I have a digital scale for 1-100 grams. The following cartridges were weighed. You get 5 kg (5000grams) of ammo on a commercial flight.

Fed 300 gr 375 H&H w/steel case 41grams
w/brass case 40.8 gm
Fed 500 gr 458 Win w/steel 53 gm
Fed 400 gr 458 Win w/steel 44.6gm
Hornady 500 gr 458 Win/brass 52 gm
Fed 180 gr 30/06 w/brass 28.4 gm
Fed 140 gr 270 Win w/steel 25.5
A-square 500 gr 470 NE 61.1

Thus 100 cartridges of 458 500gr would be slightly over the 5 KG, but 50 of 458 and 50 375 will be at 4.5 KG

Thanks for that,i was going to take 60 rounds of 375 to Australia,ill take a few more now.

On four trips to Africa, I've never had anyone ask to weigh my ammo.

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
On four trips to Africa, I've never had anyone ask to weigh my ammo.

George

Mine either...frankly I doubt that the airlines employees have a clue what the regulations are anyway!!!

10 of us went to SA in April and most of us had our ammo weighed. I was over by 1 pound and the counter woman (Atlanta Airport)stated she has to confisticate 1 pound. A heavy duty argument ensued and I got to keep my ammo. Do not take for granted that you will get away with anything as they seem to be getting anal about what the regs. are. On another note, I packed my ammo in with my rifle/handguns and had no problem in Phila. but the same ticket lady in Atlanta blew a head gasket and was going to report the Philly folks to the authorities for allowing this. Looking back on this it is easier to just comply than to waste your time argueing about this stuff.

Remember you're going to need some sort of packaging as well. It would be a pain to have them (or you) pull each cartridge out of the boxes/containers to weigh them as strict ammo weight.

On three trips I've had my ammo weighed only once. The bizarre thing is that it was on a return trip. I was well under weight when I left home and was 15 or 20 rounds short going home. The inspector in Windhoek nailed me as being overweight on ammo (as I recall it weighed something around 3kg with packaging at that point) and the supervisor had to be called to straighten it out.

In most cases it would probably be best to leave the ammo with the PH but on that trip I only had Weatherby ammo and the PH absolutely HATED anything but old "traditional" cartridges and he would have promptly thrown it away.

Even if you have sighting situations arise, bouts with missitous and are taking a bunch of animals 5kg is plenty of ammo on most trips.

Kyler

Can't take much 12GA ammo on the plane
1 1/4oz loads are just over 1kg per 25 rounds.

Where I said "steel case", I should have said "nickel-plated"

I think the basic rule of thumb is 100 rounds of 375 with boxes is safely within the 5 kg limit. Having said that though I personally tend to take far less ammo. I used to take my limit and Sadie's too but I found I was bring most of it back with me. The most I ever shot on one safari was 45 rounds and I killed 23 animals a couple of which did not die easily. I truly think that 60 rounds total will get a guy through most any safari even a fairly lengthy one.

Mark

I have had German Customs weigh my ammo. The guy said I was close to the limit and inferred that if I had been over he would take all the ammo. I was planning to just hand him a few cartridges until I met weight limit.

Do what I do. Split your ammo up. Place it is different bags or different places in the bag. if they ask, pull out one bunch and gladly show it to them. Works every time.

Canuck showed me the molded plastic MTM SW100 shotshell case. It easily holds an MTM R-60 (which holds 60 rounds of 416 Rem), plus an MTM J-20 (20 rounds of 416 Rem), with room left over inside to pack some cleaning materials. It has a lock tab for a small padlock molded in so it meets that troublesome "locked hardcase" requirement that seems to drift in and out of enforcement.

There is a "choke tube" case that snaps onto the outside top that could hold some small bits of cleaning gear, but this compartment will not lock.

Alternatively, the literature says it will hold 100 rounds of 3" 12 gauge shells in their original boxes.

The box is just under 10-3/16 x 6 x 7 " outside and the main compartment is roughly 4.5"T x 5-3/5"W x 8-5/8"L. The handles and hinges are sturdy, and the top edges of the bottom are captive in slots on the top when closed.

I have been to Africa twice, and had my cartridges counted once, but never weighed. One ticket agent in Cincinnati asked me where my ammo was and how much my ammo weighed, but stopped moving towards my bag when I confidently answered "1.7 kgs" - a number I made up on the spot.

Sgraves,
Many thanks. I've yet to have ammo weighed either, but you must know in case of the need to dispose of some...
Regards, Tim