I am in the process of making a powder horn and am trying to make a decision on the length. So what I am asking how much powder do you put in you horn. I was thinking a 1/2 pound but the way it is right now it will hold a pound. I want it to be convenient to carry with out really noticing it.
Powder Horn
- Thread starter George C
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Mine probably hold 3/4# if I stuff it full but I don't like it completely full so I usually have 1/2# or less.
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Well, no one said that you have to carry a full horn but perhaps we should think from a different perspective - How many (how much weight) lead balls do you want to carry around? No need for more powder than the amount needed for the amount of lead that is desired/comfortable.
Brokennock
Cannon
I don't make horns so I don't know the process. Would it be possible to finish the tip end, leaving the back end unfinished and open, then, after figuring out how much powder you want to carry, fill the horn with that much comparable material (I use corn cob tumbler media when making powder measures) and mark where it comes to, then cut it off and finish it?
My two favorite hunting horns hold about 3/4 lb. Enough for about 60 shots.
More than I need, but well balanced with the shooting bag.
More than I need, but well balanced with the shooting bag.
Thanks for the info I have decided on 5/8 pound that will be more than enough for the amount of lead I will carry. I was thinking 50 balls for when I squirrel hunt I might have a lot of misses. If so the squirrel is the winner. I am not trying to duplicate the originals I am just trying to make something useful for myself when I hunt with the black powder rifle. I have it 2/3rd's the way completed and was trying to find a good compromise in size. It is not actually a horn. It is a gray 2" electrical PVC I am fashioning the ends out of cedar wood, the flat in is done just need to make the spout now.
Better a little big than too small. You don't have to fill it up all they way. Just fill it to your liking.
It will hold 4375 grains of Goex fffg powder that is enough for 62 shots. I will not carry that many balls. It is finished with the exception of how I am going to fill it. I am thinking about tapping it for 1/2 NC threads and screw a half inch bolt in the bottom.
These are a nice touch;
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/81/1
Because of an early experience of personal carelessness and loosing a plug and emptying a horn while carrying,,
I now use the valve set-up (page 2 of link) on all my horns,, I can simply unscrew the spout and screw in a funnel to fill
Because of an early experience of personal carelessness and loosing a plug and emptying a horn while carrying,,
I now use the valve set-up (page 2 of link) on all my horns,, I can simply unscrew the spout and screw in a funnel to fill
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(emphasis added)necchi said:
I feel your pain ... don't ask me how i know :redface: :redface: :cursing: :redface: :redface:
then, while chatting with the guy at the local violin repair shop (i needed new strings), i asked him how it was that the pegs to my violin fit so nicely and my peg to my powder horn embarrassed me so completely... he asked to see the horn, shone a light into it and said, "here - let's try this." then he went into the back (where all the really cool toolage is hidden from the public and only the cool guys get to even peek inside) and he came out with a special reamer. it is designed and angled specifically for fiddle pegs. here's a link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Violin-Vi...482913&hash=item2cacb30a79:g:buAAAOSwYDhZlrcX
you can also get a shaver, which will shave the peg, so that you can exactly match the angle of the peg to the angle of the hole. (this would work for non- violin pegs ... little cute wooden gadgets turned on one's lathe) don't get too enthusiastic with the reamer - you'll make the hole too big and the peg won't bottom out any more... almost made this mistake myself the first time.
after using this trick, i have yet to lose a peg. Also, you may want to put a bit of string from the stopper/peg to the horn ... there are two schools of thought on this matter: one says that if the peg is loose (unsecured with string), you are forced to put it back in the horn and make sure that it is secured, because it's taking up space in your hand, and you'll need that hand for the next step in the loading process... the other side has it that the peg will eventually come loose, and that anything not tied down is forever forfeit to the woods. I do rig my horns so that the spout is pointed up, so when i do (note: not "if" but "when") i may still have some powder left.
good luck with your project, and
Make Good Smoke!
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hotoSmile:
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Been using the reamer too. Good tool, a must have.
My thoughts on the original question bring me here- For me, anyway, its not how much powder that dictates where to cut the horn at either end. Its the symmetry of the horn that comes first. You don't want to end up with a fat little chunk horn because you tried to pack a pound into it. The shape and lines of the raw horn should have a natural flow to it as it bends and twists that speaks to you. If you leave or take too much from either end you will see that mistake forever. If this means ending up with a horn too large for your purpose you need a different horn to begin with. I keep a dozen raw horns around here, reaching for just the right one (I hope) when needed for finishing.
I'd make it as graceful as you feel you can and worry about what it can hold second. Make it to fit how you are going to carry it. I've gone off for an afternoon shoot with a third of a pound in a horn that holds much more, and never ran out. But the horn tucks up against my left side and bends to my bloated shadow perfectly. No need to reach for a smaller horn. :2
My thoughts on the original question bring me here- For me, anyway, its not how much powder that dictates where to cut the horn at either end. Its the symmetry of the horn that comes first. You don't want to end up with a fat little chunk horn because you tried to pack a pound into it. The shape and lines of the raw horn should have a natural flow to it as it bends and twists that speaks to you. If you leave or take too much from either end you will see that mistake forever. If this means ending up with a horn too large for your purpose you need a different horn to begin with. I keep a dozen raw horns around here, reaching for just the right one (I hope) when needed for finishing.
I'd make it as graceful as you feel you can and worry about what it can hold second. Make it to fit how you are going to carry it. I've gone off for an afternoon shoot with a third of a pound in a horn that holds much more, and never ran out. But the horn tucks up against my left side and bends to my bloated shadow perfectly. No need to reach for a smaller horn. :2
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Ames, you're right - i did sort of lose track of the original question.
I agree that you shouldn't let the quantity of powder 'drive the train' as regards the final shape or dimensions of the horn. It's been my experience that the horn will pretty much tell you where you should cut, and where you should file.
I also use much less of the capacity of the horn on a day's shoot, but i don't have a problem walking around with a half full horn. It's like, what, someone's gonna check? If your horn's not full, they put that on your permanent record, or send you to the Principal's office?
(i already have 'does not work and play well with others' in big red letters on my file anyway...)
I agree that you shouldn't let the quantity of powder 'drive the train' as regards the final shape or dimensions of the horn. It's been my experience that the horn will pretty much tell you where you should cut, and where you should file.
I also use much less of the capacity of the horn on a day's shoot, but i don't have a problem walking around with a half full horn. It's like, what, someone's gonna check? If your horn's not full, they put that on your permanent record, or send you to the Principal's office?
(i already have 'does not work and play well with others' in big red letters on my file anyway...)
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:grin: :grin: :grin: Crackin me up.
My philosophy on plugs has changed from early on in this game. I liked fancy. But, they do have a t endancy to get lost, or worse. A very hard wood, like mesquite, Osage Orange or even antler is a bad choice. Such hard plugs can split the horn if shoved in with too much force. And that happens because they do not have much friction to stick and come out easily. Plus they can get dropped and lost in the woods. DAMHIK :redface: For many years now, my plugs are simply whittled little branches picked up in the woods. They stay and to pull them for reloading I just grab with my teeth and hold there. Guarantee, they don't get lost doing that. :grin: Works for me.
That makes sense to me.
I think the chance of a plug getting lost is directly proportional to its appearance.
If it just a butt ugly twig with a look that would get a big fat 0 in a beauty contest the chance of losing it would be about 0.
If it is a delicately carved and polished work of art made from an exotic hardwood, that would get a 10 in a beauty contest, it will fall out and get lost before you get 50 yards into the woods.
I think the chance of a plug getting lost is directly proportional to its appearance.
If it just a butt ugly twig with a look that would get a big fat 0 in a beauty contest the chance of losing it would be about 0.
If it is a delicately carved and polished work of art made from an exotic hardwood, that would get a 10 in a beauty contest, it will fall out and get lost before you get 50 yards into the woods.
