Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

I prefer a flask right now because I have one that was given to me that is wrapped in leather and has a handy-dandy carrying strap.  I have a horn I need to alter to allow powder to be put into it. And a horn that I am hoping to complete before I die.

I use a flask most of the time but have a couple of small horns

Powder Transportation and Distribution Devices ??????


You mean transporting cross country?

Going to the range?

Going hunting?

RB, any and all of the above.......just whichever ya like best to use.

I use a horn for rifles.
I use a flask for revolvers.
I keep the rest of the powder in its original container in the original box and not secured in any type of other container.
The containers are designed for safety.
If they catch fire they will allow the powder to explode without building up pressure.
I was told never put your powder in a safe or any other container.
If it gets hot and builds up pressure you have a bomb on your hands.

I have a small magazine at home that I store my extra (when I have it  :() BP in. Its in the back of the shed. Its water and fire proof, but I reckon it would still blow up if the building ever caught on fire.

Quote from: TomG on October 22, 2008, 09:25:52 PM
I use a horn for rifles.
I use a flask for revolvers.
I keep the rest of the powder in its original container in the original box and not secured in any type of other container.
The containers are designed for safety.
If they catch fire they will allow the powder to explode without building up pressure.
I was told never put your powder in a safe or any other container.
If it gets hot and builds up pressure you have a bomb on your hands.

The old timers had the right idea with powder storage.  Powder horn end plugs were attached with the pins close to the edge and sealed with bees wax that way if the horn were to explode the end plug would pop out much easier than if it were glued in.  Flask caps were attached with tiny screws very close to the opening for the same reason.  The modern cylendericle flask that screw into the cap can produce a lot of pressure when they blow.  A powder magazine should be designed with just enough material to hold it together so that if it blows there is not a lot of built up pressure inside.

Just my thoughts and things that I have read over the last 35 years of muzzleloading.  Doug

Late, but here it goes.  I actually split loading 50/50 between horn and flask.  Had both of them since the 60s.

Horn for rifles and flask for revolvers.
When deer hunting out back I generally use pre-measured powder loads in glass vials with a cork stopper.

I load both my rifle and pistol outta the horn using 2 different size powder measures as I shoot 3fg in both.  I don't like toting a lot of stuff to the range.  Flask and horn seem redundant.  At home, I dump the remaining powder back into the original container as Goex attracts moisture 

I have a couple horns one is just for FFF the other is more of a horn flask only has a flask spour fitted to it. Use that one for FFFFprimer powder.

I prefer a horn for rifles and single shot pistoles.  A flask for revolvers.  But if at the range for just general shooting or sighting in, or just testing different loads, Track of the Wolf and a couple others have a cap that is threaded to go directly on the powder can that has a spring loaded valve.  I can pour directly from the can into my powder measure with out any effort or trouble.  There is also a model that is threaded for inter changable measured spouts from about 15 to 200 grains.  I personally prefer to use the first where I use my own measure ( cause I like to make my own).  I was sceptical at first when I saw others use them at a couple of shoots but gave in to curiosity and bought one.  I love them!  My first one was plastic but opted for the Track of the Wolf Brass model after I tried one.  Works flawlessly.  Glad I bought one.  The brass model was only 8.95.  I paid more, about 12.00 dollars for the plastic.  DB owns one as well.  I would not use one in the field, but informal shootinn from the tailgate of your truck or bench, it can't be beat!
                                                                           

powder horn

For Squirrel hunting and just rambling the woods I use a horn.  For deer hunting I have premeasured tubes.  When at the range most of the time I use what I would be using when hunting.  Practice, practice, practice.

 Horn for me.... It's all i have.... besides looks nice

My be out of step but, as I haven't loaded nor shot mine since New Years 2000, Have used the cylinder, all I've had to work with... found that I only needed it and my Measure (one of those that has the set screw and increments of 5 grs.). Experimenting (I did ALOT of measuring and re-measuring), I found that the spout on mine was a 30 gr. measure. as my T/C hawken liked 90 gr's. behind the PRB all I had ta do was block end with finger throw 3 spouts down the barrel followed by the PRB, ram home, cap, aim & boom...wait fer the smoke ta clear... dinner.
I don't advocate this to anyone. 

I am sure that this is the method used by a lot of people but it will be quicker and much safer to use a seperate measure for the powder insted of dumping from a flask.  Buy a short 3/8 diameter 4" to 6" length of copper tubing (nipple) at Home Depot or Lows.  Crimp one end and fold the corners over forming a point, you can drill a hole in the bottom of the point to atach to a thong.  Measure out 90 grains using your present method and dump it down the cpper tubing, cut the tubing off at the proper length and you have a powder measure.  Total time 30 minutes total cost $2.00 to $3.00.  Doug

I agree with doug if only for the safety aspect - i have a bad habit of getting sidetracked so did i count 3 or none... which would lead to the infamous dryball (which i have not done YET!)... I use a measure I made out of antler and it keeps me safe and hopefully away from the dryball factor...

I am not infamous! Just well known.

DB

Quote from: Dryball on October 07, 2009, 12:38:51 PM
I am not infamous! Just well known.

DB

ROFL

Not you the condition- ya'know ball - powder -  oops!

Please re read the LAST LINE of my above post.

Also, please reread the part about how long it's been since I've shot my BP. rifle.
Nope, didn't go KERBOOM on me (the bad kind). just haven't shot it since.
Now I'm re learnin.

I am going to say some thing here that may start a war but that is not me intention.
There are only two kinds of black powder shooters those who have bry
balled and those who will