Tell me about powder horns

[Bill Mc]

How do you fill them?

It appears that most must filled from the small end. Is the plug threaded whereas a larger opening is available.

Pardon my lack of knowledge.

 

[bpd303]

I fill mine using a small funnel. The only thing that comes out on the two I have are the plugs.

 

[mooman76]

I fill mine with a small funnel too. I have one that doesn't have a removable plug on the other end so I have to fill from the spout but also with the small funnel.

 

[Billnpatti]

All of my horns have removable plugs in the butt end. I got one that did not have such a plug but I bought a nice brass one at one of the vendors at Friendship. All I had to do was to remove the peg that was on the butt plug and drill a hole of the proper size for the screw-in plug to fit. I used epoxy to fasten it in. Now when I need to fill my horn I just unscrew the metal strap peg and fill my horn. Like others have said, I use a small funnel to fill my horns.

 

[jethro224]

I made my own powder horns and all they have is the plug in the pour end. It's a lot easier to fill them than it seems like it should be. I don't even use a funnel. All I do is grab the horn in my left hand with my thumb and forefinger wrapped tightly around the tip, kinda like an "OK" sign but tighter, and pour the powder in straight from the can in my right hand. I don't even spill any doing it this way.

 

[S.Kenton]

All of my horns are filled from the pour spout. I used an old goex lid, drilled a quarter inch hole in the lid,using a coo responding size brake line epoxied to the hole in the lid.The flange of the brake line is slightly larger than hole in the lid which makes for a perfect place for epoxy.

 

[kopfjaeger]

My two main horns that I use most of the time are screw tip horns. Unscrew the spout end and fill through a bigger hole, then screw the spout end back on. The screw tips makes it a lot easier to fill.

My other horns I just use a small funnel to fill them up.

 

[druid]

Two basic types:

1. Fill through the pour spout. This is probably the most likely HC way of doing it.
2. Removable Finial at the plug end. I do not know the era this became a way to fill powder horns. It is the more easy way [IMO] to fill them especially if you get the larger of the 2 normally available [I've seen them in 2 sizes]. http://www.powderhornsandmore.com/store/c/47-Finials-Pins-and-Staples.aspx

 

[Elnathan]

I use a funnel made from paper - take a scrap of paper, roll it into a cone, tape, and snip the end off to get the proper sized opening. Toss when you are through with it.

 

[necchi]

I use a funnel made from paper - take a scrap of paper, roll it into a cone, tape, and snip the end off to get the proper sized opening. Toss when you are through with it.

:thumbsup:
Or the next time you walk past a water cooler grab a stack of pointy cups
Or next time your waiting for the Doctor in an exam room snag a few of those little pointy plastic things hangin on the wall

 

[Rick Boylan]

I use a funnel made from paper - take a scrap of paper, roll it into a cone, tape, and snip the end off to get the proper sized opening. Toss when you are through with it.

I do it that way too. As long as I have a piece of paper around I have a funnel to fill my horn with. :thumbsup:

 

[Claude Mathis]

I made my own powder horns and all they have is the plug in the pour end. It's a lot easier to fill them than it seems like it should be. I don't even use a funnel. All I do is grab the horn in my left hand with my thumb and forefinger wrapped tightly around the tip, kinda like an "OK" sign but tighter, and pour the powder in straight from the can in my right hand. I don't even spill any doing it this way.

This method works for me as well. It's fast and you don't need an extra "gadget". :thumbsup:

 

[robinsroost]

I made my funnel out of a .243 Winchester shell, cut 1 1/8" from the small end, with a tubing cutter. Later, I found a plastic funnel, (don't tell her), in my wife's kitchen that just fits into the big end of the brass one. Both of my horns are filled from the small end, and this works perfectly. Keep yer powder dry........Robin :wink:

 

[Bill Mc]

Thanks to all. I appreciate it.

I'm considering in making one. Things made by oneself are much more fun to use.

I'm getting a late start on pre 1840 stuff but enjoying trying.

I did make a buckskin shirt, including shooting some of the deer and brain tanning all the hides.

 

[William O.]

If one end is not threaded then either a funnel or the disposable part of the ear exam device; which you can use just like a funnel and doesn't take up hardly any room in your shooting box. Very handy for filling small priming horns too.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Small funnel from the tip..

A piece of paper rolled into a cone works.

 

[teakmtn]

I do the same as Jethro and Claude. Just make a tight circle with your left hand thumb and index finger. Pour directly from the can. Makes a nice tight funnel that you always have with you and does not take up any extra space. Works like a charm. I'd be willing to go out on a limb here and say most folks back in the day probably did not carry a cute little funnel with them nor raid the wife's kitchen gadget drawer. Just saying.

 

[Claude Mathis]

I'd be willing to go out on a limb here and say most folks back in the day probably did not carry a cute little funnel with them nor raid the wife's kitchen gadget drawer. Just saying.

That's always been my feeling. Today, we tend to want a specialized gadget for every little process. Heck, some guys even carry an additional knife just for cutting small pieces of cloth. I think they call it a "patch knife'? I've seen guys at Rendezvous that looked like they were wearing a Batman Utility Belt. :wink:

 

[FishDFly]

We were in Phoenix on Trader's Row and the wife started laughing and laughing, she pointed to a guy in his period clothing carrying a rifle with a "blue tooth" in his ear.

 

[jethro224]

Well, I have been known to have up to 4 knives on me at the same time. :idunno: I like knives.
'Course, I've also been known to use my 9 1/2 inch blade belt knife to cut my patches at the muzzle... even when there's a small patch knife on me. Some folks give ya funny looks.

Anyone that has never tried the hand-funnel technique should give it a whirl. You'll be amazed at how simple and easy it really is to fill your horn. Quit over-thinkin' it.