How do I clean out a fresh horn?

[rijerolmon]

I have 2 large steer horns with hopes to try making powder horns.I have boiled them but don't see that it accomplished much. The horn did soften some but the core does not seem to change. Any help appreciated. :idunno:

 

[rabjr]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/264390/post/1084467/hl//fromsearch/1/

 

[omarick1948]

Drill a pilot hole in the core and screw-in a large eye-bolt to use as a handle ____ boil horn for about an hour or so, and pull the core out!

Rick

 

[gus13]

hey Rick, just read in the link you said they'd have to dry and cure for a few months for best results? what makes you say that? just curious!
another trick is to cut and drill the horn prior to boiling, this allows better air/water flow through the horn which means the "innards" don't have the hold they would un-drilled
keep us posted! :hatsoff:

 

[rijerolmon]

Thanks much! I believe that I have not boiled them long enough, will try again. Made me recall Grandfather's instructions for kidney pie...."first youve got to boil the **** out of them".

 

[omarick1948]

hey Rick, just read in the link you said they'd have to dry and cure for a few months for best results? what makes you say that? just curious!
another trick is to cut and drill the horn prior to boiling, this allows better air/water flow through the horn which means the "innards" don't have the hold they would un-drilled
keep us posted! :hatsoff:

Dry for a few months refers to fresh removed cowhorns being made directly into a powder horn, not removing the core bone. A green or fresh horn needs time to dry out the moisture before carving and fitting a base plug. It will shrink to some extent!

Rick

 

[rijerolmon]

Thanks for the help, I now have 2 empty horns. I discovered that the core goes all the way to the tip (add more water) and boil for an hour or more. Now to allow them to dry?

 

[ryzman]

Dry for a few months refers to fresh removed cowhorns being made directly into a powder horn, not removing the core bone. A green or fresh horn needs time to dry out the moisture before carving and fitting a base plug. It will shrink to some extent!

Rick

Hey Rick,
Excuse my ignorance but i have a couple horns that have a green blotch right in the middle of the body of the horn... will that fade away and become white like the rest of the horn if i wait several months? thanks

 

[omarick1948]

More than likely, that green color will stay the color of the horn. __ It's the breed of cattle your horn came from and desirable for many makers who want to recreate an original powder horn!

Remember! Not all cows have snowy white and dark tipped horns!

Rick