Help me buy a horn and Bag

[JJB22]

Well folks I think I want a horn and bag, right now I am using my brass flask and old toolbox to tote my junk around. I have a hunting bag but it was for the rifle with the cap thingys. I will give you some info to help me. I am looking for a horn to use at the range, a hunting trip or two a year and (if I can find any) a trail/event shoot. I am a big guy (6'8" and 280) so a large horn would look small on me I would think. I was doing some research on this matter and read that the horn should have the flat side against your body and is side specific. I am a righty and plan to prime with the horn if I can get away with it- my rifle shoots a 3F prime without any problems (45 cal by the way). I am also looking for a possibles bag. I might carry it on the left-- I notice I usually pick up my loading items off of the bench with my left hand and ram with the right. I am not a fancy type of guy so the look is not that important to me, I just don't want a cheap looking bag or one that screams that I bought it yesterday. Ha, Ha, I guess it would be tomorrow--- anyway. I would like to see the horn in the 50- 100 dollar range and the bag in the 50- 125 dollar range if I can swing it. I like cow horn and the simple beaver tail look in the bags out there.

How big of horn? How big of bag. Do I need an adjustable strap bag? What kind of horn strap? I would like to cut my own patches too, so do I hang the sheath from the belt, bag, or around the neck? I don't have the period clothing and probably will not go down that road unless this smoke shooting thing really takes over my life, but I would want to buy things to have the look with my Penn Flinter just in case I get kidnapped by aliens and taken back to the 1770s.

Here is a pic of the rifle too. Ah I guess you get to look at the pee shooter along side too. Thanks for you time in advance. Jim

 

[boar]

I would check the classified adds here. Dilly

 

[flintlock75]

For Store Bought stuff, Track of the Wolf has a good variety of horns and bags with a wide range of prices. There quality is good, but you get what you pay for. I would definatly get a bag with an adjustable strap. I have my horns attached to the bag strap on all of mine. Most have an adjustable strap on them, im 6'-4" and 300lbs. All of my bags and horns are hand made, most by me so i make the straps to fit me. With your hight you may have to make or modify the staps that come with a store bought bag. Good luck with your search.

PS, If you might get involved with a local rondy crowd I would get a bag and pouch that goes with the era of your rifle, that way you wont feel you have to buy a differnt setup in the future.

 

[longcruise]

There are plenty for sale here on this forum and elsewhere, but you might consider making your own.

That way you get just what you want. I'm all thumbs, but even at that was able to make these bags along with the help of a book on the subject. If I can do it anybody can. :haha:

 

[rabjr]

If your handy you can make your own horn but me personally would have one of the Horners on this site make me one as I know I could not do the same job they can.

The bag, check these books out, a little leather and a saddle stitch, you can make your own and it'll mean more that way. Step by step instructions.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(m...tId=1&subId=6&styleId=21&partNum=BOOK-R18-CHP
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(m...catId=4&subId=22&styleId=62&partNum=BOOK-KRHP

 

[longcruise]

Swampy, You may notice the similarity to my first bag pic to the one on the cover of TC's book! :redface:

It was the book I used to learn the basics.

TC Albert frequents this forum and he may have some suggestions also.

 

[BrownBear]

Here's a drill for you. Collect all the stuff you want to carry and put it in a gallon ziploc. Too big or too small. That will pretty well give you the dimensions you want. I'd get the adjustable strap, because you want to experiment a while to find what works best for you. Much as I prefer a horn on my bag, if you're not sure which side you're going to carry it on, maybe it's better to get a horn with its own strap.

I started out with pretty good sized bags, but over time each one I make is getting smaller. I just don't carry as much stuff as I once did, especially on hunts. My current favorite hunting bag is about the size of a quart ziploc, and there's so much extra room in there I usually add a pair of gloves to the bag just to quiet it down.

I'll vote for making your own bag and probably horn someday. Lots of instructions around and especially the bag is easy. Horns are pretty easy to, till you decide to fancy them up. But there's no race to the finish on this stuff. It's kinda neat to just go slow and enjoy the process. There are lots of helpful folks here on the site too, willing to answer questions and give advice as you build.

 

[JJB22]

Thanks for the great ideas, I will try to figure out what I really want to carry in my bag, the ziplock bag thing is a great idea. As for making my own stuff- I am reluctant about it but not opposed to it either. I need to look around a bit more. Do you folks carry more than one horn, a large and a smaller priming horn? I think I will go with a large horn for the long days at the range or on a rondy. Just wondering if it's a pain to prime with a large horn. Thanks again.

 

[Tom Compton]

Hi, Jim. I feel your pain in getting clothing and other accessories to fit (6'5" and 300 lb)

My bag was a prize at a large shooting match and I never thought about another. Luckily it has an adjustable strap done with a now well patina-ed brass buckle so was able to let it out to not ride in my arm pit. It is a bit large but gives me room to put my oversized hands in when loading.

I have a couple of sets of nice schrimshaw twin horns but when actually hunting I carry a single horn (2F) won at a smaller match and a brass priming devise (4F). The horn is attached to the bag strap (right side) so one strap and quick on and off. I usually shift the rig to put the bag and horn more behind my right hip until retreiving something. The priming devise is on a thong around my neck for minimal movement when re priming in damp or wet weather.


If you can find a rendevouz or shooting match to look at what others are doing and talk to them about what they are doing, why and what they would do different.

Cheers,
TC

 

[JJB22]

Thanks so much for your input, I need to find others in the west Georgia area that knows of events and such. I am itching to go hunting again too. I took the last 10 years off because of the move from NY, got married to a zoo keeper (she is lighting up on me about the hunting thing), and the last year I went deer hunting, I barely missed getting shot by two different idiots by the way of shotgun slugs when one shot into movement and the other fool shot at a deer on a rise that I happened to have my special sitting stump located on the other side of that rise to him. It gets better, I was hunting MY 79 acres when both of these events happened. I figure someone above wanted me to retire form the hunting business for a while.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Why buy when it is such a learning experience to make? I prefer to make my own gear.I believe the best part of this game we play is the learning and doing it yourself. But then to each his own.

 

[JJB22]

I see where you are coming from, I work on cars for a living, helped my father build his house, remodeled my home so mechanical and wood working is not a problem for me but,------ I did buy a built rifle--- I just didn't have the confidence to build my first rifle. Now that I have the rifle, I have been thinking hard about building my second (32 cal). If I had a horn and bag, I might attempt to build those too. I like getting my big ol paws on something to see what it is and then the confidence comes. I guess I could do it by a book but I am such a "touch it" kind of fella. Ah-- that sounds bad--you know what I mean. I really need to track down some folks in the West Georgia area that shoot the smoke poles and carry horns and bags. All of the folks I run across are doing what I am; shooting from a box and flasks. As a matter of fact out of the 250 members at my club, I have only see two others that shoot blackpowder. One of whom I posted a topic about a month ago or so-- he was the fella I saw prime the pan-- THEN--- load the main charge. :youcrazy:

 

[poordevil]

Rocky mountian powder horns in CO. make great bags! and good prices

P

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have what would be called a " medium " sized horn for my main powder. Its about 10 inches long around the outer arc. It holds about 3/4 lb. of powder. I too thought I needed a huge horn for shooting all day at the range.

I didn't.

What I needed was a funnel, and a can of powder in my range box. I can refill my powder horn as often as needed at the range or anywhere else.

I fill the horn every time I return home from either hunting or shooting at the range. Its just part of my clean-up and gear checking procedures I have developed and use over the years. Everything is cleaned, oiled when appropriate, and inspected for wear, or worn anything. Leather that is worn or wearing out is either replaced or patched. Wood that is getting bare is given another coat of finish. Horns are filled, and waxed. Guns are clean thoroughly, and the locks are removed, cleaned, checked to see that the screws are not backing out, oiled, and remounted on the gun and checked.

The only thing I want to do before going shooting the next time, is to flush the barrel(s) out with alcohol to get rid of any dried lube, or oil, or wax. I then put a lightly oil-coated cleaning patch down the barrel to lube it to prevent rusting on the way to the range. When I get to the range, or hunting field, a dry cleaning patch down the barrel to remove that thin film of oil is all that is needed to be ready to load and shoot.

It took me lots of trial and ERRORS to figure out this system, and its been working for me for more than 20 years now. Do whatever you wish, but I hope this will save you from some of the " ERRORS" I made, and from which I had to learn.

Big horns weigh alot, and all that weight is around your neck. They are also LONG, and can get into the way of just about everything else you do! As the years go by, I am liking smaller horns more and more..... I would rather have two smaller horns of powder for a long day at the range, than carry one large horn.

You will read posts here about " day horns". These are the smaller horns we use with enough powder to let us hunt whatever all day long, plus a little extra, just because we are all so cautious! How much powder you "NEED" to carry will depend on the caliber of your gun, the daily bag limit for the game you are hunting, and just how good a shot you are. :rotf: :hatsoff:

 

[Ridge]

I really like that bag! :hatsoff:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I can recommend Calico Jack's Trading Post for bags. I have a couple I made from an old Tandy pattern but I like his work better than my own. I was looking for a piece of moose hide and came across his finished moosehide bags for less than I would have spent for a 1/4 hide!

Griz on this site made what is my favorite horn. 13" long and holds over 60 shots for my .54.
http://calicojacks.freehomepage.com/catalog.html

He (Calico Jack/Ted Reese) is in the process of moving to a new house and his stock is low but he will make anything pictured on his site.

Here's one I did for my shotgunning. Went hog wild one cold winter. It is a "Triple D" style with three large and two smaller pockets; the smaller ones for the overpowder and overshot shot cards. Very loosly based on a period painting of a shooting bag.

Also, as a suggestion, instead of lots of pockets in the bag I have come to prefer a tool roll for all the little items. Keeps them organized and from sneaking out as you root around.

 

[dyemaker]

I bought my horns many, many moons ago from October Country. A smaller one for flash powder and also a black horn measure. I put a tiny brass push dispenser on the priming horn.

 

[Tom Compton]

Stumpy, LOVE the idea of a tool or knife roll in the hunting bag! Thanks

Jim, ask the zoo keeper what is fed to the carnivores and omnivores in the zoo. Then point out humans have canine teeth and an appendix for meat. Glad my wife was raised in a hunting home. Our daughter then aged 4 told me not to forget to bring her the backstrap.

Good Luck
TC

 

[MSW]

of making your own. i think that a good part of the fun is the ability to 'do it yourself.' not that there's anything wrong with storebought, but i get a much bigger thrill out of using a tool i've created.

just one guy's opinion.

 

[tg]

You can get a very nice horn.bag setup for a lot less than your budget, check out the vendors and our classifieds making both horn/bag is pretty easy if you have the time, you are on the right track asking the questions rather than blindly throwing money at things you will likely find out don't fit what you are doing. There are lots of ways to go even canvas works most like a bag 7"x8" give or take