Ok.. I know there are a dozen postings on this subject, and am some what embarrassed to be posting another.. But it seems it's never been settled about packing your ammo inside your locked rifle case vs as separate locked checked baggage.. I really cringe at separate check in for the ammo, just seems to add to the already too high percentage of being lost/stolen in SA or in my case SA & Zim. Always packed ammo in gun case on previous trips..

Btw... In my case, no over night in SA in either direction..

Simple answer is TSA doesn't care, but some airlines prohibit it and some countries likewise. You must declare your ammo and it is subject to inspection, therefore I always packed it in my duffle which then allowed me to use a non-TSA padlock on the duffle. If you have to open your guncase, it's just as easy to also open your duffle, and using your own padlock adds a security dimension to your duffle.

Bottom line is you always need to check with the airline you are flying and the country you are hunting.

Lion Hunter is spot on. TSA will let you pack ammo with your gun, but South African Airways will not. On my last trip, upon check in at Dulles TSA asked why I had my ammo separate in my duffel bag and not in the gun case. I had to tell them about SAA rules.

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
Lion Hunter is spot on. TSA will let you pack ammo with your gun, but South African Airways will not. On my last trip, upon check in at Dulles TSA asked why I had my ammo separate in my duffel bag and not in the gun case. I had to tell them about SAA rules.

Thanks guy's..

Here's my theory/plan..

As I'm departing US/Delta, I'll pack my ammo with my guns..

As I'm departing Zim/SAA I'll pack my ammo in my luggage..

Loosing Ammo/luggage on the way out, doesn't worry me near as much as on the way in.

quote:

Originally posted by MopaneMike:

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
Lion Hunter is spot on. TSA will let you pack ammo with your gun, but South African Airways will not. On my last trip, upon check in at Dulles TSA asked why I had my ammo separate in my duffel bag and not in the gun case. I had to tell them about SAA rules.

Thanks guy's..

Here's my theory/plan..

As I'm departing US/Delta, I'll pack my ammo with my guns..

As I'm departing Zim/SAA I'll pack my ammo in my luggage..

Loosing Ammo/luggage on the way out, doesn't worry me near as much as on the way in.

So are you just putting the factory boxed ammo in your checked suitcase and locking it OR are you putting the ammo in a separate locked case inside of your suitcase?

Delta rules say - in a separate locked case inside your suitcase.

Dogcat is correct. Delta asks me every single time if I Have my ammo separately packed.

Yep- you guys are right on Delta- and it sucks, cause last time to Zim, I got my guns and no ammo (or clothes)!

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Delta rules say - in a separate locked case inside your suitcase.

And I believe that is the way the authorities in South Africa like it.

quote:

Originally posted by MopaneMike:

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
Lion Hunter is spot on. TSA will let you pack ammo with your gun, but South African Airways will not. On my last trip, upon check in at Dulles TSA asked why I had my ammo separate in my duffel bag and not in the gun case. I had to tell them about SAA rules.

Thanks guy's..

Here's my theory/plan..

As I'm departing US/Delta, I'll pack my ammo with my guns..

As I'm departing Zim/SAA I'll pack my ammo in my luggage..

Loosing Ammo/luggage on the way out, doesn't worry me near as much as on the way in.

That's what I usually do and, so far no problems.

I say "usually" because this last time there wasn't room in my luggage for the ammo, so I packed it in a separate small lockable Pelican case for both in-Africa and the trip home. No problems with that either.

Per Delta's Website:

•Ensure small arms ammunition is packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, plastic or metal boxes and provide separation for cartridges.

This is what I use. About $12.00 at Lowes including the locks. Just hunted Zimbabwe in May and SAPS, SA and Zim want it in a separate locked
container.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:

quote:

Originally posted by MopaneMike:

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
Lion Hunter is spot on. TSA will let you pack ammo with your gun, but South African Airways will not. On my last trip, upon check in at Dulles TSA asked why I had my ammo separate in my duffel bag and not in the gun case. I had to tell them about SAA rules.

Thanks guy's..

Here's my theory/plan..

As I'm departing US/Delta, I'll pack my ammo with my guns..

As I'm departing Zim/SAA I'll pack my ammo in my luggage..

Loosing Ammo/luggage on the way out, doesn't worry me near as much as on the way in.

So are you just putting the factory boxed ammo in your checked suitcase and locking it OR are you putting the ammo in a separate locked case inside of your suitcase?

[/quote]are you putting the ammo in a separate locked case inside of your suitcase?[/QUOTE]

Yes, for return trip I was planning on this option with the addition of suitcase also being locked..

Ok... Straight from delta website:

I can only assume ammunition is considered shooting equipment..
...............................................

Rifles and Shotguns

Delta will accept firearms and shooting equipment packaged as follows:

* One gun case containing up to a total of four rifles or shotguns, plus shooting materials, and tools
* One gun case containing up to five handguns, one scope, and tools
* One bow and quiver of arrows and maintenance kit enclosed in a case or container of sufficient strength to protect the bow and quiver from accidental damage

An excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than two rifles. You can check up to two shotguns and two shotgun cases. Ammunition is limited to 11 lbs. (5 kg). An excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than two shotguns.
................................................



You can bring pistols and accessories as checked baggage as long as they are included in one pistol case and contain:

* No more than five pistols
* Pistol telescopes
* Noise suppressers
* A small pistol tool case
* No more than 11 lbs. (5 kg) of ammunition

An excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than five pistols.
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Rifles and Shotguns

Delta will accept firearms and shooting equipment packaged as follows:

* One gun case containing up to a total of four rifles or shotguns, plus shooting materials, and tools
* One gun case containing up to five handguns, one scope, and tools
* One bow and quiver of arrows and maintenance kit enclosed in a case or container of sufficient strength to protect the bow and quiver from accidental damage

An excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than two rifles. You can check up to two shotguns and two shotgun cases. Ammunition is limited to 11 lbs. (5 kg). An excess baggage fee will apply to cases containing more than two shotguns.

Shooting equipment is accepted as checked baggage only. It must fit within the very specific criteria that we outline below.

* Declare to the Delta representative that you are checking a firearm
* Declare the existence of a firearm to security personnel if a security checkpoint is prior to the Delta counter
* All firearms must be declared by the passenger to a Delta representative at the main ticket counter
* Present firearm(s) unloaded and sign a "Firearms Unloaded" declaration
* Firearms must be packed in a manufacturer’s hard–sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case, or a locked hard–sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard–sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft–sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
* Maintain entry permits in your possession for the country or countries of destination or transit
* Ensure small arms ammunition is packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood, plastic or metal boxes and provide separation for cartridges

If you need to travel with a weapon as checked baggage, you are responsible for knowledge of and compliance with all Federal, State, or Local laws regarding the possession and transportation of firearms. TSA locks are not approved for securing firearms. For more information about this regulation you can visit the TSA site.

If you are transporting a firearm to the United Kingdom as checked baggage, a permit from the United Kingdom is specifically required. You must contact the United Kingdom for more information about securing this permit.

Ammunition in excess of 11 lbs. per passenger or that contains potential projectiles is not allowed.

quote:

Originally posted by BOWHUNR:
This is what I use. About $12.00 at Lowes including the locks. Just hunted Zimbabwe in May and SAPS, SA and Zim want it in a separate locked
container.

Mike

I like that!

I was planning on using a small Pelican case for return trip.. On the way in the case would be in my luggage filled by shaving bag and the small do-dads that will go in a Ziplock for returnflight..

Do people really still use suitcases? Do they even still make suitcases? I haven't heard that term even mentioned for awhile. I thought duffle type bags were the going thing now?? Suitcases, don't want no lousy suitcases!!

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Yes Larry, they do. I'm using a brand new, hard-side, with no zippers and built in combination TSA locks, Samsonite suitcase for this upcoming trip. I am tired of theft in Africa from zippered bags.

I'm still using the duffel Uncle Sam issued to me..

Does Delta charge excess baggage fees for gun cases containing two guns but weigh over 50lbs? Has anyone have the airline actually weigh the ammo separately? On the last line of Delta's rules, doesn't all ammo by definition contain potential projectiles?

UEG - Thanks for the update. I live in a small town and don't get out much I guess? What make and model do you use, might just check it out. Know what you mean by the theft thing.
The Pelican type case I use for ammo would work for in applications.


Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Yes Larry, they do. I'm using a brand new, hard-side, with no zippers and built in combination TSA locks, Samsonite suitcase for this upcoming trip. I am tired of theft in Africa from zippered bags.

Just FYI,
The box with three spare locks, 60 rounds of 300 gr. .375 H&H and 60 rounds of 140 gr. 7X57 weighed 11 lbs. 2 oz. on a certified postal scale. I also have a label on the front that reads:

ATTENTION TSA
If lock is cut, please replace with lock located inside of box.

Mike