Leaving a loaded powder horn?

[Black_Feather]

Is it safe to leave your powder horn loaded and hanging on your wall? It’s pyrotechnics if that matters.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I sometimes hang mine up with powder still in it if I'm shooting next day but usually hang it up empty. Can't see it causing an issue I just like my powder sealed up and stored in the bottle.

 

[tenngun]

All mine are loaded. I try to recharge my horn when I get home after my rifle is cleaned I have forgot and found my self at the range with a near empty horn

 

[IanH]

I do, but only because where they hang is on the inside a heavily firewalled vault room. While it may not make much difference if there's a house fire, then again it might if one cooks off next to a rescuer who went in after your kids or whatever your worst-case scenario looks like. It's up to each of us to think about and manage the risk how we think is appropriate.

 

[Edm]

Kept mine loaded for 20 years...
An empty horn is of no use if Indians try to raid my house...

 

[Brokennock]

Refilled and ready to go for the next outhen.
Some also say that having powder in them keeps bugs from eating at them.

 

[duca]

I heard that to Brokennock

 

[Tumbledown]

Loaded horns don't go off like grenades. The horn will fail and split as the powder ignites. If something is setting the horn afire, you have bigger issues in the home anyway.

 

[French Colonial]

Wow, just wow.

The things people dream up to worry about......

 

[waksupi]

I have four loaded ones hanging, and over 35 pounds of smokeless powder in the house. Magazine of black powder in the shop. Explosives signs on both buildings, and local fire department has been advised to just sit back and watch the show it things ever catch fire.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Why not? Large horns were (are?) frequently used as storage horns. Was the plastic of it's day.

 

[HSmithTX]

Verify that your horn is air tight (especially if you bought it vs made it yourself), and keep it fairly full. An air tight horn is every bit as good a storage method as the bottle it comes in.

 

[JeffG]

My horns stay filled or partially filled. Never a problem.

 

[TDM]

Yes, I have 3 horns. One holds 2F, one holds 3F, and the third holds 3F Swiss. They are topped off at the end of the shooting day and hang together full for the next outing. My oldest horn has never been fully emptied in over 40 years.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I wouldn't call it "loaded", however mine are always filled.

 

[SDSmlf]

Is it safe to leave your powder horn loaded and hanging on your wall? It’s pyrotechnics if that matters.

Where do you store your powder today? Near those ever dangerous propane tanks and gasoline containers?

Curious if you call the factory container powder comes in as being ‘loaded’?

 

[BackDraft]

Wow, just wow.

The things people dream up to worry about......

 

[ZUG]

I got a rifle and a horn (with powder in it) above my fireplace mantle - it's been there for more than 35 years. I am not scared of it at all.

 

[Eutycus]

Powder horns loaded completely or with just "some" powder is a good preventive for a little bug that likes to eat on horns and such. Some sort of carpet beetle that many here will attest to. The Sulphur in the powder keeps them away.

 

[Hermit Tim]

Got my first flintlock in about 97. I had a very large horn my wife gifted me so, with the rifle, I bought a couple cans of 4F. Goex, I think. Hung it on the back of the door in my bonus room way back then and still prime out of it sometimes. It has lasted that long because I mostly shoot cap guns but, so far, no explosions, accidents, and the powder is still good. Never really gave it a thought.