Flying with Rifles and Ammo for matches?

[Cigarcop]

I've been thinking of attending some matches that are just too far to drive. For the guys who travel Via Airline how are you packing your rounds. Do you worry about them perhaps getting banged around,.. maybe seating them long and taking a press with you to seat to your wanted depth prior to the match?
Also I shoot F Class so I'd be taking a rest and sticking it in a case...would you guys just stick the case inside your luggage?

I've flown before for hunting trips but that ammo is a bit different!

any tips would be appreciated

 

[davidd]

I may be wrong in this but I do not think you can not send ammo on a passenger flight.

You will need a ORM-D label for the carton and ship it ground to the match.

 

[Immike]

I've had vibration problems moving soft seats in before. Try putting a layer of foam over bullets that contacts the lid, I used a sponge in the lid to keep them from rattling around. Towels under the boxes helps also.

 

[navyrad8r]

Cigarcop,
I have flown from California to Perry and from Annapolis to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. Choose your airline wisely, some have no problems and just limit the weight of the ammo. Also the rules vary regarding how they want it to be packaged (locked, regular luggage, etc). I am pretty sure though that you may not fly any airlines with your ammo components (powder, primer mainly). With that being said I have always had pretty good luck with Southwest when flying to matches. i do the foam thing in the boxes to cushion the rounds like immike suggested. However i am a sling shooter and Service rifle guy, so my ammo has good neck tension. Maybe seat them long and finish the job when you land with a buddy's press or arbor/ wilson seater?? i hope this helped...
cheers,
doc

 

[ab_bentley]

I have flown no less than a dozen times with firearms and ammo. All have been Southwest. I have only had one issue but it got resolved. I have yet to have my ammo or firearms weighed. I have flown with ammo in ziplocks and other various boxes, no issues. Make sure you have TSA approved locks, this will save you lots of hassle. "Google" your airlines rules, print them out, take them with you. Take pics of your firearms the day you fly with a newspaper in front of them. It's sounds like a conspiracy thing but it will solidify a case if the worst case happens and they loose your rifles and ammo. Also call the airlines and see what the maxium ammount of insurance your ticket covers, Southwest's is only $3000. If your flying with high dollar toys this might cover the scope. Adam

 

[effendude]

All of the above advice is spot on except the required label on the ammo?

Each airline is a little different but TSA rules are generally followed. Ammo must not be in the same case as the firearm. Ammo must be in your checked luggage, not in a carry-on bag. Package the ammo with extra foam in the cases, etc because it will get bounced around. I usually pack the ammo cases in the middle of my duffle bag surrounded by clothes so it has as much cushion as possible.

Get out your credit card too. I have always paid for every extra piece of luggage beyond item #1. Rifle case= extra charge. Rifle case over weight limit=extra charge. Checked baggage with ammo in it (overweight)=extra charge. Rifle rest is hard case AND overweight=extra charge.

Scott

 

[wwbrown]

I have found that the airlines and TSA understand the rules pretty well about flying with guns, they open the case and have your sign a chit that they put inside declaring that the gun is unloaded. Very few times have I had a TSA agent handle the gun, most say they are not supposed to. I just allow an extra 30 minutes or so.

It seems ammunition rules are less understood and when I absolutely had to have ammo at the other end I would take some with me and then ship an extra amount by UPS. Shipping ammo by UPS is easy I just arrange for a pickup at my house and use the ORMD sticker and all is good. Trying to get the people behind the counter to accept ammo is usually a total waste of time as most of them will tell you that UPS does not ship ammo. You can bring the UPS rules printed off of their website re: shipping ammo and they will tell you straight face that "UPS does not ship ammo." The drivers deliver everything are well aware of the regs.

I missed a flight one time as the TSA people decided that I could not carry a Premier Reticles scope in my carry on baggage. The TSA regs allow for riflescopes to be carried on the airplane but if they definitely do not know that the safest thing for them to do career wise is to say no.

 

[ab_bentley]

With Southwest you can carry ammo in the same case as the firearm.
http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html#baggage_special_luggage_pol_tab_list_tab_7

Adam

 

[Michaelvoigt1]

No problem flying with guns and ammunition within the USA.

Start your check in with "I have an unloaded firearm for checked baggage" and all goes smoothly.

Ammunition is limited to 5 Kilos (11 pounds) or less.
Must be packaged in ammunition specific carrier (cardboard ammo boxes, plastic reloading boxes, etc) - big thing is no loose rounds.
Most airlines want the ammunition in one suitcase and the rifle in a separate case.

After check in they typically ask you to take the gun case to an oversize baggage area where TSA will swab do a quick check and send you on the way.

MV

 

[Cigarcop]

Thanks for all the help and tips!