Guys, I leave for Zambia on Friday night and have started the packing process.

The decision was made for my brother and me to share a double rifle case. We are 4 hunters and 4 rifles between us, with 5 non hunters as well.

1. Are there issues with two different travelers sharing a gun case? (note, different calibers) Obviously only one of us could actually check the case. Will this be a problem? We'll each want to pack our ammo in our own packed bags, and we each have a separate customs 4... form. We will check through to Lusaka, so J-burg shenanigans shouldn't be a problem. I don't know what we'll encounter in Lusaka. They have our firearm information, and I haven't heard of problems with obtaining the permit. So the question is, can two hunters share a single case, without treating it as one hunter with two guns?

2. I thought we'd have an appropriate rifle case to use, but that didn't materialize so I had to go get one last minute. I picked up a Winchester case. Without getting into why I should have a Tuffpack, SKB, Pelican, or whatever, my question is regarding the locks. There are two key locks and two combinations, both fixed to the case. Will these locks be adequate? (not that there is any other option) Are combination locks compatible with TSA regs? Could they be in the position to want access without my presence, or the combo?

Sorry to bring these up, but I'm in a pinch, and don't have time to research past postings.

Thanks, Brian

Should not be an issue with 2 hunters using 1 gun case. I do it all the time without problems.

Your locks should be sufficient. The bigger danger is not someone opening the case to take a gun, but taking the whole case.

Recently I have had TSA handle the lock situation 2 different ways. In Anchorage, the TSA agent inspected the case in front of me, then allowed me to lock it up.
In Seattle, the TSA agent allowed me to lock it up before being sent thru the screening machine. They asked me to stay present while they did it just in case they may want to look in the case after the screening. They did not.
Once TSA signs off on it, its OK until it leaves the US. No problems.

The only complications generally occur outside the US. They don't always recognize a TSA sticker as anything special. When transiting other countries (including Vancouver, Canada; Santiago, Chile and Johannesburg, South Africa) I have had to wait until they retrieve my bags so that they can inspect and/or retag the gun case and bags containing ammo.

When transiting through Joburg, they may try to make an issue about needing a SA gun permit. Sometimes this is a poorly trained person, sometimes an attempt to shake you down for a bribe. When transiting Joburg, you do not need a SA gun permit unless you are actually leaving the airport and entering SA.

Have a great trip!

Me and my friend used one case when traveling to Jberg with no problem. One of us checked the case and claimed it in Jberg. When we cleared the SAP we told them that both guns were in same case and it was no problem.

FWIW, My wife and my mother shared a guncase to Namibia once, and there were no problems whatsoever.

Just a thought but why don't you and your brother each carry half your ammo and half the others. That way if one guy's bags go missing, but the guns make it you'll both have at least half your ammo.

JPK

Erik D...
They no doubt fjound it more comfortable than coach in the SAA Airbus.

Isn't there a saying about putting all of your eggs in one basket?