Powder horn size and other questions

So as my first foray into muzzle loading I’ve decided to build a custom and personalized powder horn. But since I do not have a muzzle loader yet and have not really any experience related to them I have no idea what size horn to get. I’m looking to make a horn that will be my main powder horn, I guess. Something that I won’t have to refill incessantly at the range. It probably won’t be entirely period correct, this is just going to be my own personal horn for recreational purposes. I don’t want it to be too cumbersome, but I don’t want it to be to small either. So what would be a good size horn to suite my needs?

Also, where do you guys get you wood, horns, and other materials?

I highly recommend this site, they make and sell kits. Home - Powderhorns and More

Horn size matters!

FrontierTrapper92 said:

I highly recommend this site, they make and sell kits. Home - Powderhorns and More

Click to expand...

Oh and I forgot to add, personally I like a medium horn for hunting but if just using at the range, no reason not to go with a big horn .

FrontierTrapper92 said:

Oh and I forgot to add, personally I like a medium horn for hunting but if just using at the range, no reason not to go with a big horn .

Click to expand...

So, like I said, for my first powder horn build… not going for period correctness at all. Just want to make a functional and unique horn to call my own. Has anyone ever used Springbok horns for a powder horn. I know that they are a South African species, but the horns have a unique texture that looks like it would be really easy to grip, horns can be up to around 17”, but I wonder how much the internal shape would impede the flow of powder???

You would need to check how far back from the tip the horn is solid. It would be difficult to drill around that curve so powder would pour. The sharp curve would be a pain when trying to pour unless you cut it back. Also check the open core at the base to see what the capacity would be.

Don't know about those for powder horns but do see some interesting knife handle scales perhaps.

Concerning the Springbok horns:

I think I saw old antelope powder horns with the spout at the base plug. Origin North Africa or southern Germany/Switzerland. Gemse or Steinbock.

Maybe you could place a modern powder flask top at the base plug instead of trying a traditional construction.

http://www.hermann-historica-archiv.de/auktion/hhm56.pl?f=NR&c=73017&t=temartic_S_D&db=kat56_s.txt

In the Powder Flask Book in Fond a Foto of a antelope powder horn similar to a Springbok horn

From PFC’s link,

But what’s the do-dads on the black one?

It is a tool for a wheel lock. Old powder horns often were also a multipurpose tool, so called spanner flasks.

Another plug for Powderhorns and more. Good horns with good pics and descriptions. I have also found good project horns on Ebay....keep your searches generic...cow horns for projects, etc. take your time. I have picked up a number of horns cheap, all needed cleaning up and keep in mind thier shipping. I guess size....I think a hunters horn can be smaller...shorter trip, limited shots.... A long hunters horn....big, for volume. A bigger bore arm.....muskets, .58 cal., etc, more powder. A lot depends on what you plan to do with it. Dont worry too much about it..once you make one, you will start anothr, than another....they are fun projects. I give away alot, allowing me to keep making them! Good xmas, birthday or just because presents.

Just saw an antelope powder horn from South Africa in ebay France

Dated 1849

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/19590282054...fAmgrT0Y7tE6ZHg7ukMGuQGw==|tkp:Bk9SR7yVlpW9Yg
Maybe this historic horn might be interesting for you, Teliliad?

I just saw an antique powder horn made of a "Gamshorn" on eBay Germany
https://www.ebay.de/itm/18407957841...waVLmjpshm4kglbBOiG25flg==|tkp:Bk9SR_ysmaDHYg
Maybe from the 17th century.

Rather interesting. But these very old horns are rather expensive too.