Checking ammo separately

[Russ16]

So I’ve never flown internationally with ammo. In fact been a long time since I flew with ammo. On domestic trips I always ship ammo ahead to my destination well in advance. Internationally I’ve always used local ammo as I’ve mainly done bird hunts.

But I’m doing a European trip this year and need to check some rifle ammo. Reading here it sounds like most people put a locked case in their checked bag. But I never check a bag other than my rifle. I’m a light packer did 3 weeks in Europe this summer out of a backpack well under the carry on limit.

So gets my question. Does it make sense to just buy a pelican case appropriately sized for ammo and check that by itself? Has anyone down this? Or should I sick it up and check a luggage bag which I hate to do.

 

[Challer]

Well you’re already checking guns, ammo. I cannot why adding your clothes changes the equation.

 

[Dinsdale]

I also travel light, so I have several times just checked a rifle and a small ammo only case. It's aluminum, but I'd use a pelican or clone without reservation. Never have had a issue because it's smaller if that's your worry?

 

[BeeMaa]

Live on the edge and check a bag with some clothes and throw in the ammo.

I have a couple of Pelican cases for sale in the classifieds if you are interested.
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-and-pelican-1200-60-shipping-included.86782/

 

[Russ16]

Well you’re already checking guns, ammo. I cannot why adding your clothes changes the equation.

I don’t know something about checking clothes irritates me. I travel a lot for work (150,00 or so miles a year for two decades) and never check anything except guns or golf clubs.

It also kind of screws up my program if I check a bag I still need a carry in for my book/computer etc so now I have an extra bag.

 

[Russ16]

I also travel light, so I have several times just checked a rifle and a small ammo only case. It's aluminum, but I'd use a pelican or clone without reservation. Never have had a issue because it's smaller if that's your worry?

Yeah I don’t know why but the idea of a small pelican checked by itself just seems like a recipe for getting lost. Maybe because I only check large items.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Either way you need a pelican case. Buy a cheap carry on to midsize suitcase Put your ammo inside it in the locked Pelican case. Fill up the void with clothes. Or bubble wrap. Or paper. Less chance of loss or walking off, I’m thinking.

 

[JimP]

If you don't want to check a bag with the ammo in it just have your outfitter in Europe pick up some ammo for you.

You can also check your airlines policy as for traveling with ammo to see if it is required to be outside of the checked firearms case.

 

[Dinsdale]

Yeah I don’t know why but the idea of a small pelican checked by itself just seems like a recipe for getting lost. Maybe because I only check large items.

Here's what changed my similar thought, I did several flights from Joberg to other airports in SA. They wanted the ammo case separate.

Next trip , I left all my gear there so no checked bag on the way home just rifle and ammo case, flew home including a connecting flight from Windhoek through Joberg with no issues.

After that I did the whole process from home airport and several flights with carry on, just checking the ammo and rifle case.

Half a dozen trips later no issues.Just my experience.

 

[BeeMaa]

Here's what changed my similar thought, I did several flights from Joberg to other airports in SA. They wanted the ammo case separate.

Next trip , I left all my gear there so no checked bag on the way home just rifle and ammo case, flew home including a connecting flight from Windhoek through Joberg with no issues.

After that I did the whole process from home airport and several flights with carry on, just checking the ammo and rifle case.

Half a dozen trips later no issues.Just my experience.

Regular combo/key locks or TSA approved locks on the ammo case?

 

[Dinsdale]

Regular combo/key locks or TSA approved locks on the ammo case?

Regular locks on gun case and ammo case.

I either take a long case or a pelican short case if I have a Blaser knocked down for rifle(s).

I have a trophy place engrave me name tags that are pop riveted to the cases with my contact info. Ammo case is in the top basket of the trolly.

60 rounds in the ammo case which was specifically built to house 3 of the Federal size boxes. Unfortunately no longer made. 3 different airlines both from JFK and Dulles and no one has ever asked for a different lock, nor in Harare,Joberg,Windhoek…..etc.

Carry on gets a change of clothes, binoculars,bird books, incidentals and a pair of slip ons for both plane and camp shoes. I wear very light hikers to hunt and sometimes I just wear them on the plane, sometimes I switch out when boarding. I would add I’m only interested in hot weather hunts, so I never need to pack jackets,hats,gloves and such. I bring cash for tips, no do-dads to hand out, so easy to pack light.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Regular combo/key locks or TSA approved locks on the ammo case?

airlines say TSA locks on ammo, either on gun cases but I use 2 regular pad locks on my rifle case take spares incase they get cut off by TSA

 

[coreydb]

It's better to get a pelican case. I carry my ammo in a locked cased in my luggage and show it to TSA/SAP/Proper authorities when asked about ammo. Once they check, I put it back in my luggage. In Spain I had to take the ammo out of my baggage and keep it separate for my return trip.

 

[BeeMaa]

airlines say TSA locks on ammo, either on gun cases but I use 2 regular pad locks on my rifle case take spares incase they get cut off by TSA

I use regular locks on ammo and rifle case.

 

[Sika98k]

Live on the edge and check a bag with some clothes and throw in the ammo.

I have a couple of Pelican cases for sale in the classifieds if you are interested.
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-and-pelican-1200-60-shipping-included.86782/

That’s a big no no in Europe . By all means check in an ammo box and throw some clothes in but always inform the airline of ammunition.
Alternatively if you are shooting a relatively common caliber simply arrange to pick up some on arrival. Sellier&Belliot, Norma, RWS, Geco, Fiocchi, Privi Partisan are all European manufacturers.

 

[BeeMaa]

That’s a big no no in Europe . By all means check in an ammo box and throw some clothes in but always inform the airline of ammunition.
Alternatively if you are shooting a relatively common caliber simply arrange to pick up some on arrival. Sellier&Belliot, Norma, RWS, Geco, Fiocchi, Privi Partisan are all European manufacturers.

My intention was not to just throw ammo in with the luggage without informing the airlines, even though I can see how you would get that from my post.

The "live dangerously" was meant towards the OP to check a piece of luggage that has clothes in it. LOL.

 

[fourfive8]

Overthink and complicate…. Check with airline(s). If you’re not checking any bags then what does (do) the airline(s) say to do with the ammo? I know a complication arises when using different airlines in Africa combined with international travel where the rules of ammo handling can be conflicted. But for Europe?? Ask the airline(s). @BeeMaa ‘s offer on the Pelicans is worth a look and consideration!

 

[BeeMaa]

Overthink and complicate…. Check with airline(s). If you’re not checking any bags then what does (do) the airline(s) say to do with the ammo? I know a complication arises when using different airlines in Africa combined with international travel where the rules of ammo handling can be conflicted. But for Europe?? Ask the airline(s). @BeeMaa ‘s offer on the Pelicans is worth a look and consideration!

Not sure if I updated the classifieds or not, but they have been sold to @Russ16. Appreciate the good press.

 

[Rare Breed]

Live on the edge and check a bag with some clothes and throw in the ammo.

I have a couple of Pelican cases for sale in the classifieds if you are interested.
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-and-pelican-1200-60-shipping-included.86782/

don’t forget the weight limit for ammo which is weighed separately before you are allowed to place inside your luggage

 

[PARA45]

don’t forget the weight limit for ammo which is weighed separately before you are allowed to place inside your luggage

On my two trips to SA flying on Delta, they have never asked me to do that. They were more concerned with my rifle being unloaded and the forms signed. Luck of the draw I guess.