Keeping the %@#$% powder horn plug in!

[flm_shooter]

I have a nice basic plain horn with a wood stopper that just won't stay in. I have donated about 2 pounds of powder to the range gods this year!

I have tried gentle sanding of the plug, and reaming of the horn, but it just doesn't work. I could switch to the brass plug and nozzle with rubber O-ring, but I wonder at the authenticity.

So, what do I need to do to get this sucker to stay in until I need to open?

 

[Dave Poss]

Have you ever noticed how black powder trickling from a horn onto dry leaves sounds JUST like a rattlesnake???

taper your plug and as you put it in the horn, twist it slightly...it will stay put! :thumbsup:

 

[tg]

You can make the plug a bit larger than the hole then cut a thin slice in it and it will act like a spring and stay in place.

 

Heat and smear some bees wax on the plug. Not a lot, just a coating. It helps keep the plug in place (slightly sticky) and also aids in taking up the slight amount of expansion and contraction a stopper might present. Gives you some additional waterproofing too! PC alternative, no one can gripe.
:thumbsup:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Over the years I've found that a soft wood plug seems to work well for me. The softer wood compresses a little when inserted and stays put.

I've tried other things like antler, but found it was so hard it can actually crack the horn when inserted if not perfectly sized. :m2c:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have tried gentle sanding of the plug, and reaming of the horn, but it just doesn't work.

I think I see the problem. The plug is loose and you are REMOVING material to solve that? :crackup:

I once carved an antler plug. Looked beautifly, didn't work for . . . nuttin. A very gradually tapered plug or tapered hole in the horn is the solution. As a stop-gap measure, I have wound thin sinew thread (like a fishing pole whipped wrapping) on the upper half of a loose plug. That works pretty good.

Beeswax will make it grab better, but if it is loose nothing will help. Check in at a music store and ask for a tapered violin peg. Or, just whittle one out of any old 2 X 4 lumber.

 

[2172]

Bees wax works for me. If it doesn't, I've used a small piece of flat toothpick glued to the upper end...about a half inch of it seems to work...Hank

 

[doverdog]

If you have access to a #6 taper pin reamer and the full size violin tuning peg (there are a bunch of different sizes) your problem may be solved. If the hole is not already too big in the end of the horn, use the reamer to cut a taper in the hole and keep checking with the violin peg until it is deep enough to suit you. Put it in and remove it both with a slight twist and you will never lose it. It's pretty much air and water tight, too. If you need to drill the hole bigger, go at it easy so the bit doesn't grab and cause bad things to happen.

 

[musketman]

Use a tapered violin key for a stopper, it can be gently twisted into place for a tight fit...

 

[bdarin]

MM...that's a really cool strap. Did you make that? :: :redthumb:

 

[musketman]

Sadly, no, it's just computer magic to show how the violin key plug would look on a horn...

But I bet I could find someone who will be willing to do this...

 

[bdarin]

No, I meant the strap on the horn. Looks like some kind of woven yarn, or something. Very nice. :: :shocking:

 

[musketman]

No, I didn't make it, but it is cool looking...

 

[jrdavis]

their are a couple of things you can do if you drill a hole through the stopper you can run a short leather strip through the hole put a stopper knot in the end tie the lose end to the hotn or strap then with stopper in the horn pull the loose end tight.
#2 make a new stopper with about 2" of dowel to go in the hole

 

[flm_shooter]

I think I see the problem. The plug is loose and you are REMOVING material to solve that?

You don't understand. I've trimmed it three times and it is STILL too small!
:hmm:

Actually, the existing plug is tapered. I was thinking that tapering the throat of the horn would help.
I'll try the beeswax trick next.

And I think the sound of powder running onto dry leaves sounds more like, "ssssssssssssssssssttttuuuupid".

 

[Stumpkiller]

And I think the sound of powder running onto dry leaves sounds more like, "ssssssssssssssssssttttuuuupid".

Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

The best fitting plug in town don't help if you forget to put it back after reloading. I've managed that any number of times.

 

[musketman]

I myself, would shy away from the wax in the hole theory, the wax could impede the flow of powder and cause powder to stick in the mouth of the horn's nozzle...

:imo: :m2c:

 

[Deadeye]

M'man is right, you don't want anything sticky around your powder. On the other hand if you fill the hole with beeswax
you won't have to worry about the powder running out. ::
TG has the right idea, make your plug slightly oversize and cut a slot length ways and it will always be tight.

 

[graybeard]

Another suggestion: Empty the powder horn, put some superglue on the plug and put it in place and load your firearm from a brass flask in a shoulder holster. Graybeard :m2c:

 

I'd say,,
,,ya need ta "think" about how ya "carry" yer horn. Umm,? here's a tip I learned from an "old guy" a while back,,
"Don't carry yer horn spout down!!"

After hearing that,,I never had a problem with lost plugs nor powder