What side for convienance?

[riarcher]

Something that I've thought about a lot lately.
I see pictures with bag & horn on same side,, and oposite sides.
Also know some folks attatch their horn to the bag's strap.
Being left handed, I find it convienant to carry the horn on my left and the bag on the right.
Easy enough to grab from the bag when needed, but being LH I just can't seem to use the horn without spilling and or fumbling about with the right hand (plug measure and all).
If bag and horn were both on the left side the horn's straps get fetched up with the things I've attatched/hung from the bag's strap.
What do you folks prefer same or diff. sides?
I'm thinking same is acceptably correct (probably too much TV?) but it seems so danged clumbsy and inconvienant,,,, or am I missing something? :hmm:
For hunting and target it doesn't matter,,,, but for re-enactments is there a "correct" (accepted) way?

 

[2172]

I'm a lefty. Have always carried my horn on the right side, bag on left...tried to attach horn to the bag straps, simply couldn't get it comfortable. If I shoot a lefthanded rifle, it is probably a hair safer to have the horn on the side opposite to the lock...have tried recently to put the horn on the right side with a righthanded lock rifle, but it is awkward...even at the range, I try and load and shoot from horn and bag...Hank

 

[Black Hand]

The "correct way" is the way that works best for you and just ignore the critics. I started off carrying my horn on the right and the bag on the left (I am right-handed). This worked for a while until I started carrying both on the right side. This is easier since the measure is attached to the horn and the bag is easily accessible, and I don't have to switch the gun between hands to get loaded.

I also reduced to an absolute minimum what is attached to the strap. On my horn strap I attached my measure which tucks into my belt or the bag when not in use. My pick & whisk is attached to the bag strap near where it joins to the bag, and live inside my bag. My bullet block is attached to the bag strap at mid-chest where it can be easily placed onto the end of the barrel to re-load (no long strap to deal with). This set-up works well for me.

 

[chipper]

I'm right handed, I like the bag on my right and powder horn attached to my bag. When I run, I carry the rifle in my left hand and the right hand holds the bag/horn from flying around. I've done this many times and found that a horn not attached to the bag seems to flop around, especially on the opposite side. I've tried shortening the strap, then I have problems having to move one's body to pour powder.

What ever you decide, try some of the following...
Bend over... does the horn fall off your shoulder?
Can you load kneeling or laying flat on your back?
Can you run and not have the horn/bag flopping around.
How about throwing a hawk and knife?
The horn and bag should be like part of you body.

Regards

 

When I started out (pre-Mark Baker)I thought it more convenient to carry the bag on the left (I'm right-handed)and horn on the right. It was a common way back then and I have seen period drawings the same--not to mention Fess Parker did it! Mark Baker popularized the right side high carry for both bag and horn, I think. I switched to try it and found it OK. In some cases I don't carry a shoulder bag at all, but rather either a belt pouch or a split pouch through the belt--right side for a right hander. It is up to each one to decide what works best for him/herself. Certainly if you are carrying a haversack as well as bullet bag both sides must be used--your choice which.

 

[brubincam]

right handed,,carry bag and horn on left side,,carry rifle in which ever hand isnt tired,, :v :v :v

 

[cayugad]

post removed

 

[Legionair]

Always carried bag on right with horn just above it. I'm right handed, and it just "seemed right".

Nobody told me right or wrong.... I'd say do what's comfortable.....

Legion

 

[TexiKan]

Being left handed, I find it convienant to carry the horn on my left and the bag on the right.
Easy enough to grab from the bag when needed, but being LH I just can't seem to use the horn without spilling and or fumbling about with the right hand (plug measure and all).

Like you, I carry the horn on the left and the bag on the right, and am left handed, shooting a right handed gun. Seems to work, especially for holding the horn and pouring the powder.

One additional point. When I ordered my powder horn, years ago, I was asked if I wanted a left-handed or right-handed one. What??!! I didn't know the difference at the time. Basically, the left handed horn tip will curve towards your body. Regarding pouring and fumbling--I trust you hold the measure with your lower three fingers and palm. My plug is not attached by a leather strap and I pull and hold it with the thumb and index (first) finger. Once filled, the plug goes back easily without spilling the powder. However, I assume this is not a major concern for you.

Haven't had anyone give me grief on the bag side, etc. so I think you are safe for what works for you!

TexiKan

 

[CrackStock]

I prefer having the bag on the strong side and the horn on the weak side. I find that getting things from the bag and using them is easier from the strong side. I also like to have the powder source as far from the sparks and flash as I can manage. Just seems to make sense to me.

But the simple fact is that you should work with a few methods and see what you can make work for you.

CS

 

[AZ-Robert]

,,,, but for re-enactments is there a "correct" (accepted) way?

My 2d is that this has been a matter of personal preference from the beginning. Whatever works for you is 'correct.'

What do you folks prefer same or diff. sides?

I like both of them on my strong side. I fumble trying to use that horn with my off hand so I keep it on my strong side. Having my bag on the same side lets me reach in there and pull out the patch & ball without having to switch the rifle from hand to hand.

As for putting the powder as far from the ignition as you can get it, I offer this photo for discussion (that's not me, by the way! just using it to illustrate).

When it comes time to put sights on target, I generally end up with the lock (and sparks and flame) over my "off" hip, and not my strong side hip. As shown in this pic, putting the horn on the strong side puts it about as far from the lock as it can get.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Just personal preference to have the bag and horn on the right side. If you've ever re-primed rapidly with the horn on the left side and a right-handed lock you are much more dexterous and have a longer horn strap than I.

My haversack rides on the left side.

 

[riarcher]

What ever you decide, try some of the following...
Bend over... does the horn fall off your shoulder?
Can you load kneeling or laying flat on your back?
Can you run and not have the horn/bag flopping around.
How about throwing a hawk and knife?
The horn and bag should be like part of you body.

Regards

Load kneeling,, Okay, But flat on my back? No & why? :shocked2:

Thanks all for the reply. Guess I'll just remain the way I'll am set for now. Just feels right & comfortable to me (no other reason). :hatsoff:

TexiKan,
L/R hand horn? And they tell me I'm weird! :rotf:
Really, Know what you mean. All I could find were the ones that wrapped around the right side (without getting into tons of $ change). But found me a local that was laying some beef down. Got the horns for free and gave away the "wrong (R) sided" piece.
Question; Does a horn always stay green, or just when new???

Thanks all :thumbsup:

 

Stumpkiller, that is a good point. When I did wear my horn on the left it was when I was mainly shooting percussions, or using a separate priming horn. When I switched to one horn for both load and prime it was 'necessary' to place the horn on the right (for right hand shooter), although I guess it could be done the other way--but awkward. As to keeping sparks away fom your horn--that is also a good thought, but if you keep it plugged while shooting and swung back on the side it is safe. Some folks worry about priming from the main horn being potentially dangerous, however, and as a rule on a crowded firing line I use a small priming horn for safety sake of the folks nearby. If "dumba**" blows up his horn at least I won't take out my neighbor! :winking:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have to agree with you. People here seem to want to use the same rules for both range shooting, and hunting. When you are hunting you have what you carry, and nothing more. At the range, you can have a box of tools, extra parts, powder, ball, lube, patching, etc. Most of us have at least one such box of goodies. And, there is no reason to not use a priming horn. Nothing says you can't use FFFg powder in your priming horn, or FFg powder in it, if that trips your trigger. Mike makes a perfectly logical explanation of safely dealing with concerns about using your larger main powder horn to prime your pan.What you do in the field endangers only you. What you do at the range can endanger other folks. The rules have to be different.

Since I always run a lightly wetted patch with spit down the barrel after each shot at the range, followed by a dry one before putting in the next charge, I am not worried about an accidental ignition, and explosion. I stopped blowing down the muzzle of my barrel to kill any remaining sparks when I thought how bad a habit doing that was teaching my students. Using a patch with spit takes longer, and is a bit of a pain, but I am not teaching kids to point the muzzle of their guns at their bodies, either! Another easy answer to a safety issue.

I found out many years ago that if I could leave that priming horn back at the car, and just prime with my main powder horn, I would likely still have that priming horn when I came out of the woods, dragging a deer!

 

[Jon in MI]

I see a pattern starting, If you prime from the horn it's easier to use from the strong side. I prime with a small primer kept in my bag so I found it better to carry the bag on my strong (left) side and horn on my weak. I tried both on my strong but found the gun kept hitting the horn and making alot of noise.

Jon

 

[riarcher]

Hmmm, you may be onto something here (horn priming or not).
Me being Left handed, shooting a right handed Bess may have something to do with the way things work out for me.

 

[DrTimboone]

Right Handed. I carry my bag on the right cause I need the right handed dexxterity to get what I want from the bag. I carry the horn pretty high on the left so I can pull the stopper with my teeth (helps me not forget to replace it that way)and then pour into my measure in my right hand ready to dump in the bore. I can't hit the bore well when trying to pour from the measure with my left hand but have no problem pouring from the horn into the measure with my left hand. Priming from my horn left handed has worked fine too.... I think the key is just practice, practice to develop what works and then be consistent. Whatever works!!

 

[CrackStock]

Thanks Tim -- I was begining to wonder how I was the only one to make that work.

CS

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Ive always carried the bag on the right, horn on the left.

Flinters sparks fall down. not the place for me horn to be, below the lock.