Flying with ammo question

[XTR]

I know how to answer all the hazmat questions but I've never gotten on the plane with ammo.

I need to fly Monday with 110 rounds, sounds easy right, but looking at the American Airlines page I see:

"Ammunition must be:
In the original packaging from the manufacturer or in packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition (made of fiber, wood or metal). Ammunition is not accepted in magazines or clips." my emphasis.

My plastic MTM in a pelican doesn't meet the letter, and I don't want to go down the losing road of trying to convince them that it is actually better.


Anyone have a good idea other than going up to Bass Pro and buying 6 boxes of 308 and switching out the contents?



I have have a pile of BHA factory boxes at home that I could put this in, but that doesn't help me here. I'm in New England, and flying from Providence to Phoenix on Monday, and Knoxville is just a bit far to go raid my garage. Midway shows "out of stock-no backorder" on theirs.

I could build a cardboard around the MTM

 

[daniel.chisholm]

Donning my Range Lawyer hat, I always chose to interpret the wording In the original packaging from the manufacturer with the understanding that *I* as a handloader was the manufacturer of the ammunition, so the 50-round plastic boxes that I packaged the ammo in, met that definition. It certainly is a reasonable and sensible way to pack the ammo for shipping (especially if you put an elastic band or two round the ammo box to prevent it from popping open and spilling ammo amongst your clothing)

 

[mysticplayer]

having flown in Canada and into the US with ammo, the airlines I flew had no issues with PLASTIC AMMO BOXES MADE TO HOUSE AMMO.... nothing homemade.

The eggcrate stuff we all have and use. Foam pack it all so if they inspect, there is no rattling of shells. That is what the packaging concern is all about... rattling ammo that can ignite (don't ask, I have no idea how that came to be). And it will help to keep that ammo straight when you get to destination.

So best to not have empty spaces in your box either... I would suggest 2X50 and 1X 20. When returning with empties, keep them separate from the loaded stuff as much as possible, and pack so they don't rattle around. Yes, some airlines are concerned the fired cases are housed properly and not just stuffed in a plastic bag. Why? Who knows....

5kg is the international weight limit and YES, some airports will weigh.

Enjoy the flight.

Jerry

PS, consider removing the scope from the rifle and pack very very well. On my last flight home, one of my cases got hit HARD... bent the scope tube, cracked the stock. The airlines just shrugged their shoulders and told me to go away.

Assume that some have little respect for firearms and likely a good deal of disdain....

 

[XTR]

I shipped the rest of my ammo for the Nationals, but it's scheduled to arrive on Monday, so I'm carrying enough for practice on Tuesday and to shoot the matches on Wednesday just in case the shipment is delayed.

 

[Matthew Schwartzkopf]

FWIW I have flown with MTM boxes with padding in my locked luggage with no issues.

 

[Skeet69]

Some airlines have a weight limit, and the odd "in original or like packaging". I fly Delta, and went to Talladega opening in June. I was allowed 10.5 lbs of ammo, so had to limit my ammo just for the 308 match Garand, I bought Creedmoor ammo for the '06 JCG rifle.
Packed in my suitcase, I used a bit of electrical tape to hold the MTM plastic boxes closed. Made it there fine, made it back cracked when it only had empty brass in it. :
Mike B

 

[hogpatrol]

Some airlines have a weight limit, and the odd "in original or like packaging". I fly Delta, and went to Talladega opening in June. I was allowed 10.5 lbs of ammo, so had to limit my ammo just for the 308 match Garand, I bought Creedmoor ammo for the '06 JCG rifle.
Packed in my suitcase, I used a bit of electrical tape to hold the MTM plastic boxes closed. Made it there fine, made it back cracked when it only had empty brass in it. :
Mike B

The limit is an ICAO amount for ALL airlines, foreign and domestic. 5 kilos or 11 lbs, exclusive of the containers in checked baggage. Individual declaration for different countries is another story. Any standard ammo box SHOULD be ok as long as the gate agent isn't a dipshit and doesn't know the regs or airline policies.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

When i go to canada i have to have the correct headstamp and it matches the barrel mark and the original ammo mfr box. They have looked every time and made sure that it was under 11lbs. Even on my wildcats i have to mark the barrel with the headstamp and ammo box. I even had to convince them that a 30-06 springfield was a 30-06 sprg one time with my 338-06 shells loaded

 

[rogn]

Have flown a few times both in US and to SA. MTM style boxes were fine in all circumstances, I had placed foam in the top of each box. Once out of Dulles. From the stories we hear there is luck in the agent we get to deal with. Rural grown agents are pragmatic, urban touchy feelies a different story. The advice to put your scope in a carry on bag is not bad advice, but expect to explain what it is to some agents. Avoids potential damage and potential theft.
Oh if you need or want paper 20 round ammo boxes Top Brass(Scharch ?) sells them.