Newbie Powder Horn Question

[dlgraley]

Now that my first rifle is on its way, I need advice on which side to carry a horn. I'm right handed. Seems that some prefer right and some prefer left. Anything I should take into account? Thanks.

 

[Billnpatti]

I am of the opinion that there is no "right" way to carry your horn. I am right handed and carry my horn on my left side. It seems easier to handle on that side when I am loading and it is out of the way of the butt of my rifle when I am bringing it to my shoulder. That's my preference. There are right handers who want their horn on the right side on top of their bag. That seems to put it in the way for me...but that's just me.

If I were you, I'd borrow a couple of horns (one right curve and one left curve) and try it on the right for a while and then try it on the left for a while to see which you prefer. Right hand horns and left hand horns have different curves to them so use a left hand curved horn when carrying on the left side and a right hand curve for carrying on the right side so it fits correctly. Once you find which way feels and works best for you, buy the horn with the correct curve and that is the way to carry it. Let others carry it however they wish. :thumbsup:

 

[Len Graves]

My guess is you need to try loading from your pouch and horn (standing on your hind legs)away from the bench. Try hanging your horn on either side and see which is most convenient for you to load.The only other consideration is to obtain a horn that bends with your body. To explain if your horn is on your right the tip should point to the left slightly. and visa versa. this tends to keep the horn from snagging every thing you walk by. some horns have no real bend right or left so you need not concern yourself with this advice. I think it is a personal thing. I am left handed, wear my shooting bag on my left, horn on my right. Some like to hang their horn on their bag straps. Is either right or wrong? I think if it works for you it's right. Now get out there and make some smoke and noise and some holes in the target. You can take this advice or not. I have been shootin ML guns fer 45 yrs., so I am just learnin.

 

[Len Graves]

Billnpatti Didn't mean to step on your reply. I guess we were sendin smoke signals at the same time. I think we said the same basic thing, so one of must be right.

 

[4deer]

I am right handed and I carry both my bag and horn on my left side. It just seems to me like the logical place so that it does not get in the way while I handle the gun. But like the others said try it a few ways and see how you like it.

 

FWIW
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/235054/

 

[David W.]

I shoot right handed and carry my horn on my left for personal preference. The choice is what ever "feels" more comfortable to each individual.

 

[Claude Mathis]

Now that my first rifle is on its way, I need advice on which side to carry a horn. I'm right handed. Seems that some prefer right and some prefer left. Anything I should take into account? Thanks.

Forget wearing anything for a moment. When you pour powder from the horn into your measure, which hand do you hold the horn in?

 

[paulvallandigham]

I am LHed, and I carry both my bag and horn on my left side. I didn't want those straps interfering with mounting the gun to my shoulder. By having the straps go over my right shoulder, my left shoulder is free of these obstacles.

I tried carrying the bag, and horn both ways, BTW. Whatever works for you is "right", not what we think! :shocked2: :idunno:

I do believe that Claude's comment about first determining what hand you use to hold the horn and powder measure when you are pouring a charge is great guidance, on where the horn and bag should be carried for YOU. The goal for most shooters, is to minimize the amount of movement needed to load a gun so as to not spook game you may be hunting. :hmm: :hatsoff:

 

[longcruise]

When I load without a bench or table. IOW, out of the bag, I hold my rifle upright with my left hand (I'm right handed) and keep my horn and bag on the right side near my right hand. As a righty most of the manipulating of the horn, bag contents, measure, patch, ball, etc., are done with the right hand so it just makes sense to keep everything handy to the right side.

 

[David W.]

You did not tell us what your first rifle is. We are all snoopy that way! And please let us know the first time you dry ball. There are clowns here that would LOVE to hear about it. You will then be enrolled into the "Honorable Dry Ball Society". Sorry, no card will be issued, but no dues are tendered, it is a free membership. You will be ranked however, on how many times you do it. 1= Novice, 2= tenderfoot, 3 to 5= warrior, so on and so forth. 10 or more = seasoned pro. :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[dlgraley]

Claude, Never having done this before, I'm inclined to think I'd be holding the horn in my right hand when pouring into the measure. I'm clumsy with the left hand.

Flintlock62, First gun is a Pedersoli 54 cal Rocky Mountain Hawken in Maple.

 

[wildeagle]

For what it's worth, I'm right handed, so I hold the measure in my right hand, and pour from the horn with my left, lower the horn, grasp the barrel w/ my left, empty measure with right. I wear my horn and bag on my left, so like Paul says, it won't interfere with shouldering the gun. But like so many have said try all of the variations to find a method that fits your liking.

 

[MSW]

i agree with the consensus... for what it's worth, i have my horns on the bags (one for each rifle- this is said to keep me out of the bars and strip clubs... wait!! there are bars and strip clubs??! ... but i digress)

the horn is on straps which hold it just below the curve of the bag, which i wear on the right side... this keeps the strap on my left shoulder and the right side clear ... i grab the measure with the left hand, pour the powder with the right, then pour the powder from the measure into the barrel with the left, replacing the plug with the right hand and grabbing a patch and ball after the plug is seated into the horn.

i cone all my barrels, so i can thumb seat the ball and patch, then i grab the ramrod and run the ball down the barrel... i grab the priming flask ( a weebitty one ) and i'm ready to go.

the advice that you should work out what's best for you is well considered, the result and culmination of a collective century or more of experience, and if you don't take it

the evil gremlins will plss in your flash hole.

a believe that a good bit of the fun is working out the little experiments, and that in so doing you will become closer to your gear, more attuned to the essential truths of the simpler and more direct time.

so give all the options a try and work out which one works best for you- you will, by doing so, make good smoke!

 

[OB OBrien]

MSW When you said
"the evil gremlins will plss in your flash hole."
I spit coffee all over my 50 caliber computer.

 

[rancher]

I like to carry my horn on the left side. Since I'm right handed I find it easier to pour the powder from the powder measure with my right...

 

[Ketchakah]

Osayo,
Like Claude said it will depend on which hand you use for your horn.
I carry my horn on the left and my bag on the right.
I have come to this conclusion from many trips to the woods with different carry methods.

Im right handed and dident like having to switch hands with my charger. I would pick up the charger, switch it to my left hand, Pour powder from the horn (on the right) switch the charger back to the right hand and charge the piece.
With it on the left... I pull the charger from my bag (on the right) with my right hand. pick up the horn with the left and fill the charger, Pour the charge with the right hand. Just goes easier for me. Took a bit to get used to but it works.

 

[Shane Carter]

I agree with Billanpatti 100%.

 

[stubshaft]

I am right handed and carry my horn and bag on the right side. When I first started I tried all of the various ways of carrying both. Just ended up pouring with my right hand and charging with my left.

 

[Joel/Calgary]

I'm right handed, with bag and horn or flask on the right. The measure - powder and/or shot - is always in my left hand but how I hold my firelock seems to vary by circumstances. Lately, as often as not, it is in the "gas mask" position, held between my knees, barrel-up, muzzle pointed safely forward, until I need to slap the side to fill the patent-breech chamber (on some), or to apply force with short-starter or rammer.

the advice that you should work out what's best for you is well considered, the result and culmination of a collective century or more of experience, and if you don't take it

the evil gremlins will plss in your flash hole.

Unfortunately, they ain't the only ones to "rain" on the parade. Remember:
Alle kunst ist umsunst wann ein Engle auf dem Zündlock Brunst

Approximately, "All skill is futile, if an angel in the touchhole pisseth!"

Sometimes, it comes down to luck, or maybe Friends in High places.

Regards,
Joel