Getting ready for a trip to Johannesburg and the agent just told me that I need a locking ammo box. Can't find anything at Midway or Brownells, and all I have is a steel, military-type box that's way too big and heavy. Always before I've simply used a regular 50 rd plastic box and put it in with the checked luggage, with no problems.

Do one of you smart guys have a solution?

Thanks

I believe the small Pelicans are popular - 1120(?) I think is common?

Jerry,

The small pelican is light and bullet proof. I've been using one for 30 years. Just about right for 4 boxes of ammo.

Mark

Small metal cash box from Amazon or ebay costing a few bucks satisfies them.

I’ve used an MTM drybox for years, blaze orange. Will easily hold 50 round cartridge box of large cartridges.

I've been using a Pelican 1200 in bright blaze orange for almost 10 years without complaint. I bring 2-3 sets of TSA locks because they invariably keep cutting them off. Comfortably holds 4 boxes of ammo. In camp, it turns into my lockbox for cash, small electronics (airpods, and paperwork if a safe is not available in room.

I've got the Pelican.

I just noticed that the local farm store has a pile of cheap(er) Chinese knock offs that I might try if I didn't have the Pelican. You could try Harbor Freight too.

I have used a plastic hard case that originally held a Kimber or Sig pistol. Just about any of the hard pistol cases that come with a pistol these days have provisions to attach two padlocks. Take out the foam, and they hold 3-4 boxes of ammo, depending on caliber. Cheap (you probably already have one) and very light weight. I have used this type of case for 10+ trips recently.
Bill

Thanks, guys. This should do it.

I've gone on 15 hunts that required commercial flying. I've used my handloaded ammo on all of my hunts, and had the cartridges in 20 round MTN plastic boxes. For a few of my first trips I put those MTN boxes in a kids Shrek plastic lunch box that I had drilled a hole through the front of the top and bottom pieces that I could lock with a TSA padlock.

Then for a few trips I used a clear orange plastic box that I pop riveted a hasp on for the TSA padlock.

My last trips I've used hard plastic "Survivor" dry box that has holes for a lock.


Use only TSA locks on your ammo box, and I also attach a baggage identification card on it.

Airlines limit your ammo box to 11 pounds, and some countries, like Mozambique limit you to 40 cartridges for each rifle. Other African countries also charge you for each cartridge that you bring in.

I connected from Joburg to Windhoek the next day and was required to check my pelican ammo box separately. That's an Airlink rule I believe.