Flying with reloaded ammo

[emrah1028]

I recently flew from MN to Tampa with my reloads (Delta Airlines). I simply put them in a 50-count plastic "range box". Not sure what to call it. It's the plastic box with a lid that has 50 slots, one for each round. $5 at Fleet Farm. I had .243 and 30-30 in the same box. I didn't even declare it. I simply had it in my checked baggage.

On the way back, I put the empty brass in a ziploc baggie, also in checked baggage. I left the range box with a buddy in FL. No problems.

Emrah

 

[schmalts]

I recently flew from MN to Tampa with my reloads (Delta Airlines). I simply put them in a 50-count plastic "range box". Not sure what to call it. It's the plastic box with a lid that has 50 slots, one for each round. $5 at Fleet Farm. I had .243 and 30-30 in the same box. I didn't even declare it. I simply had it in my checked baggage.

On the way back, I put the empty brass in a ziploc baggie, also in checked baggage. I left the range box with a buddy in FL. No problems.

Emrah

You got lucky. Dont expect to get away with it every time.

 

[emrah1028]

How come? I followed TSA rules. I even called the airlines. They follow TSA rules. The ammo can be in its original "cardboard" packaging, as bought from the store. It can also be in a box specifically made for storing and transporting ammo, such as the range box I had them in. They could also have been in a box. There was nothing sneaky about the way I transported them.

As for the spent brass on the return trip, it's only empty brass. Not loaded ammo. Still not a violation of anything.

Emrah

 

[1_pointer]

You got lucky. Dont expect to get away with it every time.

While I'm sure it's happend and don't think you're lying saying you lost ammo. That said, I've never lost a round and I've flown with my ammo in nothing but MTM ammo boxes. When did you lose yours? I've noticed less hassle recently compared to back in 2003-2004.

As a precaution, I make sure to have a copy of the airline and TSA regs with me and another copy rubber banded to the ammo box.

 

[RobG]

TSA seems OK with it: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/hunting-and-fishing-equipment

I agree the person at the desk can be the limiting factor so printing out the regs seems a very wise idea.

 

[Dave N]

I had ammo sent by UPS and FEDEX. Box just has to be labeled.

 

[stillkickin]

I found the box I thought that I mailed, it was sent by UPS. It had a sticker on it ORM-D for ammo identification.

 

[RobG]

I found the box I thought that I mailed, it was sent by UPS. It had a sticker on it ORM-D for ammo identification.

OK, I found it for UPS: http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/resources/prepare/packaging/guidelines/ammunition.html

 

[schmalts]

[QUOTE"How come? I followed TSA rules. I even called the airlines. They follow TSA rules. The ammo can be in its original "cardboard" packaging, as bought from the store. It can also be in a box specifically made for storing and transporting ammo, such as the range box I had them in. They could also have been in a box. There was nothing sneaky about the way I transported them"

While I'm sure it's happened and don't think you're lying saying you lost ammo. That said, I've never lost a round and I've flown with my ammo in nothing but MTM ammo boxes. When did you lose yours? I've noticed less hassle recently compared to back in 2003-2004.

As a precaution, I make sure to have a copy of the airline and TSA regs with me and another copy rubber banded to the ammo box.

Because not all TSA inspectors know the rules and you will have no luck debating it with them most times. Pointer has a good point though. I have lost ammo, and he told me it had to be in a factory original box because reloads may have contra-ban inside among other reasons (return trip departing Billings with 41mag ammo). Not saying he was right,but I did not know if he was or not. I am just saying it has happened to me and I am sure he did it to many others. The real kicker is I said I would have to just throw them in the garbage then and he said "I have a 41, I will take them if you want" .
I also ALMOST lost a rifle scope I had in my carry on coming back from the SHOT show 2 years ago. A very large scary woman who thought she knew all the rules flagged it as a "gun part" and said I cannot take it on the plane because it is a gun part. I argued it is an optical device and is not a gun part . She argued more and after about 5 minutes I asked for the manager. She looked at it for 5 seconds and told the large woman "it is no different than a telescope or binoculars" and away I went. I got lucky that time. This year the case I put my muzzle loader in when I fly was flagged by a woman TSA inspector for not being secure enough. This is the same locking bow case I flown with for 10 years without a problem. This time She thought the middle handle area was too easy to pry open and I had to go to a luggage store and get a very over priced cable lock to go in that area. I pleaded it is a primitive weapon and even asked her to demonstrate her being able to remove the item because the item was so long you would never get one end out of the middle of the case to remove it. If you fly enough you never know when someone will think they have a different understanding of the rules and they have a hard time backing down from that.

 

[schmalts]

Oh and I forgot to add just as a reminder that even though you can put ammo in the same case as the gun, you cannot put primers in with your muzzle loader Like that one shot wonder will take over the whole airport LOL

 

[1_pointer]

Speaking of flying with MLers, I'm guessing one can fly with everything but the powder? Even percussion caps?

Yes I'm too lazy to look right now...

 

[Corax]

Several of us from my gun club flew from Houston to Buffalo, NY last year for a silhouette match, each bringing about 500 rounds of centerfire ammo (6.5x55), all reloads, plus a brick of .22. The airlines and the TSA don't know from reloads, and are not equipped to check if they did.

We each took about 10 pounds on the plane, packed in the plastic boxes emrah described. The rest went by (as I recall) Fedex. The Fedex regulations require an ORM-D label (you can print this yourself) but no extra cost. I used a heavy duty box from Home Depot to pack the ammo boxes in. I also recommend putting a thin sheet of styrofoam inside each of the ammo boxes to prevent rattling.

 

[schmalts]

Speaking of flying with MLers, I'm guessing one can fly with everything but the powder? Even percussion caps?

Yes I'm too lazy to look right now...

No primers or caps allowed at all. You need to buy them along with the powder once you land.

 

[1_pointer]

Thanks! Sounds like I may need to make a call or two and make sure someplace has the powder and primers I need before I leave.

 

[brownbear932008]

I have never had any issues checking reloads. I always have them in an after market plastic box taped with electrical tape. Having said that this year my buddy almost had to buy a new gun case seems the airline worker at the check in thought his was too loose near the lock area after the guy practically tried to tear the case apart pulling on it at the counter never had that experience before we would have been screwed had he not allowed his rifle to be checked in. We went to the airport coming home extra early in case we had to run out and buy one for him if any further problems came about. Totally different coming back no issues.

I only have one wish and that is for them to be uniform so you know what to expect when checking this stuff seems it's never the same sometimes.

 

[schmalts]

Thanks! Sounds like I may need to make a call or two and make sure someplace has the powder and primers I need before I leave.

Definitly. I have had a hard time finding blackhorn 209 on some trips so call ahead. Pyrodex and 777 are not a peoblem.

 

[RobG]

Well they made it through no problem - even after United Air left me stranded two days in Chicago.

 

[Old_Doe_Shooter]

TSA is fine with flying guns and ammo if you follow their guidelines AND the airline agents have any clue about what they are doing. (That's the catch!). Always check in at the counter and have a copy of the your airline's regulations printed off their website. There are Federal regulations and each airline has it's own rules as well. They are not the same, don't bet on it. Two of my worst gun hassles were in Juneau and Fairbanks Alaska.... as if no one coming to or going from AK ever flies with a a gun... go figure.
UPS ( brown truck) takes ammo, USPS ( post office) does not. There is no HAZMAT fee for ammo.

 

[MKotur325]

Well they made it through no problem - even after United Air left me stranded two days in Chicago.

Glad to hear it Rob! And might we add... Welcome back to Balmy Montana, the land of Above Zero Temps...