Plunger type horn spout question

[Erzulis boat]

My current Horns use the classic "fiddle peg" stoppers, but I am looking for something else-

I have a question regarding the reliability, and ease of use with those side plunger (cylindrical with spring) that TOTW sells. The kind that allows flow with just a press of the plunger.

Do they get "caught up" with the BP grains, or do they really flow easily and without any fuss?

I am going to make a squirrel rifle horn, and want something easy and quick, the wooden stopper ones I have now work fine, but the apparent security and rapid use of a mechanical spout has me interested.

Thanks-

 

Erzulis,
The spout you refer to is probably as reliable as most and the best part is that you won't lose your stopper. However, stoppers grow on every tree. I think they look out of place on a horn, especially a smaller horn like you would want for a "squirrel" rifle. Just my 2 cents.
Mark

 

[SgtSchutzen]

I have them on the two horns I most often use and love them. They sure make the job of filling your powder measure quicker and easier.
Some will say that unless routinely cleaned they will "crud up" and leak powder creating a safety hazard, I have never had this happen myself. I did however lose a traditional wooden plug once while hunting.
The wooden plugs are probably more period correct, but in my opinion the valves are way more practical for actual working horns and don`t look bad either.

 

[roundball]

And if someone might be undecided about using the valve spout on a horn, powder flasks with different size interchangeable valve spouts are also available.

 

[necchi]

I use'm,, they're nice.

Ya gotta cut back the horn tip so the larger diameter plug fits, and open the hole properly.

Only trouble I've ever had was getting caught in heavy rain once, real down pour. A little moisture got in there (well it got EVERYWHERE) and we didin't use the horns for another few weeks, powder got caked up in there. Cleaned out the chunks by the valve and all was well again.

Just that one time in 10yrs, I have that valve on three horns,,work good. I guess I switched too the valve when I was standing on the line and another feller came up and caught my horn for me,, I had lost plug (dropped out) and I lost about a 1/2 pound of Swiss before he caught it.
$$ :redface:

 

[Rifleman1776]

One of the great rules of life is: the prettier your stopper plug, the quicker you will lose it. :grin:
I have lost several in the past, including an ebony fiddle peg type that came with a presentation grade rifle.
Finally, I got (sorta) smart. Plugs used for my hunting and ronny horns have a simple whittled plug kinda flattened on two sides. I pull it with my teeth. And, not surprisingly, I never forget to replace it when done. :wink: Works for me.

 

[mazo kid]

One of the great rules of life is: the prettier your stopper plug, the quicker you will lose it. :grin:
I have lost several in the past, including an ebony fiddle peg type that came with a presentation grade rifle.
Finally, I got (sorta) smart. Plugs used for my hunting and ronny horns have a simple whittled plug kinda flattened on two sides. I pull it with my teeth. And, not surprisingly, I never forget to replace it when done. :wink: Works for me.

Seems it happens to me on woods walks when the action picks up some. Great idea about pulling the plug with your teeth.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I find my brass plunger valve works well with FFF but not so well with FF. For my smoothbores/shotguns , which use FF I use a wooden stopper that is tied with a cord to the horn for when I drop it!

 

[William O.]

They work just fine and help you load maybe a bit quicker.

 

[mazo kid]

Here are 3 originals that I have in my collection, so they were made commercially. I don't, however, know the time frame of these.