When I travel to Zim next monrh, should I remove the snap caps from my rifle for the trip? Will seeing them in the rifle cause great concern for the airort security?

I would leave the snap caps home. It will just cause you grief at the airport, no one is going to know what they are, they will not believe that they are inert, etc. Besides, not sure why you would need snap caps on a hunt anyway.

Definitely leave them out. TSA was ready to ship me off to Guantanamo Bay just for having them in my gun case.

"..you lied when you said you had no ammunition..."

"...this could be made into a working projectile..."

It would have been hilarious if it wasn't so pathetic that these are the people responsible for airport security.

I will add my "leave 'em behind" comment also. I watched a hunter with a fine double and gold snap caps open his case and action to show the TSA and his snap caps came flying out. I was checking in next to him and saw the horror on the TSA agent's face. The next thing I know armed security was escorting him and he was loudly protesting. No idea if he made his flight, but I'll bet he didn't have much fun explaining what a snap cap does.

I don't quite understand the need for snap caps on a hunt either. Aren't they used when you want to store your guns and relieve the spring tension? How much storage are you going to do on a hunt? Just another potential for an unpleasant trip interruption in some beaurocrat's basement office.

Leave them home. You'll avoid a myriad of problems. (See all of the comments above) Snap caps are good for storing your double at home. Plus, a rifle is technically not unloaded with anything placed or found in the chambers, including snap caps. On my trip to the Zambezi Valley in June of this year, the snap caps for my Searcy 450-400 were taken out and left home for the very reasons stated above.

Being new to DR's should I dry fire it to relieve the spring tension?

Thanks

Hartley

not necessary to relieve springs during hunt.

I don't, as there is nothing for the firing pins to strike with the snap caps removed. Others may tell you differently.