, but I bought one anyway. Use a powder measure. Fill the flask from the can and then fill the measure from the flask. The flask never gets near the muzzle. :nono:

I like the brass stuff because I can put it in my front jacket pocket when I'm hiking around in the woods. It's got a spring loaded valve, so it won't fill your pocket with powder.

 

[BrownBear]

For hunting I'm a fan of "day" horns, horns so small in fact that some might call them priming horns. My favorite is about the size of half a banana and slightly thicker at the butt. Yet it easily holds a dozen 80-grain charges.

Because I'm in really thick brush, horns on their own straps or hanging from bags constantly tangle. My day horn fits easily inside a bag or a pocket. I have a powder measure on a whang around 12" long attached at the neck.

Could just as well be a brass powder flask, the way I use it. In fact, I have a brass flask I used for many years, but I retired it when I made my own horn.

Lotta different answers here, based on each of our solutions for our own tastes and circumstances. The bottom line is you have to start somewhere, but whatever you choose, you're likely to be doing something different in a few months or a few years as you gain field experience with your own gear in your own terrain. The only good answer is what works for you. If you're even a little bit handy, there's a lot of appeal in making your own. You'll get a lot of satisfaction when it turns out to be better for you than anything you've bought.

 

[roundball]

It's got a spring loaded valve, so it won't fill your pocket with powder.

Exactly.

They are not powder horns which are wide open when the stopper is removed.

But do whatever you're comfortable with.

 

[necchi]

press the spring loaded valve button to let it fill up with powder, release the valve button and then pour the spout full of powder down bore.

Unbelievable!

(or just fill your own powder measure from the flask)

That's the smart move.

 

What are important features of a horn?

If the plugs at each end seal well, it's a well made horn - everything else is strictly for looks and a matter of what you want and like.

Will I have to worry about the powder getting damp from humidity?

No.

 

[TFoley]

Gotta disagree with you on that one.
ALWAYS load from a measure.

Do whatever you're most comfortable doing.

Here in Europe there is NO other way of loading a muzzleloader on a range. Except for a paid re-enactor demonstrating at a heritage centre of similar is is a matter of an instant ban or disqualification on any range to load directly into the muzzle from a 'powder store' item like a horn or similar receptacle that holds more than a single charge of powder.

Of course, you can do whatever you like, but please don't stand near me on any range and load directly from a horn. Those splinters and bits of brass and bone can go a long way...

tac

 

[roundball]

Doesn't surprise me at all...any time there's a group of people all handling things with potential danger if mishandled, the possibility of accidents go up exponentially, and very rigid/extreme rules are often put in place.

To repeat: Do whatever you're most comfortable doing.

 

[David W.]

I'm relatively new to muzzleloading. I've been pouring powder from the Pyrodex container with a spout into a powder measure.

Pouring from the Pyrodex bottle into the measure is a bit awkward.

I want to get a powder horn, but I'm a bit confused. They come in multiple styles and range in price from less than $20 to over $100.

What are important features of a horn?

Will I have to worry about the powder getting damp from humidity?

Can anyone recommend a horn to complement my T/C Hawken, that would be a good value? I'm thinking in the 1/3 pound capacity range.

Thanks,
Patrick

BTW, I plan on switching to blackpowder as soon as I can pick some up.

The most important feature of a powder horn is is shouldn't leak water. IMO

I'm not totally HC/PC myself, but prefer to use a cow horn or a buffalo horn.

Fleabay sometimes has a few horns that are reasonably priced, sometimes not.

It also wouldn't hurt to get a small funnel from a local gun store with reload equipment, or get a Ted Cash funnel.

Carry the horn either attached to your shooting bag, or by a separate strap. Mine is on a separate strap.

Always pour your powder from a measure, NOT a powder horn directly into your barrel. It looks cool in the movies, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[tg]

I feel the need to re-enforce the notion to never load from a horn or flask into a rifle or shot gun always use a seperate measure,you can make your own from antler, bone , wood or even buy a cheap plastic one, static charge is a non issue with BP do not fall prey to that rumour. revolvers may have a different dynamic and applicational consideration there is a seperate thread on this, but please usa a seperat measure to put the powder into the bore even with Pyro dex whixch by the way would be a good thing to put aside and get started with the potential of real bP.Good luck, be safe and enjoy the journey.

 

[crockett]

I agree, while not common there have been incidents where loading directly into the bore on a long rifle or single shot pistol caused a horn to blow up. Of course if it is the first round of the day- that's different. The other point is accuracy. I like to use a measure not only for safety but I think if you pour the powder in the measure and then strike off the top (some measures come with this feature) you get a more uniform charge.
On a range the measure is a good rule because you are no safer than the guy next to you. Who knows what shape his bore is in or how he is loading his charge. A horn or flask that blows up can hurt other folks in the area. I think the only time loading directly from a flask is okay is with a percussion revolver- unless I find out about some mishap.
On the PC of the Flask- as far as the mountain man era Stewart is painted with a flask- so PC.

 

[tg]

Flasks date back pretty far, into at least the 17th century I believe, they just look a bit different than what is offered today. a few books will have a photio of an ld one now and then.

 

[Zonie]

For what it's worth, the cylindrical brass powder flask Roundball shows in his picture is my favorite kind of flask.

It's strong. It's easily filled by unscrewing the bottom cap and there are dozens of Italian made measures that easily screw into place. This makes changing the amount of powder the flask throws very simple. Just screw on the size you want.

I've used one of these for over 10 years without problems of any kind.

As Roundball said, to use it place your finger over the end of the measure, invert the flask so the measure is pointed downward and push the gate lever with your thumb.
Release the gate, turn the flask back upright and you are ready to transfer the measured powder into a measure or some other container.

Then lay down the flask. Pour the measured powder into the bore and load your patched ball/bullet/shot.

Do not pour directly from the flask into the bore.

A powder horn "looks the part" and is better if you are into reenacting but for a simple low cost method of storing and measuring powder these cylindrical flasks are hard to beat.

Oh! About the other fancy metal flasks.
They look neat and they are historically correct for later periods of time but they are made of very thin metal and the metal halves are soldered together.
If you drop one of these on a hard surface it will either be dented or more likely, the soldered seam will break opening up the side of the flask so the powder pours out on the ground.

Don't ask how I know this.

 

[Adui]

For what its worth I have been using one of those refillable ketchup / mustard squeeze bottles that can be had for about two bucks. if you use 2f you might need to trim the top of the spout back, and that will make plugging it a pain, but it would work.

Of course they are plastic, and this is definitely NOT PC / HC, but hey I shoot to shoot not to look the part so I never worried about it. Oh, and I do pour into a measure first, just always have..

 

[lonehunter]

Here ya go, Get a kit to put together and have a horn crafted by your own hand! :v http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/

 

[atki]

Ketchup Bottles are not made of an Anti-Static material. Right day, right weather and you've got a bomb.

WB