Does anyone know if it is OK to put ammo in a soft-sided suitcase (checked baggage) if it is in a smaller locked hard container? I'm trying to get some weight out of my two rifle case and stay under 50 pounds.

Yes, i do it all the time.

Thanks Larry!

Better check with the Airlines just to be sure, and try and get it in writing/print if you can. The last time I flew and wanted to, the airline I used told me "NO AMMO, NO WAY PERIOD" on the plane; checked or otherwise. Then they gave me a bunch of greif at check-in with the rifle, even though I called ahead to get all the rules etc.
That was some time ago though.

Brice;

Ditto "larryshores" response. We pack our ammo in a plastic (hard sided) ammo can type container and put it in our duffles... We have traveled SAA, British Airways, American, Air New Zealand, Qantas, NW, KLM, Air Botswana and have never had a problem. Plan to do it again in 8 days via British Airways.

Best regards, D. Nelson

quote:

Ditto "larryshores" response. We pack our ammo in a plastic (hard sided) ammo can type container and put it in our duffles... We have traveled SAA, British Airways, American, Air New Zealand, Qantas, NW, KLM, Air Botswana and have never had a problem. Plan to do it again in 8 days via British Airways.

Did it in May this year on Lufthansa and Air Namibia with no problems.

I just took 100 shotgun shells in their original boxes stuck inside a nylon bag which was in turn placed inside a soft duffel bag on a trip to Argentina this month. They were inspected. Not a problem.

Some agents are jack asses. They are going to give you grief no matter what.

I have flown with ammo probably over 100 times packed this way and have never had a problem.

Interesting...

I've been told that twice (no ammo). A very long time ago by TWA (I said long ago, ha ha) and they also made us hand carry the bolt, and check the rifles separately.
Then this latest time by America West, about 5/6 years ago. They also insisted on putting big orange stickers on the case saying "firearm" which I thought to myself was kind of dumb, but also refused to insure it for damage or theft. That after having to get them to get a manager because the clerk didn't want to check it as baggage at all after getting there.

Maybe my problem was asking first on the ammo part...?

Gonna take 'em TSA-locked up in a small toolbox inside a duffel again in a week. Stick with hunter friendly airlines, I guess. Delta and SAA never gave it a second thought. United may be different this time, but I doubt it.

BNagel

I flew United and SAA back in May, no problems with the little metal box with ammo inside my soft case. in fact no one even looked at the ammo box, and it was TSA locked.

LLS

I've done it many times both domestic and international and only had it questioned once right after 9/11 and the supervisor got it straightened out immediately. Should not be a problem.

I have made 4 trips across the pond during last year and this year and always carried my ammo in the boxes provided by Superior Ammunition and put them into my duffle. No one has ever said a thing.

I just got back from the Selous and flew Emirates. on the way there put all ammo in the rifle case with ok at jfk. on the way back folks at jfk made me take ammo out of rifle case and put in soft side luggage. Go figure.

quote:

on the way back folks at jfk made me take ammo out of rifle case and put in soft side luggage. Go figure.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Rediculous. TSA regs (and most airline internal policies) specify that ammunition MAY be transported in the same locked hardside case as the firearm(s).

We just flew United/SAA over & back with ammo in factory cardboard boxes, no metal box, in soft duffel bags with our clothes.

No problems with flying the ammo. No problems with Delta/SAA last year doing the same thing.

United Customer service is another issue altogether.