Ammo Boxes for Airlines

16 October 2001, 06:20

500grains

I am taking 2 rifles on safari. One is 470 capstick and the other is 585 nyati.

There are no factory ammo boxes available for these. In fact, there are no factory boxes that fit the 585 nyati at all.

What do you suggest I use in the way of ammo boxes to placate the ill-informed baggage check-in clerks?

16 October 2001, 07:26

p dog shooter

Your the factory, buy some plastic boxs use your computer to print some labels. You should know what to put on them. Then tell them that what factory puts them in.

16 October 2001, 08:29

<Fat Bastard>

Well, any box for cartridges based on the H&H head ought to work on the .470 Capstick, assuming the compartments don't have a shoulder or a taper. MTM and Midway both make a flip-top box with a grid of parallel partitions.

How about a plastic box for 12-gauge (MTM again) for the 585? I seem to recall they make one that holds 50 rounds with a little tool box-style tray on top. You could get some extra length by leaving out the tray.

This is the first time I've heard of a safari battery consisting of a heavy and a heavier.

Here it is. It wasn't a tool box tray I was thinking of, but as long as the 585 head is smaller than a 12-gauge round, this box will hold 50.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0003151210696a&navAction=push&navCount=6&indexId=&podId=0003151&catalogCode=IB&parentId=&parentType=&_DAR GS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=0003151210696a

[This message has been edited by Fat Bastard (edited 10-15-2001).]

16 October 2001, 08:57

500grains

Will those plastic MTM boxes pass muster?

If so, I already have some and just need to print labels.

However, the travel agent kept saying that I needed boxes that said Remington or Federal or something like that.

She also said never to admit that the cartridges are reloads or the airline staff will think they are homemade bombs.

Therefore I have factory loads that I loaded in my own factory.

Will that really do it?

[This message has been edited by 500grains (edited 10-15-2001).]

16 October 2001, 09:18

Nitroman

500,
FB has the right idea. I downloaded the Alaska Airlines corporate rules in case someone tried to give me a hard time. Pretty much, if it protects the primer you are good to go. Look up your airlines and they should have a corporate policy on ammo and such. Get those boxes and print your labels. Better yet, go to the local community college and throw $20 bucks at a starving graphic arts student and get some REAL good looking labels.

16 October 2001, 09:38

Recono

As you may know, some of the smaller companies actually use MTM boxes. In the '70's, I bought some Watkins Glen Hydrashock cartridges in .38Spl that came in an 18-round RED MTM box. Not cheap, either.

Don't know how this will format on the net, but I made a label which I haven't used yet:

MONTANA CARTRIDGE CO.
"We use Norma cases exclusively"

.416 RIGBY
400gr Hornady SP
2400fps

SPECIALISTS IN AFRICAN & OTHER
LARGE-BORE HUNTING CARTRIDGES

KALISPELL, MONTANA U. S. A

Note the casual explanation of the headstamp.

By the way, MCC pride themselves on the terminal effectiveness of their cartridges. As a matter of fact, their motto is "E=MCC."

16 October 2001, 20:29

<holtz>

Don't worry about it. I have been using plastic cases for over 20 years and no airline employee or customs officer has EVER challenged me on it. I stick a gum label on it with load info (make them up in the computer and print them out on a gum label sheet), slap it on the box and give the box a wrap of duct tape. Period.

p dog is right, if you handlaod, YOU are the manufacturer, so your case is "the factory box." The airlines are only concerned that the packaging is "safe", they don't want loose ammo rattling around. 80%+ of the time they don't even want to see it. Once in a while the clerk will ask if its in a "factory box", I say yes. End of conversation.

Steve

17 October 2001, 01:47

MacD37

http://huntingtons.com/PlasticBoxes.html

This will get you into the plastic boxes at HDS. The box you want is the slip top box, sizes are available up to 600 NE.

On your lables make yourself a company name and use your address at work. List the important things like bullet type/weight, velocity, and FPE if available. I don't know how these will hold in the post but this is mine!

...........DUGABOY DESIGNS < Large letters

...........1404 Fern Court < standard size

..........Kennedale,Texas USA <standard size

.............458 RCBS <large letters

.........400 Gr. SOLID BULLET < Large
..............2150 FPS < large

Cover these lables with postal tape, because the ink is water soluable from a printer. I put the lable on the side of the top cover, then go all the way around the box with the wide, clear, postal tape, effectively sealing the box as "UNOPENED".

I print my lables for soft points on RED printer paper, and my solids on GREEN paper. This not only makes them look profesionaly packaged, but makes them immediately recconizable without opening! I use "OFFICE 95" to make these lables. I type the lable six times on a page before printing, then save that as a master copy to make lables later, six at a time on my scanner/printer! I have never had anyone want to open the boxes to look at the individule rounds. These boxes are smoke colored, and are translucant, so the rounds can be seen through the box!

------------------
..Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

[This message has been edited by MacD37 (edited 10-16-2001).]

17 October 2001, 03:35

GeorgeS

Where are you headed, and when?

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

17 October 2001, 03:44

500grains

Guys, thanks for the input and reassurance.

George, I am going to ZIM with Roger Whittall safaris for a tuskless cow ele and a cape buffalo in Nov.

17 October 2001, 03:50

Nitroman

500,
One of my first safari videos was of Roger Whittall going after a bull ele. According to the flick he'll walk your legs off.

What are "buffalo beans"?

20 October 2001, 08:10

GeorgeS

Dan,
You're in good hands. I hunted with Roger's outfit before, and he knows how to take care of his clients.

Good hunting!
George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!