BLACK POWDER HORN OR FLASK?

We discuss buying powder horns, powder flasks, new ones, original ones, cheap ones and more.
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[@independentthinker8930]

One of the things I love about traditional black powder shooting is making my own supplies and equipment

[@BlackPowderTV]

That is one of the highlights for sure. I'm a fan of making stuff myself or at the least something being made by someone with more skill than me... Excellent comment, thanks!

[@independentthinker8930]

@@BlackPowderTV My best friend passed away a little over a month ago, he was an gifted leather worker, he left me his Great Plains rifle and possibles bag full of accoutrements. Amazed at his skills.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Very sad to hear that but what an awesome gift!

[@alifr4088]

Make the rifle by yourself is one of the best pleasure!

[@independentthinker8930]

@@alifr4088 being a lefty it's nearly required!

[@Bayan1905]

If you are hunting with a muzzleloader from a horn and I do often, I don't carry a huge powder horn. I often carry my Grandfather's horn which is very old but in great shape still, which is about 12-14 inches long. I've also carried a large priming horn because when you're hunting on a day trip, you won't need a huge amount of powder, 60-80 grains or maybe a bit more if you're using a large caliber gun or smoothbore and only 20 grains with a .32 Squirrel rifle.

[@cvcoco]

Im new here and really enjoying your videos. Bits and pieces that fill in big gaps in knowledge!

[@johnndavis7647]

I read somewhere that after percussion became popular, many priming horns were turned into salt horns.

[@BlackPowderTV]

I think that’s probably right.

[@mikemcguire441]

Great episode, keep them coming look forward to seeing many more. I like how you are starting this series off for the "new guy". This is how you get more people involved in our sport. The "Muskrat" approves.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Mike! My intention was to start out with some shooting videos but the weather hasn't cooperated. I'm with you though, I'm glad it worked out like this.

[@ChacoteOutdoorRecreation]

This is perfection, hard earned sound advice explained simply by someone that knows. I think this is my new favorite video.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks for the kind words COR!

[@notsosilentmajority1]

As someone just getting into black powder/muzzle loading, your channel is fantastic. I've been involved with firearms for many, many years but only recently have picked up the black powder bug. Still researching my first muzzle loader but I'm leaning towards a traditional style, opposed to the inline. I haven't made up my mind entirely but videos like yours sure do help. I'm looking forward to many more of your videos and learning as much as possible about this hobby. Thanks very much. Liked and subbed. 👍🏼

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks so much! Glad you’re getting something from them! 👍🏻

[@blackpowdermaniacshooter]

Excellent reviews of powder horns and flasks. Keep up the good work my friend. I'm already enjoying the channel. Thanks for posting.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Mark, it means alot! Love the Grinch video!

[@jeffreyarnold2929]

Beautiful horn collection. Great information.

[@kevinward8915]

Great series, have been shooting black powder for a long time, mostly hawked style percussion, just getting back to a tc hawked .45 cal flintlock and this series is a great refresher

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks for the kind words Kevin!

[@richstone2627]

Outstanding ! If you're just starting out listen to what the man is saying. Buy American and buy once, cry once. Support your local Horner if you have one or the ones suggested in the video.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Check out hornguild.org for more info!

[@mikecummings8355]

As I said before- excellent instructor, loads of useful information.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Mike!

[@danielelliott3659]

I enjoyed the lesson. Thanks for your time!

[@mrdinme.4768]

I was real happy to see this video. Never felt right, these “new” flasks. And received one of those new inexpensive horns as a gift, kinda for wall hangin only, lol this is great solid sound advice, going to check out that CLA, thanks

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks MrD!

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

Very informative for new guys and appealing to those thinking about going traditional.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks James! I appreciate it!

[@amrak-8401]

Fantastic review and presentation sir, thank you.🙏

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Ted!

[@danclas5983]

Took your advice Bob and got a hold of Tim on ALR , got my first horn from him . It's a southern banded screw tip and wow , I guess I don't need to tell ya how nice it is . Tim was great to deal with and it turns out we aren't that far apart . Lookin forward to some new videos , hope your doing well . Thanks

[@BlackPowderTV]

Awesome Dan! Tim is a great guy. I had a surgery that took me out for a month. I expect to get a video or two out this coming weekend! Thanks!

[@martykitson3442]

Half the fun with my first horn was making it but I lived in a rural area where cattle ranching is still a thing, that big horn held more ffg than I could afford lol it wasn't real pretty but it worked I actually traded it off when I moved away and been using a flask till I can take time to build my next one

[@BlackPowderTV]

Nice! Thanks for the story Marty! I haven't made one myself but I've made a dozen or more originals serviceable again. It is on my bucket list though!

[@kevincombes3159]

I found this very informative. I'm new to black powder muzzleloading and have "caught the bug". I had no idea there are artisans who make powder horns!

[@FrontierTradingCompany]

The straps and bags are standalone works of art, too. Really intricate craftsmanship all around.

[@BlackPowderTV]

There are some very talented guys on the americanlongrifle forum and on the Contemporarly Longrifle Association website and facebook! Check them out!

[@kevincombes3159]

@@BlackPowderTV I'll do that. Thank you!

[@Bayan1905]

Another thing to note, if you want to go with a repro horn and are looking at something from say 1750's to 1790 or so, DO NOT get a bison horn, the black colored horns. The reason why, those were not used in the northeast or in the eastern part of the country at that time. I can tell you that many places and groups that do reenacting that have rules on what can be carried and allowed completely outlawed black bison or dark colored horns as many of those come from overseas. It will be a white /whitish grey cow's horn that is what's used as those came from Europe at the time.

[@chrisnewport7826]

Thank you, Stud

[@wadepatton2433]

I bought a very cheap one at our local flea market. It wouldn't hold a housefly, but I thought I could fix it up. When I went to really shaping it to be a "proper" horn, after much work, I found it was split down on the business end, and would never make a sound powderhorn. It was a waste of time, but for the experience of working with horn. The next horn I get will be a pre-cleaned/polished un-cut, un-drilled horn such that I can make it up properly. The style that fits my purposes is quite simple to make (if you're a fabricator). I currently use a flattened pocket horn purchased second-hand at a longrifle show last year. As hunter I don't need a horn sized for trekking or long-hunting. Also note that there can be real danger in the brass "pipe" type flasks (CVA makes these I think). They need relief valves added to make them safer. Otherwise, if they catch a spark they can explode like a grenade. Horns and tin-flasks simply rupture in that same situation, but the pipe-style can create deadly pressure-and shooters have lost digits. Use with caution, and add a relief port for better safety.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks for the comment Wade. I know of at least one guy who started making horns because he did that very thing.

[@giuseppe4909]

I got a raw horn, and have it all cleaned up, caps/plugs made and am now doing my own engraving using period style lettering and doing it with a sailmakers needle. Cap attached by using cut iron square nails.

[@Bayan1905]

There is a third option although it's pretty specific. In the early 1700's there were leather powder horns, there is one on record and in a collection, it looks very much like a horn, but it is leather, is carved and has the Fleud de lis on it and it is actually horn shaped. Another smaller version was recovered in the area of St. Louis about the time it was founded by the French. But again, a certain time period and only the French it seems.

[@stevensouder6729]

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO....... LEARNING A LOT!

[@donfullbright8468]

Great video

[@russellkeeling4387]

You are much more of a traditional guy than I am. I have some powder horns around but I don't use them any longer. I like the look of the traditional muzzle loading firearms but that's not what I want. I want what works the best for me and I've been using round flasks as much as possible. I have a few different powders I've made and I like to keep them separate from one another. I've gone from a .50 caliber Thompson Center Hawken to a .50 cal. in line. It's not as quality a firearm as the TC Hawken but it is as accurate, it's much easier to clean, uses primers I have a ton of, and it has a faster twist rate. I am much interested in flintlock right now but I don't want to buy an expensive flintlock and then not like it.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Russell, we all do what works for us. Sounds like you’ve got it under control. Keep making smoke brother. That’s what it’s all about.

[@Bane_Diesel]

No joke getting ready to jump into black powder guns. I happened to be looking through old stuff from my grandmother. I found a very old looking flask but I don't have a way to date it. No writing besides made in Italy.

[@KathrynLiz1]

Powder horns are thin on the ground in New Zealand, but we have LOTS of cattle.... so I got a horn and made my own. Quite a lot of work. so your price of around $150 I would say is extremely reasonable. It kinda looks the part and works fine, and cost me about $30 in materials.... You are right about the flasks.... I have one from Uberti in Italy, and although it has held up fine over 25 years, it IS very thin...... I have some copper sheet in my workshop (about 3/64") so might just have a go at making a new body... the valve mechanism on the bought one looks robust, so I might use that.... I'm a bit low on 1" brass bar at the moment and it's expensive... :-D

[@JohnDoe-yg6ed]

I made my own horns, my pan “horn” is made from a whales tooth that I had and then my other horn is a hippos tusk that I had and made into on. Then I scrimshawed both

[@Fuerwahrhalunke]

I love buying old wooden horns. Especially from the 19th century, that have brass with engravings on them. I'm just fascinated by fixing them back up to their original state and then looking at the before and after. Not only does it lift my mood by accomplishing something that I can look at and touch with a proudness of knowing that I did that, I also gave a new life to something, that many generations before me have used. Nowadays a lot of things feel like they are made quickly, cheaply and to not last as long to maximize the revenue.

[@michaelbanzhaf5793]

Nice to see you got yourself a Sibley horn! They taught me horn making when I lived in Powell.

[@BlackPowderTV]

You're a lucky guy to learn under the Sibley's! I just picked up another Sibley this weekend! Such great detail! Love their stuff!

[@michaelbanzhaf5793]

I have a couple of their horns including a St. Louis horn with some Catlin style engraving by Cathy.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Cathy is so talented!

[@apocosy]

Pros and cons of each would be nice.

[@Nick-wn1xw]

Very good information.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Jason!

[@larsbliss2728]

My beretta anniversary ou muzzle loading shotgun came with a Spanish made flask. I had to enforce the seam with jb weld. At least the shotgun itself is pretty decent.

[@cherokeebilly69_jeepnwv11]

I ordered a 9” horn with a right hand twist Lol from Crazy Crow back in 02 and made my own if I remember correctly I paid around 10 bucks for it and got the nails for it as well and have been carrying it ever since. I do re-enactments and hunt with it . You can get everything thing there to make one. Great information, Great video... love your channel 👍🏻

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Bill, I love it. Hornmaking is beyond me though I’d love to give it a try someday. Crazy Crow is a great resource. Thanks for the kind words! 👍🏻

[@cherokeebilly69_jeepnwv11]

@@BlackPowderTV I must confess I had a great mentor back then that talked me through the process. This was before google Hahaha. It’s really a simple process like the old saying goes” if I can do it anyone can “ Lol . I would love to see what you would/ could do with one. Oh it’s on google now Lol.

[@BlackPowderTV]

@@cherokeebilly69_jeepnwv11 I have a few buddies who are horners to one extent or another so maybe I can talk one into giving me the rundown. You've got me contemplatin'!

[@cherokeebilly69_jeepnwv11]

@@BlackPowderTV I just kept mine plain and simple , nothing fancy since I portray a farmer/ Militia in re-enactments . Good luck with it, and will be looking forward to seeing it if you decide to do one.

[@craigwilcox4403]

Bob, you are doing GREAT with Black Powder - grades, cost, horn or flask - love it all, and in pretty good detail, also. Someplace, though, would you touch on storing the stuff? I never mind having a few (

[@BlackPowderTV]

Thanks Craig. Great idea on storage. I’ll put a video together this week. Thanks!!!

[@widowsson1478]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously. I was hoping you would clarify the period in history when flasks were more commonly used. 1830’s onwards?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I appreciate the kind words. Yes. American companies started making them around 1830. The English metal flask makers started cranking them out about 20 years earlier. So certainly by 1815 they were being imported and by the mid 1830s they would have been very commonly seen here. Thanks and I should have mentioned that in the video.

[@blueduck9409]

You can make paper cartridges from either a flash or horn. Brass measures for the flask, and wooden measures for the horn. Personally, i find the horns generally hold more powder than the average flask. I guess the debate there is one for pistols and the other for rifles.

[@forestchicken3302]

I made a powder horn before I ever had the weapon. It was a very long process but I have a beautiful heavy duty horn.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Awesome.i love it. 👍🏻

[@michaelhayes7471]

I got a cheap one to hunt with to scratch up an a nice one to carry to the range

[@rebeccaback3287]

I have learned something from this video! David Back.

[@bobbytudor3788]

I love your hat

[@BigAl52]

Got me a horn comin from Ames on the forum. Now if I could get me one of those McBride hats Id be lookin correct. 😊 Great video BigAl52

[@BlackPowderTV]

Lol! Thanks Al! I saw that hat for sale a few years ago on the forum and had to have it! Post a pic of the horn on the forum, I love looking at pretty horns! Thanks for the kind words!

[@fordfan3179]

Now I'm well versed in powder horns!

[@BlackPowderTV]

👍🏻

[@plaguedoctor880]

Thoughts on horns with the metallic premeasure speed spouts?

[@stepabove2136]

Lol I got one looks like the one with rope on it of yours I can't find a single video on how to get black powder in it the top with big hole I tried to screw it off and pull it off with no luck surly you don't have to pour it into the small charging hole 😅 there's not a single video that I can find. There's plenty of videos on pouring powder out of it but how do you get it in.

[@firemoosemedic]

Great information and thanks for the share….. buuuut out of left field I have to ask, what’s the “model” of that fine hat?!? 😍

[@davidguerrero9270]

I am a new black powder shooter and I am very grateful for the information!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Awesome David, glad you're finding something useful in the vids! Thanks brother!!

[@garypease7414]

Does anyone make left handed locks?

[@rynhardtvanrensburg2187]

How do you recognize a union or confederate powder flask???

[@CrookedCreekShooting]

Great advice! Thank you sir! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@BlackPowderTV]

Crooked Creek Shooting Thank you! 🇺🇸

[@t.curran8243]

I got a horn made in India from DGW and the maker did not clean the inside-what a stink! I had to take it apart completely.

[@montananomad5382]

What about a $5.99 plastic flask?

[@shenyathewelder9695]

At this point I’ll just make my own out of copper pipe. It’ll be unique for sure.

[@user-yr3gq9ok6y]

ราคาเท่าไหร่??

[@TheSTURMGEWEHR44]

I just bought that same Dixon and sons powder flask off eBay recently and am wondering how you clean the inside? I see that the spout unscrews, but does the whole top come off somehow? Or am I over thinking things and just fill it up as is?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I love the Dixon flask. I wouldn’t clean it at all. Honest patina is desirable and cleaned it will loose a lot of its value. I certainly wouldn’t bother with the inside. 👍🏻

[@TheSTURMGEWEHR44]

@@BlackPowderTV yeah I was just wondering about the inside. This is the response I was hoping for. I can’t wait to use it!

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

How many shots do you get out of the pocket horn that your thinking about attaching to your bag?

[@BlackPowderTV]

About 15 shots. 60g of 2f.

[@paraplegichistoricalsports5700]

@@BlackPowderTV well that's a plenty for hunting. Even squirrel hunting.

[@BlackPowderTV]

James Sparhawk Yes sir.

[@billmaclellan1282]

Where did you go. I hope all is well and you will return to your channel

[@BlackPowderTV]

Hey Bill, all is well. I had an unexpected bout with cancer but it’s gone and I’ll be back in action soon! Thanks for checking in!

[@billmaclellan1282]

Glad to it's all gone. Thanks for the reply

[@WannabeWoodsman]

What are your thoughts on the horns from places such as Crazy Crow?

[@BlackPowderTV]

I think they are just fine practically speaking but they could be more historically correct if that matters to you.

[@WannabeWoodsman]

@@BlackPowderTV For me personally not particularly. I'm not reenacting per se but want to have a general feeling on what deer hunting with a traditional rifle with some traditional style kit would be like

[@donnance1480]

I have two powder horns from the Crazy Crow and am happy with both of them...using for about 10 years...no troubles :)

[@Dingdongwitchisdead]

$100 is the new $20.

[@josephgioielli]

"Get something custom made." isn't really advice. Obviously, if you have the cash, get everything custom made. But for the rest of us, start cheap. You may lose interest in BP after a year or two. You don't want to have thousands of dollars tied up in it. If you stick with it, upgrade, but wait till that first blush has worn off.

[@deanyorke1717]

I don't know if you're still looking at these comments - but what do you suggest for a late 1600s / early 1700s reenactor? A horn or a 17th century styled flask? The type of flasks you'd see paired with apostles.

[@BlackPowderTV]

It depends on the persona and precise period I suppose. It’s not my area of expertise but I’d probably lean towards the flask as many things like that would have been passed a generation or two down. Either would work but I’d establish a tight persona and that would steer you in the right direction. If your persona were issued his gear, say, vs having bought second hand or inherited it. Hope that helps. 👍🏻

[@deanyorke1717]

@BlackPowderTV It does help. And I decided on a triangular powder flask. Also found a shop in the UK that makes them to order. I'm now watching your video on storing powder safely, among other videos about grainage, charging power, and cleaning.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Awesome. The storage video is simply ‘best practices’ as BP is pretty stable stuff. The main thing is to keep it from an arc source and storing it in a fashion that will allow for time to evacuate in case of a house fire. Don’t stress doing it exactly as I describe but try to be aware of the possible dangers and store accordingly. I usually store 50lbs or so I take things a step farther than strictly necessary. Better safe…

[@deanyorke1717]

@@BlackPowderTV This is the guy who makes the flask I'm getting. The large triangular is on the table in the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3jcmZSKeKyngKs

[@BlackPowderTV]

@deanyorke1782 looks nice. That’ll be fun to put together.

[@frankmoreno6866]

Someone please tell me... If my new powder flask comes apart at the seams, can't I just braze it back together? Or just reinforce the seam by brazing it anyway??

[@BlackPowderTV]

You could do that Frank for sure. 👍🏻

[@joshuaduck1631]

Go find a rendezvous, or make your own.

[@johnwatson3913]

How can you distinquish a real horn or flask from a reproduction?

[@BlackPowderTV]

Just like any antique It’s often pretty difficult depending on who made it. Age and patina are hard to fake if you know what you’re looking for. Original horns mostly used hand shaped iron nails to hold the plug in. Original flasks were mostly heavier duty where reproductions feel a bit flimsy. If you go to a traditional crafts/longrifle show you’ll be able to handle many originals and it won’t take long to see the difference pretty plainly. Hope this helps.

[@johnwatson3913]

@@BlackPowderTV Thank you for the response

[@intruder3578]

umm $100 aint cheap crazy crow sell kits so you can make your own horn for like $22

[@BlackPowderTV]

Yep. You can certainly do that, and end up with a nice piece of your own make, and you’re right, ‘cheap’ is a different number for different people. I'll choose my words more carefully in future. Thanks for commenting!

[@BogeyTheBear]

Goes without saying, then, that you shouldn't get a powder horn made of synthetic plastic or the sort. Oh, we do have to say something about that? Yeah, a real horn isn't going to generate static electricity that is going to set off your powder. A cheap plastic 'decorative' horn of some sort is dangerous.

[@ReichenbachEsq]

Bogey the Bear Why is Goex sold in ferrous steel cans or static prone plastic?

[@murrayandru7527]

Flask is Way easier , Just saying ..

[@pd1099]

So every firearm I buy I'm just reenacting? I make my own show. Great vid tho.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Nope. A very large part of the traditional muzzle loading community are reenactors at some level. I like to use the traditional accoutrements. Some like to wear the clothes too. Some don’t care, as long as they can hunt the muzzleloader deer season and mount scopes or whatever. My point was, if you carry a traditional muzzleloader you’re using 350yo tech for some reason, so do it your own way. To each his own. 👍🏻 Thanks for the comment.

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 & subscribe! 👍 = es gibt nichts mehr zu sagen! Alles perfekt!

[@BlackPowderTV]

Danke and welcome!

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

@@BlackPowderTV 👍

[@wildrangeringreen]

People in Europe used flasks and horns back in the 1600's, not everything has to be about the American Long Rifle and pretending to be Simon Kenton... or Daniel Day-Lewis. The dang Am. Long Rifles are the Muzzle Loading community's AR15 lol, can't hardly find any content on anything but them these days lol. my flask is an el-cheapo brass CVA one, it's literally a brass pipe that has a spout on one cap; not sure how that's going to fail.

[@chriswitmer4446]

If you want to walk the walk then learn the lingo. At 9:48 you refer to the horn as being "scrimshawed". That is a nautical term that sailors use to describe their work with whale bone or walrus tusk. A traditional horn worker will "grave" their creation (past tense= graved) or in comtemporary speak you could refer to the horn as being engraved.

[@BlackPowderTV]

Worrying over lingo has nothing at all to do with walking the walk.

[@preacher031163]

Crack me up,dont buy a foreign horn to go with your foriegn reproduction..

[@mudweiser007]

Those flasks on eBay are now above $350 some above $800 I guess the markets toast

[@kowalski363]

Great video