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Powder Horn

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Joined
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I've been kind of searching the internet for a decent usable powder horn. Prices and reviews seem to up and down. Wondering what members here use or could recommend. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
 
Well, the basic purpose of one is to carry powder and keep the powder dry. Beyond that you are paying for different levels of art. Carving, engrailing, scrim, the butt end wood and turning.
I have made many fancy ones and if you just want a basic horn that's cool too. My go to horn in deer season is a plain Jane. I don't want to screw up my artwork out in the brush. I'll beat up a cheap one.
2 things to consider. Unless you are going into the brush for an extended period of time, any horn that holds a half pound is plenty. Deer hunting is one shot. Perhaps two. Not 140.
Second thing, if you can put your hands on one before you buy it, pull the stopper out and blow into it. If the air is blowing out around the butt plug put it back. I wouldn't trust that one in the rain.
 
If you are looking to make your first one, search for cow horn on the auction sites. Get fittins from Track of the Wolf or Dixie Gun Works.
Or, place a "wanted" ad on this forum.
 
If you are looking to make your first one, search for cow horn on the auction sites. Get fittins from Track of the Wolf or Dixie Gun Works.
Or, place a "wanted" ad on this forum.
Horner75 is a great horn maker here. Has not been real active of late on the forum. He highly recommends powderhornsandmore.com if i can recall the website correctly. Great website on kits, horns, finished horns etc....
 
I bought a "cheapo" horn at a gun show many years ago. Which I rebuilt. It's cheap and plain jane but serves it's purpose. I feel just from what has been taught on this forum I could put another one together (or two). Granted it would be no work of art but functional. I'm no craftsman.
 
If you look carefully ,ebay has some nice ones super cheap, I got a great old original homemade one for about 10 bucks
 
I've been kind of searching the internet for a decent usable powder horn. Prices and reviews seem to up and down. Wondering what members here use or could recommend. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
I'd say the best way is to attend an event where there will be some offered for sale. A little late in the year for this hunting season, but you could do with whatever you're using now, and then get a proper one come Spring.

IF you can't get to such an event, then find somebody who can do so for you..., it's a lot better to have a person send you cell phone photos with some perspective on size and such, then trying to find one online. The reason being, the ones online tend to be the "top" of that horner's art. You don't see as many plain, serviceable horns online, I find, as you do some real works of art...even some of the "simple" ones are more than basic, and the price reflects that. All of my horns have been bought in person, mostly at events, as I can see how big they are, how well made when it comes to finish and more importantly, weatherproofing, and they are plain so don't cost that much.


LD
 
Thanks all, I convinced that seeing & handling a horn is probably the best way to go. I watched a fellow make a powder horn on a video, didn't seem too complicated, it's just getting all the things you need for the project.
 
you tube and book then go for it.Not that difficult,my first horn was out of money and need.If you just want a working horn go for it,can't mess it up,fancy comes along but she doesn't lead the parade.You will get a few dog toys along the way ,,not to worry just keep at it.
 
I am making one. I think its coming along to suit me. I dont as of yet have any mechanicals which will work. Using hand tools only, but it takes some time.
 
If interested in making a powder horn you cannot go wrong by getting your hands on a copy of Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn, by Scott and Cathy Sibley. There are lots of clear step by step illustrations with easy to understand commentary.
 
Crazycrow.com has 4 different horn kits at pretty good prices. You could start there. They also have some bag kits. I bought a finished bag for $70 that is pretty nice. Not fancy but well made.
 
This horn was a Christmas gift to me from my son who ordered it from Crazycrow.

I don't think I did too great of a job of building it but it was the first powder horn I have ever built. Building it was fairly easy and all in all, I'm happy with it.
POWDER-HORN-002WEB.jpg
 
I've been kind of searching the internet for a decent usable powder horn. Prices and reviews seem to up and down. Wondering what members here use or could recommend. Thanks in advance for any ideas.
Look at the catalog from Crazy Crow. They sell horns from cow and buffalo, made into complete horns or with all of the parts to make your own.
 
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