The butt plug could then be easily removed to add gunpowder to the horn. Next, at the smaller end of the horn, a hole was made which allowed the horn to act as a funnel. The plug in the smaller end could be removed and it acted as the spout of a funnel allowing gunpowder to be quickly transferred to the gun. Then, ridges were carved into the horn allowing the attachment of a carrying strap. Straps varied depending on the preferences of the person, some consisted of a very long leather strap to sling over one's shoulder, others were short and allowed attachment to a hunting bag. To do all of this, only simple hand tools were required. A high form of technology was not needed to create a powder horn, in fact, most anyone could probably have created a powder horn if they had the right materials. Probably the most difficult task was acquiring a horn. Most horns were six to sixteen inches for the use with rifles and muskets and three to six inches for use with muzzle loading pistols or to prime flintlock rifles or muskets. .
Cow and ox horns were a logical choice as raw materials for creating the containers to carry gunpowder at this time in history. Because horns were considered a waste product from slaughter, and were readily available, raw horns or professionally crafted powder horns could be imported duty free. This made powder horns highly available, modestly priced, and they could even be recycled for other uses were they became damaged or replaced. Few people had the money to pay for a professionally crafted powder horn, so most were crafted by their owner. Mostly, because of the inexpensiveness of the product, it was popular among the people and more and more people owned a powder horn.
Because they were hand crafted, easy to make, and the end product resulted essentially in a non-breakable, refillable, bottle that also acted as a funnel, powder horns were used for more than just carrying gunpowder.
