Powder Horn vs Flask

[vito1994]

I'am a newbie to BP rifles but I jumped into it w right up to the adam's apple. Two new Flintlocks, a .54 GPR and a Traditions Pennslyvannia. Couldn't decide which one I liked better, so why not both. All the supplies, getting a box or two a week and continuing to spend money like a madman.

I'am not so concerned about being period correct at this point, just asking opinions about using a Horn vs Flask. Have flasks for my pistols, so I bought a Souve rifle flask with the GPR, lots of powder and seems a bit more safer than a horn. I ordered a horn, but had problems with the vendor and ended up cancelling the order. Kind of glad I did, since then I have seen some much better examples of horns than the one I selected. Don't see much in the websight about flasks. Do many shooters use them? When? Range/Hunting? Carrying power to refill horns?

Appreciate some comments.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Norskie]

Steve,
I think a lot of us like horns because we can make them. Flasks are trickier to make.
Personally I prefer a horn because it hangs so nice above my shooting bag. Flasks were often kept in the bag, so not as handy.
When shooting target I prefer 'shoot from the bag' competitions because they allow me to practice what I'll be doing in the field. Horn, powder measure, ball, patch. It all needs repetion to make it go smooth and in order!

 

[Stumpkiller]

Flasks are kind of a before and after for flintlocks, but fit in with percussion guns nicely. Especially with percussion shotguns. There are large ones that can be worn on straps, but they tend to be noisy, clunky things in the field (easy to dent, and will mar the gun if the head, spout or valve flange hits it).

 

[rschissler]

I shoot my flintlock at a regulated range, and I wear a powderhorn for looks, but use small flasks for the priming and loading. To me it feels safer and more efficient.

 

[Harddog]

I think that those who think a flask in inherently safer than a powder are laboring under a false asumption. A properly made powder horn is safer than any flask if and when they both are used correctly.

Once the spout plug is replaced into the spout of a powder horn there is not much danger of the horn exploding if hit by a spark. However, if you hang a large flask on a strap over your shoulder, there is always the chance of some powder residue remaining in the spout tube that could be ignited by an errant spark.

Randy Hedden

 

:thumbsup: Randy: Right on. I have seen a flask or two blow in my time,even loose spilled powder in a shooting bag when the sooter leaves the flap up, thats a real attention getter, if you had a flask in there too !!!!!

 

[CARBABY]

I like to use a flask and have several. Also have several horns. I find that when loading a Cap and Ball revolver- that the use of a flask greatly speeds up the loading. I have attended shooting events where one was not aloud to pour powder directly down a barrel from a flask (or basic open end of a powder horn./or attached measuring assembly on a horn). I would pour the powder from the flask spout, (already measured) into another measuring device and pour into the barrel. The advantage of a flask IMHO is having a measured amount of powder readily available with just one hand. If using a horn, that does not have a measuring devise on the end, then one has to hold the measure while pouring from the horn. For those that shake like a leaf - perhaps the flask measuring device helps the waste of powder being sprinkled to the ground. I have seen some shooter’s question whether they have double powder charged a load. Usually cased by some one else distracting them”¦. Loading from a flask (set-charge) to another measuring device seems to some how not cause the frequency of error that the other loading technique can. {That’s probably an open end debate} Most of my horns do not have a fancy assembly on the end for measuring powder. They are used more when trying to play the period correct persona thing. My flasks all have a measuring device on the end”¦. There are flasks that have an open end on them like a basic powder horn does, so that could be sixes added to a debate. The great concern on flask usage seems to be the possibility of Pouring a charge in the barrel and an ember igniting and transferring up the spout to more powder. Same thing can happen with a horn with a charge assembly. Practice of some simple safety techniques eliminate possibility of the big bag. Enough of this for now. Use your flask an enjoy.

 

[bthurmon]

To back up DEATHWIND, it's all about safety. I would never pour directly into the barrel from either a horn or a flask. Use either a powder measure, or make pre-measured cartridges. For rifles, I think horns are the way to go. They carry all the powder you'll need, they're reliable, traditional, and look cool. I only use flasks for revolvers, because they're more designed for them, and I can more easily see that there's nothing smoldering inside the cylinder, making sure that its safe to reload. But they did make flasks for rifles, so it would depend on your personal tastes and image you want to portray, if wanting to portray any. But other than that, enjoy what you are doing, and helping keep our past alive. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Deadeye]

I have scrimshawed horns for all my bags and guns
that look great and are good for hunting but for shooting matches ,which I do a lot ,I use flasks.
They are leather covered and hang around my neck, they have a measure that fits snugly over the spout (my own design), when the lever is pushed the measure is filled, it's then pulled off the flask and poured down the barrel then replaced on the flask. I have small ones for my pistols, medium ones for rifles and large ones for shotguns. I always shoot from the pouch and offhand. No bench or big shooting box,
everything on your body. Works for me.