There's a thread on the NitroExpress Forum started by 88MauSporter and I wondered if you folks had heard anything regarding it. I didn't link it because you need to be a member to read it, so I cut and pasted it below:

TSA Restricts .50 Caliber Ammunition
Quote from SCI:

It has recently come to the attention of SCI that the Transportation Security Administration has begun to restrict individuals from flying with .50 caliber ammunition. This does not prevent individuals from flying with their .50 cal or larger rifles, most notably being the .577 and the .505. SCI has been communicating with the NRA to have this current restriction lifted. To read NRA-ILA’s latest information please go to this link: http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=4002

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"A hunter should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everthing goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." 88MauSporter

I take this to read over .500, so chances are
good a .500ne might be OK if TSA didn't know
it was .510. The question is has anyone been
stopped for this "violation", or know anyone
who has had a problem??

I just hope NRA can do something positive. This
might not look like such a big problem to them
compared to other issues which affect thousands.

I had hell a few years back with my 577,but got through....last year,they took my 4 bore ammo but left my 600 ammo alone! Go figure! (It was on the return trip,thank goodness!..It seems it really depends on who you get checking this stuff...Not consistent and that could ruin a Safari! Good Luck NRA!

I almost had my last hunt destroyed by TSA in Houston. They flatly refused to let me on the plane with my 577 Ammo. They are a law unto themselves. You have no recourse. DO NOT MARK YOUR AMMO WITH ANYTHING BIGGER THAN .500 THEY WILL TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU. IF EVERY ONE ON THIS SIGHT WROTE THEIR CONGRESSMAN THERE WOULD BE SOME HOPE. But until then do not try to get on a plane with ammo that is marked greater than .500. You might make it but believe me it will just be because of an over sight on their part.
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Safarikid: How did you "get through" with the
.577-any tips would help.

If it is true that the problem is with flying with ammo (though I thought, in another thread, that the rifle's caliber is also a problem), is it possible to ship the ammo via another carrier and get it at your destination?

What about shipping unloaded cases to have them loaded at the destination?

Just trying to find a way to actually use my 600 Overkill for its intended target (Cape Buffalo) in the next year or so.

What about brass-colored labels or machined, stick-on pseudo-heads with a headstamp of say 500 PCY? Upon arrival pull the pseudo-headstamp off then re-apply upon departure for the States again?

quote:

Originally posted by 577ne:
Safarikid: How did you "get through" with the
.577-any tips would help.

Got Lucky!..I would say mark the box of 500,577 or bigger with .470..that may get you by and when you get to Africa,if they want to see that ammo matchs gun as some coutries do,then show them the headstamp and your good to go! Good Luck!

Although we as Americans are the best at finding ways to get around the idiot beuraucrats, the most productive thing we all can do at this time is write NRA-ILA and SCI to let them know how many of us are out here and also show support for their efforts. Then we need to get on the phone to our esteemed Federal representatives and give them an earfull. If we don't do it, nobody else will.

Both SCI and the NRA have been notified of this situation and this issue was raised by BIGFIVEBORES on the Doubles forum. This is the age of the "DEATH OF COMMON SENSE".

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
Although we as Americans are the best at finding ways to get around the idiot beuraucrats, the most productive thing we all can do at this time is write NRA-ILA and SCI to let them know how many of us are out here and also show support for their efforts. Then we need to get on the phone to our esteemed Federal representatives and give them an earfull. If we don't do it, nobody else will.

Bitterroot,

I agree 100% - we need to let the elected officials who are supposed to represent our interests know what our interests are. We might be surprised that there are people out there who will actually support us. Whether it is out of true representation, their own beliefs or fear of losing their elected seat matters less to me than getting the job done.
We do have some supporters as evidenced in this thread:

Assemblywoman Casagrande's response

We need to put some pressure on these folk, it is the only way to win in the end, but it will probably take some time and effort on the part of more than just SCI and the NRA.

Might be helpful to know what SCI and NRA are currently doing so that efforts here are better directed.

quote:

What about shipping unloaded cases to have them loaded at the destination?

Just trying to find a way to actually use my 600 Overkill for its intended target (Cape Buffalo) in the next year or so.

I’m of the same mind set…

TSA issues aside there is still the opportunity to have your 600 ammo lost or stolen in transit…

It’s my understanding that the TSA issue is with transporting the ammo and not the rifle anyway…

Either way, Id bet that there isn’t a lot of Overkill ammo lying around anywhere in Africa…

There has to be away to get some ammo to your PH to insure that its there for your hunt…

I’m booked for August 09 and am going to talk to my PH about it…

If there are any other Overkill owners whom are in the same quandary, we should talk at least to see what we could come up with…

Matt V.

I think shipping ammo ahead regardless of caliber is a good idea. Your PH may have 375 H&H, 458 Win Mag and maybe Lott but probably not much else. Get it there a month ahead and you can rest easy. I will be doing just that for a hunt scheduled in October here in the states.
The TSA's issue is with the ammo, not the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
I will be doing just that for a hunt scheduled in October here in the states.

And just what hunt would that be?

quote:

I think shipping ammo ahead regardless of caliber is a good idea.

+1

UPS and Fedex are a darn bit more reliable than any airline!

LWD

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:

quote:

I think shipping ammo ahead regardless of caliber is a good idea.

+1

UPS and Fedex are a darn bit more reliable than any airline!

LWD

True...

So how does one go about shipping ammo to Africa?

I'm wondering if this has less to do with it being 50 BMG, and more an issue with API ammo that contains a IATA prohibited material.

quote:

So how does one go about shipping ammo to Africa?

I'm afraid you'll need an export permit for that. Which means you'll need an export license, or will have to pay someone who does have one. Unfortunately, unless you're sending alot of ammo, it's probably not cost effective.

quote:

I'm afraid you'll need an export permit for that. Which means you'll need an export license, or will have to pay someone who does have one. Unfortunately, unless you're sending alot of ammo, it's probably not cost effective.

Cost effective no...

But perhaps worth it as to have some insurance on your ammo being there...

I'd really have to have some idea of the cost and factor that into the total cost of my trip before I decided whether or not it was $$$ prohibitive....

For the sake of assumption, let’s assume you had everything together or the USA side…

What red tape would there be on the receiving end in Africa?

How do PH’s get there ammo over there anyway?

Matt V.

IMO the sad thing about this is that the hunting community is making this an even bigger issue. I realize it is already and issue because some of you have already been harassed by TSA personel who check headstamps. The truth of the matter is the more we contact the TSA, etc. about this issue we are educating them to the fact that a 500 N.E. is actually .510 and the 505 is of course .505 (Contacts of NRA, SCI, etc. is the way to go). If we keep kindling the fire on this issue the next thing we'll see from TSA is that they will memo all TSA personel to double check the ammo boxes and head stamps. What I'm trying to say is we need to make sure we're not EDUCATING THESE GUYS AND LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE! To date I've never had TSA personel check my ammo with a fine tooth comb and I go to Africa about once a year and I take along a 500N.E. I believe the more silent we are the more uneducated the TSA reps will be. It may be too late for that and I may be wrong, just my two cents worth.

dirklawyer, I totally agree. SCI and NRA-ILA say they are working on this issue. We must call them, give them support, and let them know how many of us there are out here. We need to keep on top of this, but leave dumb (US State Dept) and dumber (TSA) alone.

My friend handloads all his own ammo (none over .50 cal) and he has official looking labels and everything. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. The brand he put on his ammo if SFB, Inc. Yes, it could stand for San Francisco Bay, but actually stands for "Some F--king Bureaucrat"

Nice

There is another long thread on this issue. It actually comes down to the participation of the United States in a Treaty that controls the export of weapons of war. The language of the agreement of concern does not allow things larger than 50 caliber.

Talk to your Congress and Senator persons as that is the only real avenue for a long term solution.

Is one of the main reasons I have not chosen to acquire anything that large.

Try this threat for more insight:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=333105637#333105637