You ABSOLUTELY CANNOT put your ammo in the same case with your guns, that is against airline regulations....you cannot put another suitcase or bag in your tuff case with ammo in it....

After reading all the posts on Tuffpaks and how may guns they allow in a firearms container, a friend believes that neither the airlines of TSA allow clothing inside a tuffpak. That the tuffpak can only contain 2 rifles, misc shooting supplies etc as stated on Delta's web page. Harry, please say it ain't so, I need some re-assurance..

It ain't so...I use clothes to pad the guns and cameras and binocs in the Tuff Case....

That would be a bitch after buying the tufpak and only guns are allowed in it...

Mike

Thanks Scott for getting that cleared up. I nearly fainted with I read that. Will finish packing tomorrow and leave Monday.

Hartley

Can you put ammo in the tuffpak with the guns?

Here is my theory: If I take 2 guns in separate tuffpaks, then there should be a better thance that I arrive at my destination with at loeast one of my guns. If the ammo for that gun is in the same tufffpak as the gun, then I will have a gun and ammo to use, even if one tuffpak is lost.

Can I do this?

Thanks.

500 Grains has the right idea...redundency! I don't own two gun cases, but stuff gets divided up between my suitcases/gun cases and whoever I am hunting with. That way you've doubled the chances of getting at least 1/2 your stuff there.

Put your stuff in the Tuffpak and hook 'em.

I bought an inexpensive lockable metal cash box at office supply.

Take out plastic coin tray and put in ammo in the boxes they come in. Lock box and put in Tuffpak.

I now have ammo locked and not handy to rifles. Rifles. clothing and ammo just happen to be in the Tuffpak.

If you encounter a problem then take out cashbox and add secure tape and ship as extra luggage. You could use an old Army ammo can with common padlock to do same thing.

In three trips to three different African countries nobody has given me or any member of my party a problem about ammo or firearms. All my experiences are with Delta, SAA or KLM.

These flight were 1992,2000 and 2002.

I might add that when I go up to the airline counter I tell them I am traveling with "sporting arms"...it seems to soften the blow to some rather than the word GUNS! Works for me and might for you.

500Grains,

On our trip to RSA last year my partner and I each checked one rifle case and one bag with clothes , ammo etc.

Upon arrival in Joburg, rifle cases were there but not suitcases. [They caught up 12 hours later - but it appears that they were sitting in the "back room" somewhere - perhaps waiting for the correct tip or incentive to be found?].

On the return trip, we arrived home in Tampa, both suitcases arrived, but both rifle cases didn't make the connection, they did arrive later that day though.

Not sure the double Tuffpak is a sure cure.

Les

I just returned from S.Africa. I stuffed mine with 2 rifles
in their soft cases and clothes. Delta didn't mind. SAA either. Checking the guns at the airport means unpacking
so be prepared. Also when you arrive. Both guns were 'on'
when I got there and when I got home. With clothes in the Tuffpac my other bag was smaller and that helped. Each year I seem to carry fewer and fewer clothes with me, I buy more and more things while I am there and have room for them because of the extra luggage space. My second choice are the SKB's with the cut outs for the guns. I have carried them several times to Africa.
Ed

It appears that each airline may make their own rules but they are to be more stringent than the FAA. Some airlines will allow ammo and guns in the same case but don't expect airlines employees to know what their own rules are. I had ammo and guns in the same case with KLM. Their website clearly stated that it was permissable. The Luggage guy jumped me and said it was not legal. I told him it was. He said it was not. I said I have the printout from the website in my possesion that stated it clearly. He changed the subject. Check out the website for your particular airline. Printout their traveling with Sporting Arms section. Take it with you when you go. We did the same as you. 3 rifles in 2 cases, each containing matching guns and ammo. Good hunting. "D"

There is no reason to unpack everything if you will just do the following. Place gun in the soft case and then put gun into Tuffpak muzzle down. All you should have to do is to unzip case and pull gun part way out to show it is unloaded.
Stick gun back into case and zip up.
Lid goes back and lock goes on and you go Adios to Africa!
You should always have a copy of the airlines luggage rules with you when you fly out. It sure takes the fight out of the counter dog that supposedly knows all!

Well Ray...these days you can do a lot of things and seems some airlines are telling hunters to put ammo in with the guns. Many of us have done it in the past (myself included) and many times I have had it in my luggage and still....not one soul has asked about my ammo be it a trip to Africa or a trip inside the USA.

Although SAA and Delta's rules do not mention clothing as one of the things you can put in your Tuffpak they don't say you can't either. I intend to pack some clothing in mine.
Both airlines specifically state you can put ammo in the gun case but I think it is prudent to spread it out in your regular checked luggage as well.

I leave Monday morning for Zimbabwe and have found lots of usefull information on the forums, thanks SBT for putting me on to AR . I talked with Delta today and yes you can put your ammo in the case with the gun. It even says so on their web site. SAA however does not state where the ammo can be carried other than not in carry on. I spoke SAA today and they were very clearn the ammo should be in seperate luggage. I told them they the information they have posted does not say that specifically. Even after explaining that my flight orginated with Delta they said ammo must be seperate. They were unable to tell me what would have happened if the ammo had been packed with my tuff pac. Guess I will pack ammo seperately rather than chance pissing off someone.

Hartley Kittle

hKittle- SAA's website specifically says that ammo can be in the gun case. Review Mbogo375's post above. print their rules off the internet and take a copy of them with you. John

John,

Regardless what the websites say why would you want to pack your ammo with your guns? Keep it in your luggage and spread it around thus increasing the chances that some ammo will arrive. If the counter person wants you to put the ammo in the gun case you can easily do it. On the other hand if you have your ammo and guns packed together and the counter people feel it is not the way to go they may get that glazed panic look and give you a very hard time.

Most of these airline folks are not anti gun just incredibly ignorant about guns and get very nervous when dealing with them. I try to avoid giving them any reason to freak out.

Regards,

Mark

Mark- I agree. That is pretty much what I said in my previous post in this thread. The only thing that I am concerned about is whether the airlines will get pissed off if you have ammo in your checked luggage as neither Delta or SAA say that is where to put it. Since others have done this I guess it is OK to do. Just trying to follow their rules! John