Shipping >.50 caliber ammo

29 May 2008, 01:37

In reading the UPS rules and regs ad nauseum, it seems as if I can not ship my 600 OK ammo to MT (or anywhere else) via UPS.

Here is what I found:
Title 49 CFR states in Chapter 1, section 173.63 the packaging exceptions to full regulation. Under that section, (b) Cartridges, small arms, may be reclassed, and offered for transportation, and transported as ORMâ€“D material when packaged in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section; such transportation is excepted from the requirements of subparts E (Labeling) of part 172 of this subchapter. Cartridges, small arms, and cartridges power devices that may be shipped as ORMâ€“D material is limited to:

Under this â€œlimited toâ€ section, there is item (i) Ammunition for rifle, pistol or shotgun; and (iv) Ammunition not exceeding 12.7 mm (50 caliber or 0.5 inch) for rifle or pistol, cartridges or 8 gauge for shot shells.

This is the critical part to shipping ammunition. If it is 50 caliber or less, or 8 gauge or less, UPS will take the shipment in a sturdy box marked with a ORM-D, Cartridges, Small Arms label on the outside of the box.

Unfortunately, all my brass is primed making it "Dangerous Goods" subject to the above. I really did not want to "check" anything as my rifle has already gone via UPS to AHR.

Any other suggestions?

29 May 2008, 02:17

ruger270

I would say that shipping primed brass would be just fine. The regulations refer to "ammunition", and primed brass is not ammuniiton.

29 May 2008, 02:44

GeorgeS

You can ship primed brass via US Postal Service.

George

29 May 2008, 03:48

jeffeosso

8 gage ... 12 ga slugs are .720

29 May 2008, 04:15

wrongtarget

quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
You can ship primed brass via US Postal Service.

George

Primed brass is prohibited from mailing by the USPS since primers themselves are classified as a non-mailable explosive.

quote:
341.21 Nonmailable Explosives
Nonmailable explosives found in the mailstream must be immediately reported in accordance with POM 139.117.

Nonmailable explosives include, but are not limited to, the following:

c. Small Arms Ammunition. Ammunition is classified as a Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 explosive, depending on the degree of hazard. Ammunition that is regulated as a Class 1 explosive and designed to be fired from a pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun, as well as associated primers and blank cartridges (including those designed for tools) and propellant powder for use in any firearm, is prohibited from mailing.

http://pe.usps.gov/text/pub52/pub52c3_004.html#NL508_26

Primed brass does not require a hazmat fee when shipped by UPS ground just the same as ammo.

29 May 2008, 05:00

Robgunbuilder

Why do you think I invented the 12 GaFH? Just for insane amounts of power? No! I invented it to legally avoid ALL THIS STUPIDITY particularily in the Commie state of Kalifornia! BTW are we talking about UPS or USPS? UPS doesn't look at anything in a sealed box as far as I can tell. In fact there is no one who works for UPS who could tell .5 inches from .6! Use of Rulers in not taught in grade 5 anymore.-Rob

29 May 2008, 05:04

GeorgeS

wrongtarget,

You may not mail primers, but primed brass is neither ammunition nor primers.

CCMdoc,

You can check with sellers of primed brass, like Midway. USPS is a shipping option.

George

29 May 2008, 05:09

wrongtarget

GeorgeS,

Sorry George, that's not true, I posted the USPS regs for ya, show me a regulation that says otherwise. What part of primers and blank cartridges being non-mailable do you not understand?

Tim
USPS retired

29 May 2008, 05:14

Macifej

quote:
Why do you think I invented the 12 GaFH? Just for insane amounts of power? No! I invented it to legally avoid ALL THIS STUPIDITY particularily in the Commie state of Kalifornia!

You should have read the law more carefully then you wouldn't have wasted all that time!!

29 May 2008, 05:18

Macifej

quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
wrongtarget,

You may not mail primers, but primed brass is neither ammunition nor primers.

CCMdoc,

You can check with sellers of primed brass, like Midway. USPS is a shipping option.

George

GCA states that any component of ammunition is considered ammunition. What that has to do with individual shippers rules I couldn't tell ya!!
Yep! even inert solid metal bullets not loaded are considered ammunition and yes you need an FFL to manufacture them for sale.

29 May 2008, 08:21

Robgunbuilder

Macifej- the 12GaFH is a 12 Ga shotgun. Thats how its registered with the DOJ. It will fire 12 Ga shotshells and thus is classified as a shotgun. 12 guage slugs are not considered destructive devices and there is no weight restriction on 12 Ga slugs. Trust me I spent quite ba bit of time with them on this. After all I make my living by carefully reading the LAW and getting solid interpretations of it. -Rob

29 May 2008, 08:30

Macifej

Yeah me too!!

Guess the shotun provision was the impetus for the endeavor as it gives you somewhat of a universal "no touchy" classification. I was thinking of your referece to California law. No different than the Federal Law regarding DD Exemption although I could see how a cursury reading could lead one to believe there may be.

Anyway - is that infernal SL-10 fully up to speed yet cause I need some (big) parts run!!

29 May 2008, 19:52

GeorgeS

quote:
Originally posted by wrongtarget:
GeorgeS,

Sorry George, that's not true, I posted the USPS regs for ya, show me a regulation that says otherwise. What part of primers and blank cartridges being non-mailable do you not understand?

Tim
USPS retired

Tim,
I believe you are making an overly broad interpretation of the phrase 'associated primers'.

The regs do not prohibit primed cases. I have received primed brass from Midway and others over the years, most of it delivered via USPS because their service is better than UPS.

Paul,

AHR sells both ammunition and cases for .500"+ cartridges. Ask them what carrier they use.

George

29 May 2008, 19:59

congomike

Since the original question was shipping over 50 caliber ammo, how does A-Square, AHR, Quality Cartridge, the dealer for Kynoch, or any of the other manufacturers of over 50 cal. ship their ammo?
I bought some 577 3" for a project I was considering and it came via UPS. Not wanting to start a

contest, but since the ammo for all the over 50 caliber British cartridges is out there, and there are shooters who use those cartridges, there has to be someway to ship them!!

29 May 2008, 20:42

Robgunbuilder

Guys- UPS works just fine for this stuff and has for years and years. Stop making a mountain out of a molehill. We have better things to do,-Rob

29 May 2008, 21:59

Cheechako

quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:. . . The regs do not prohibit primed cases. I have received primed brass from Midway and others over the years, most of it delivered via USPS . . .George

George

I am a cartridge collector and ship and receive a lot of cartridges via UPS Ground and can tell you positively, without a doubt, that primed brass cannot be shipped via USPS. I know that a lot of primed brass and loaded ammo has been shipped USPS but it is illegal and anyone doing so is taking a chance.

I find it hard to believe that Midway shipped you primed brass via USPS. Especially when their own catalog specifically says it can be shipped only by UPS Ground.

Ray

29 May 2008, 22:44

GeorgeS

I haven't bought primed brass in a while, having laid in a good supply. Perhaps the regs have changed since those halcyon days.

In any case, some means of shipping primed cases and ammunition for the big rounds must exist, since AHR and others (Quality Cartridges, Superior Ammunition, et al.) are doing so.

George