I recently purchased a T/C Encore with a 20" barrel in 460 S&W. I am planning a spring bear hunt somewhere in Canada and am wondering if I will have a hard time with this gun at Canadian Customs since it has a short barrel and is in a cailber that is usually found in handguns. I watched a guy at the airport in Winnepeg get raked over the coals about having 44mag ammo even though he had the rifle to go with it. They tore apart everything he had looking for a handgun. They finally let he and his rifle in, but gave him hell about it.

Never thought about that as a problem. 44 mag and 357 mag carbines are not all that uncommon in Canada. I used a Marlin in 357 Mag for a lot of years. I guess that the customs folk just aren't that knowlegeable on it.

The short barrel shouldn't be an issue if it was manufactured that way, and the total length of the rifle exceeds 26".

Everyone knows the 44 mag and 357 mag are handgun carts...I'll bet that the customs folk won't have a clue that the 460 S&W is too. As long as the ammo matches the rifle, I'd bet you'll be fine. You might want to contact the Canadian Firearms Center and pose the question to them. If you can get an answer in the affirmative, and in writing (like via e-mail), you can always present that to a customs official (who are often woefully ignorant of the firearms laws, like they seem to be everywhere).

I am not sure what they can give a guy hell about (like you witnessed in Winnipeg). I am not aware of anything in the statutes that says you can't import handgun ammo anyway.

Hopefully if someone knows differently they can enlighten us here.

Cheers,
Canuck

I know a few people who've been "raked over the coals" so-to-speak when bringing in rifles chambered for handgun cartridges. One fellow I was speaking with about black bear hunting mentioned his cousin flew in with a .44 Magnum carbine and a .308 Winchester rifle, they had no problems with the .308 but they scrutinized the .44 Magnum ammo, even though it was for a rifle. Must be because of more strict regulations surrounding handguns themselves. I wonder if the firearms center can send you some documentation on their policies to hand to the customs folks? They might not be aware of the regulations in this case and might have to call in for some verification or something.