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Author Topic: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?  (Read 5658 times)

Offline trentOH

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How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« on: September 21, 2016, 02:28:52 AM »
Last week at Friendship i learned the hard way that the brass CVA flask I was using wouldn't meter FFg powder through it. FFFg worked fine, but the larger granulation plugged it up every time. Furthermore, that flask doesn't hold enough powder, as my Brown Bess has a copius hunger for powder. So as I plan a powder horn for use with my Bess, what diameter hole should I use to move FFg powder freely to the powder measure?
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Offline Elnathan

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2016, 02:45:42 AM »
5/16" works well for my rifle. 3/8" might not be amiss for a Bess with a healthy appetite, but might make priming from your horn a bit difficult. Mind you, I write of the narrowest dimension, as a spout that gently tapers inward from the mouth makes for better fit and easier withdrawal of the plug, and that by necessity means that the hole at the mouth will be somewhat larger than the dimensions given.  ;)
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2016, 03:23:47 PM »
 Of the hundreds of horns I have made each has had a 1/4" hole, some were tapered with a reamer, to make the stopper fit tighter but the basic hole is 1/4". The exception would be a smaller hole for a primer. I have never had any complaints.
 Many original horns though have very large holes, I expect for ease of filling or faster transfer of powder to a measure. The size Elnathan mentioned are probably at the max and as he said may make priming from it difficult. Not to mention a better spark catcher.
 I would make what you think you need, there is no standard.
 
  Tim C.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2016, 03:33:42 PM by Tim Crosby »
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Offline bones92

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2016, 05:05:46 PM »
I'd start with 1/4", and if you need to open it up a bit, you have the option.
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2016, 08:22:16 PM »
Quote from: bones92 on September 21, 2016, 05:05:46 PM
I'd start with 1/4", and if you need to open it up a bit, you have the option.

 Just be careful if you use a bit to open it up. The bit may catch and twist cracking the horn.

   Tim C.
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Offline bones92

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2016, 07:24:42 PM »
Agreed.  A rat-tail file would probably be better, correct?
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2016, 10:36:44 PM »
Quote from: bones92 on September 22, 2016, 07:24:42 PM
Agreed.  A rat-tail file would probably be better, correct?

  Good choice. TC
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Online Jerry

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2016, 03:21:16 PM »
Large caliber large hole small caliber small hole.
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Offline Dphariss

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2016, 09:43:52 PM »
1/4".
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OldJoe

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2016, 11:25:26 PM »
On all of my horns, I've drilled a 1/4" hole and have had no problems...even with my Brown Bess.
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Offline bigsmoke

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Re: How large of a pouring hole in a powder horn?
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2016, 08:16:58 AM »
Of all the horns I have made, I typically drill a 5/16" hole in the spout.  I also typically drill the spout with four different size bits.
YMMV
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