Flying with rifles with mercury recoil tubes...

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11 August 2008, 02:07

viperidae

Flying with rifles with mercury recoil tubes...

For those that have done it how does it work?

Does the mercury have to be declared as a hazardous substance. Or, since it is encased in metal and in the stock have you just ignored it?

Has anyone ever had customs problems as a result?

11 August 2008, 02:14

dirklawyer

I've never heard of anyone having any problems, when you carry ammo you basically have gunpowder inside of a brass case, that's a hazardous substance.

11 August 2008, 03:05

LRH270

It never ceases to amaze me the way some people can invent problems out of thin air.

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11 August 2008, 03:08

Will

quote:
Originally posted by LRH270:
It never ceases to amaze me the way some people can invent problems out of thin air.

I'll second that.

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11 August 2008, 03:31

tradewinds

try explaining that to the gate agent

11 August 2008, 03:33

ForrestB

Just to be on the safe side when you get to the ticket counter, tell the airline clerk that you're carrying liquid mercury and a firearm in your checked luggage and that you probably should let the TSA agents know about it as well.

Be sure to check in at least 16 hours early to make certain you give yourself enough time to make the flight (without your rifle).

11 August 2008, 03:44

N E 450 No2

If you are worried about the Mecury recoil reducers, try the recoil reducer from Blaser.
It does not use Mercury, nor does it use a liquid.

11 August 2008, 03:51

Jim Manion

quote:
Originally posted by ForrestB:
Just to be on the safe side when you get to the ticket counter, tell the airline clerk that you're carrying liquid mercury and a firearm in your checked luggage and that you probably should let the TSA agents know about it as well.

Be sure to check in at least 16 hours early to make certain you give yourself enough time to make the flight (without your rifle).

Might as well add gunpowder and explosive primers to the list, in the interest of full disclosure, of course.

In that case, I doubt they would have concluded the ensuing body cavity safari within the 16 hour period. It certainly would be one hell of a hunt report.

11 August 2008, 04:10

boet

Why look for shit when shit is already looking for you. Shut the hell up!

11 August 2008, 05:35

510wells

quote:
Originally posted by boet:
Why look for shit when shit is already looking for you. Shut the hell up!

Or to put it another way.

"If you insist on looking for trouble you'll probably find it."

11 August 2008, 06:09

viperidae

Sorry guys, I was trying to ask a serious question. If I offended anyone I appologize but a simple "don't mention it" would have been more polite.

In the days of post 9-11 here in the U.S. I don't want to risk a 20K safari to a customs inspection.

Also, NE 450 No2 - thank you for the one helpful responses.

11 August 2008, 06:56

GeorgeS

I flew on October 31, 2001, with a rifle that has mercury tube recoil reducers; the rifle was x-rayed and no one seemed to care.

Don't volunteer information. If asked, be truthful.

George

11 August 2008, 07:12

500grains

I flew in Nov 2001 with 2 rifles containing merc tubs. Nobody cared. It is prohibited or something? The merc is sealed within a metal tube.

11 August 2008, 07:23

viperidae

Truthfully, I don't know what the regulations are and that is why I am asking. I am not new to big bore but am somewhat new to the greater than .458 realm where to me recoil starts to become an issue.

11 August 2008, 23:55

GarBy

Did it with a double 470 in '06.....never even thought to bring it up.....neither did "they".

Gary
DRSS
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SCI
DSC

12 August 2008, 05:54

fredj338

quote:
Originally posted by ForrestB:
Just to be on the safe side when you get to the ticket counter, tell the airline clerk that you're carrying liquid mercury and a firearm in your checked luggage and that you probably should let the TSA agents know about it as well.

Be sure to check in at least 16 hours early to make certain you give yourself enough time to make the flight (without your rifle).

Now that is funny!

I can barely get the TSA ot ticket people to understand I have a legal firearm in my luggage. I wouldn;t eveb want to try to explain what a mercury recoil reducer was & does. If it isn;t on the list of banned item, I'm not declaring anything that single me out.

12 August 2008, 08:00

Roger

quote:
Sorry guys, I was trying to ask a serious question. If I offended anyone I appologize but a simple "don't mention it" would have been more polite.

In the days of post 9-11 here in the U.S. I don't want to risk a 20K safari to a customs inspection.

Also, NE 450 No2 - thank you for the one helpful responses.

viperidae,

No need to appologize, I suspect you were concerned about the physics of a liquid, in a container, at altitude. Not sure, just a guess.
Like you, would hate to see 20 grand tossed around by the TSA.
Have a good hunt.

Roger QSL

12 August 2008, 08:58

Michael Robinson

Joke if you want to.

But mercury tubes brought down Pan Am Flight 103 (Gaddafi had nothing to do with it) and they caused the crash of TWA Flight 800 too (no missiles of any kind were involved).

I got all of this from a guy who LIVES in Area 51, in case any of you comedians might have any doubts.

12 August 2008, 09:45

LRH270

Hey, I live in Area 51. Right next door to it anyway.

Of course, it doesn't exist (wink, wink).

What you see on Google Earth is just a really big photo of an airstrip that they suspend from big poles to hide the nonexistant thing from satellites.

I have to go now and put on my tin foil hat and take my mercury recoil reducers for a walk.

______________________

RMEF Life Member
SCI
DRSS
Chapuis 9,3/9,3 + 20/20
Simson 12/12/9,3
Zoli 7x57R/12
Kreighoff .470/.470

We band of 9,3ers!

The Few. The Pissed. The Taxpayers.

12 August 2008, 18:19

Pegleg

I have a rifle with glow in the dark paint on the front sight. I'm told that it is radioactive. Guess I'd better leave it home.

12 August 2008, 18:36

adrook

Actually, I saw on a documentary where they mentioned that flying with mercury is prohibited. I'm sure that probably doesn't apply to mercury sealed into a recoil reducer in a rifle stock.

They said that it has been considered as a potential terrorist weapon because it almalgamates with aluminum and will severely weaken aluminum structures if they are contacted with it.

12 August 2008, 18:54

Will

quote:
they caused the crash of TWA Flight 800 too (no missiles of any kind were involved).

This I doubt. According to some, it was a missile. Swept under the carpet by Slick Willy.

12 August 2008, 20:15

Robgunbuilder

Let me give You some sage advice. When dealing with any national or local "authorities" at any level. Keep your mouth shut! Answer only the questions asked. Never volunteer any information. Never lie either. -Rob

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!

13 August 2008, 04:19

jetdrvr

Retired pilot who used to cross borders for a living. Rob's right.

13 August 2008, 04:26

chuck375

There's a saying: "Don't ask the question if you can't stand the answer ..."

Agree with Rob,

Chuck

13 August 2008, 04:29

GarBy

.....and Rob forgot to mention....all the while....SMILE.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

13 August 2008, 09:53

bowhuntrrl

quote:
Originally posted by tradewinds:
try explaining that to the gate agent

How would they know if you didn't tell them ??? It's enclosed in a tube, therefore not a problem.

13 August 2008, 12:56

N E 450 No2

A couple of times my Tuffpak with guns amme etc. has been sent through an X-Ray Machine.

I guess it could be possible that they see a liquid [ie the mercury in the stock} and want to check it out.

When it comes to security, nothing suprises me anymore.

13 August 2008, 19:54

Vlam

No problem with Mercury sealed in container as it is not subject to atmospheric conditions.
Mercury however in an unsealed container will boil at high altitude if not in a pressurized environment as it is already a liquid at room temperature and requires either heat or reduced air pressure to do so.
So no, your reducers are not a risk to the flight

13 August 2008, 23:34

Die Ou Jagter

You know funny things happen. A couple of years ago in RSA they pulled my carry on for a closer inspection and I had a hard time explaining the oval marks on the xray as they were Worthers Original candies in foil wrappers. Finally I just opened one and ate it.

14 August 2008, 03:01

Robgunbuilder

Its a gun, they really dont know that what they see on an Xray isnt supposed to be there. You dont know what they are looking at anyway.Most guns have long strong stock bolts that are way more interesting then a stupid tube.All The TSA guys and ladies I've delt with while travelling with guns are really pretty nice and they are more interested in asking about your trip anyway. By being "savy" to authority types and not volunteering any info about the gun, Ive had only very positive interactions to the point of their being very helpful and couterous. Keep all your documents handy and act like you know what your doing and have done it before and you wont have any issues anywhere.-Rob

14 August 2008, 20:36

Dr. Duc

Jagter,
I had the same thing happen with a pack of LifeSavers.

15 August 2008, 17:58

buffalo

quote:
Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Its a gun, they really dont know that what they see on an Xray isnt supposed to be there. You dont know what they are looking at anyway.Most guns have long strong stock bolts that are way more interesting then a stupid tube.All The TSA guys and ladies I've delt with while travelling with guns are really pretty nice and they are more interested in asking about your trip anyway. By being "savy" to authority types and not volunteering any info about the gun, Ive had only very positive interactions to the point of their being very helpful and couterous. Keep all your documents handy and act like you know what your doing and have done it before and you wont have any issues anywhere.-Rob

I agree 100% with Rob..