I was reading stuntpilot2s thread on his 2005 safari (congratulations by the way) and I was curious as to the problem he encountered in his solids being stolen. I am new to the African hunting seen but am trying to plan my first safari. I have heard that ammo must be in factory boxes and combined with stories like stuntpilot2s it makes it seem pretty hard for a hand-loader to use his own ammo.

I have not yet chose an outfitter or even totally decided on what species I’d like to hunt (outside of buffalo). But I’ve made my mind up that I’ll be using my 505 Gibbs with my hand-loads as my heavy rifle. In an attempt not to highjack stunpilot2s thread I’d like to pose a question.

Is it not possible to ship your ammo to your PH? Would this not circumvent any potential problems with baggage inspections, factory boxes, or replacing hard to find ammo?

Thanks for any replies…..

Matt V.

Depending on country, PH's have a designated number of rounds for their rifle per year as established by the government. Shipping ammo to them can be problematic. You could make arrangements to "rent" or borrow a rifle instead of taking your own - personal choice.

I travel with handloads in after market containers with properly headstamped brass and have not been challenged on this. However, I have a three-rifle travel case and take two rifles and use the third (separate compartment on top)) for ammo and have been challenged by African Customs for not not having a completely separate case for ammo.

These are somewhat "gray" areas.

Many of us have taken ammo without a problem...The reloads can be in plastic boxes and have them labeled and tapped shut...I take my ammo in the plastic boxes and vaccuum pack them....They look really officially sealed....

Mike

Certainly, anything can happen, especially when traveling long distances with multiple flight changes. However, I have traveled to Africa annually for the past 12 years. On two occaisions my bags , containing reloaded ammo, arrived one or two days late. Other than those two occaisions, I have experienced no problems other than an over zealous ticket person at Northwest Airlines 4 years ago requiring me to remove two .470 NE rounds in order to satisfy the 2 kilogram rule!!

I have always carried my reloads in plastic ammo boxes and have never had so much as a question. I do , however, tape them closed with good ole duct tape. Hope this helps.

Geronimo

We have been going to Africa every year for so many years, always using our own wildcats and reloads, and have never had a problem.

We use plastick boxes like those by MTM.

Matt,

It seems that plastic boxes are fine and some custom factory loads come packaged that way. I put my handloads in regular factory boxes and that works great also.

Mark

TSA rules say original or packaging suitable or intended for ammo, or something to that effect. Meaning the plastic ammo baxes are approved. However, some airlines may have different requirements, and certainly some personnel don't know the rules. I suggest going to the TSA site and printing out the regs, and doing the same for the airline you are flying, and carry those with you. Personally, in six international hunting trips I've never had a problem.

I agree with all of the above.

I think outright theft of your ammo is usually a pretty low probability.

I've only had the TSA pull my bags apart and weigh my ammunition once, and that was flying out of Fargo North Dakota on United after pheasant hunting in 2006.

There have been several instances in the US where I've had to show print outs of the rules to agents in support of what others above have already said. For your hand loads, the plastic MTM type boxes with separate partitions for each round are totally fine to fly with.

Put your ammo in your rifle case with your rifle.
It is locked, only you have the key.

PS. I have NEVER [NEVER, NEVER,EVER] flown without ammo in the same case with my guns.

Somewhere on this forum you will find printable ammo labels that look really officious...even have a bar code on them! I've used these and vacuum packed (meat sealer!) the ammo boxes. Never had a problem with them in any country I've visited.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by prof242:
Somewhere on this forum you will find printable ammo labels that look really officious...even have a bar code on them! I've used these and vacuum packed (meat sealer!) the ammo boxes. Never had a problem with them in any country I've visited.[/QUO

I've wondered about doing something to that extent....

Thanks to all for the good advice

Matt V.

Has anyone ever been told by an airline that the ammo must be in a "locked" container - like a small metal or plastic box?

I think Continental requires that -- it can be in the same case as the gun, though.

I put my ammo boxes in a lockable aluminum pistol case, and packed it with my baggage. I tied my boot laces to the handle. Not to deter theft, but to make the box easier to find if the customs people wanted to see it. I guess like anything else, they will grab the items that are easy to snatch and hide, and my size 15EEEE boots just made that box a little harder to hide!

Geez Mark, you've got some big feet! Don't lose your shoes while on Safari!