Powder Horn?

[cody kaiser]

I have reciently aquired a powder horn and the most powder I can put into it is only enough for 6 shots??? (each shot measuring 65 grains) to me that seems not very big holding capacity for the size of the horn! Does anyone have suggestions on what may be wrong and how can I possibly take the horn apart to see what is wrong/redo the powder horn if needed? my powder horn is in this picture!

If this powder horn only holds 6 shots it seems kinda pointless to me? HELP! :bow:

 

[rabjr]

That might be called a "Day horn" which is a smaller horn made for a days hunt. How many shots do you think you'll get off in a days hunt of small game or deer? For most people that horn would serve well...

 

[cody kaiser]

Ya, you got a point there. This horn is very old so I kinda thought that mabey there was some very old powder in it or something that had hardend and caused this. But It probably is a day horn!And do you load the powder through the spout or is there a better way?

 

[MeatStick]

I would pop the back out of it and see if someone may have put something in it. I had one years ago that had a big shaving that would sometime let powder out and other time it wouldn't. Heck someone may have used it as a piggy bank, it could be full of cash.

 

[SgtSchutzen]

Unless there is a removable plug in the big end (does`nt look like it from the pic) you`ll have to fill it from the spout end with a small funnel or something. That`s the way most horns are filled.

 

[lonehunter]

Try taking a wire coat hanger and see if you can touch the plug with it through the spout. you should be able to tell by feel if you are touching the plug or something else.
It could be a very thick horn that does not have that large of a cavity.
Swampy could very well be right, It could just be intended for a day horn.

 

[cody kaiser]

The horn has pins keeping the base plug connected to the horn. Should I hit those pins out to see if there is something in the horn or to possibly make the horn hold more?

 

[SgtSchutzen]

You say it`s an old horn so I would`nt mess with it like that because you might crack it or something. Besides the pins are probably glued in there along with the base and wouldn`t come out anyway. I`d use it as a day horn if I were you. I like the smaller ones better anyway. You can always make or buy a bigger one for when you need more powder and use the one you have for hunting when carrying a big horn is a pain in the butt anyway.
I`d do like Lonehunter says and feel around in it with a piece of wire in case there is something in there. It does kinda look like it should hold more than six shots worth of powder but it also could just be really thick walled with a small cavity. A piece of wire should tell ya.

Mysteries are cool :hmm:

 

[cody kaiser]

Ok Thank you very much for all the suggestions! It is greatly appreciated.
:hatsoff:

 

[ladysmithtrading]

How much does the horn weigh empty?, maybe that this is a very thick horn, looks to be by the spout end, the only thing that could be done if thats the case is to drill out the pins on the base and go at the interior thickness with sanding drums and files to increase interior capacity, let us know what you find out.

 

[rabjr]

Here, don't mess around ruining that horn. Get yourself a horn and make one to your liking. Save that one for something else.
http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/

 

[woodse guy]

These are great people to buy from.

 

[gus13]

whats the outside curve measure out to? (sorry I can't guesstimate by lookining alone!) based on the look of it, either the walls are extremely thick, or its possible some old powder or something got wet and hardened inside the horn, easy way to find out is the wire method mentioned above. if its wall thickness alone then I would suggest leaving it for your personal collection or day hunting.

 

[omarick1948]

My advice,.....I wouldn't bother trying to disassemble that horn. You could run into all sorts of headaches! Make yourself a new one and hang that horn up on the wall for display!

Rick

 

[Rifleman1776]

The horn has pins keeping the base plug connected to the horn. Should I hit those pins out to see if there is something in the horn or to possibly make the horn hold more?

That depends on what the horn means to you and it's value. Personally, as a working horn, IMHO, it is wuthluss. Unless there is antique or sentimental value I would remove the butt plug and take a look.
If it only holds a tiny bit of powder and is heavy, as others have suggested, wall hanger.