Ammo Cases for Airline Travel
- Thread starter MTB doc
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There is a weight limit on ammo, varies by airline. TSA limit is 11 lbs, but some airlines limit it more. You will be way over that with 300 rounds of 6.5cm (probably 15 to 17 lbs). Also ammo has to be in the original box (can not ship reloads, or in other boxes). The weight limit is per passenger/container. So to transport more than 11lbs, you need a second passenger. With the luggage charge, might be easier and cost less to just ship it to your destination.
False. You can fly with reloads and they don’t need to be in factory ammo boxes. I know this because I’ve flown numerous times to various places/countries. You are correct about 11lbs but I fly with all my ammo (reloads) in hard plastic mtm cases. Never once had an issue at any airport.
OP, my suggestion is mail what you can to your destination ahead of time. That usually alleviates the weight issue. Keep some with you just in case but you’ll be well underweight and won’t have to worry about cutting it close.
i've always understood that reloads are fine for countries such as Africa. All that matters is the headstamp on the brass matches what the rifle is chambered in.
Ive never had anyone ever even check ammo I was carrying with me to match to the firearm. I’m not sure the TSA employees would even know the difference honestly. Maybe someone has gotten a hard time on this but I can attest to my experiences, which have been very easy. I even live in NJ and flying from here, you’d think they would be rather strict compared to other places but that’s not the case.
No, there is no limit by TSA. The airlines restrict it. Most are 11 lbs, Alaska allows up to 50 on maknline Alaska flights only.
I carry 11 lbs in MTM cases in my checked bag. And ship a match ammo loadout to my hotel via UPS.
One of the nice thing about shooting a 6.5 CM is that it's not impossible to find match grade ammo on the road.
One of the nice thing about shooting a 6.5 CM is that it's not impossible to find match grade ammo on the road.
i don't believe it's tsa that gives a shit, but rather the country being entered. i'm mainly referring to international flight.
TSA has no limit provided it's packaged correctly. The rounds have to be contained, and separated, as in a factory box or plastic reload box, even binders are okay. You can not have them loose in a pile inside a bag.
Airlines have a limit, but it's retarded. For one they never get a chance to weigh it. For another they limit your overall bag weight already. As long as you're under 50lbs per bag no extra fees.
I've flown with more than 11lbs worth in a single container. Keep in mind that's 11lbs per bag, so if you're really worried about the ammo police, split it up among your bags.
People fly with more than 11lbs of ammo constantly. I've done it in a single case. Just package it correctly and rock on.
I stand corrected on the 'declaring'
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Actually yes you must declare ammo to the airline. If you haven't you've been lucky. If they Dona random search and there is no paperwork, you're screwed.
You are also incorrect. An agent at the counter can weigh your ammo when you declare it. They can remove it from your bag and put it on the scale by itself. It’s also 11 pounds per passenger, not per bag. I’ve been working for a major US airline since just after 9/11 so I’m pretty versed in traveling with firearms personally and in a work capacity.
News to me, I've only ever seen the orange card for firearms declarations.
Get calls to PD all the time for undeclared firearms, haven't heard a single call about undeclared ammo.
I'll ask around a bit and get a better answer.
Get calls to PD all the time for undeclared firearms, haven't heard a single call about undeclared ammo.
I'll ask around a bit and get a better answer.
Never in 15 years of flying seen a counter agent weigh ammunition. Going on about 8 worth of time at an airport. Maybe you 'can' but I've never seen it done.
Shit they don't even do the old 'I need to verify its unloaded' deal anymore (at the counter, obviously TSA still checks). The ambiguity and different policies among the different airlines are part of the issue. IMO.
Like I said, I'll reach out to some different groups involved and see about getting some clarification, particularly on the ammo as that seems to be the largest concern and most disputed.
We seem to have the firearm part of it down.
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Airline Travel With Firearms - A Reference
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this post is current as of 2/1/2020. It is YOUR responsibility to check and double check with the airline you are traveling on, as well as check the TSA website, to verify and understand the most current and up to date policies. I am not responsible for...
www.snipershide.com
I've seen your thread Dill, it's pretty exhaustive in written/posted policy.
I've got access to the people who would enforce it, check it, sometimes the ones who have a hand in making it. I'll ask around a bit, particularly on the ammo.
I've never seen any documentation for declaring ammo, perhaps that's because most of us are typically flying with firearms to and those are always declared.
I've gotten calls from TSA about undeclared firearms, never undeclared ammunition. I've specifically asked some of their higher ups about quantities and such and they don't care about quantity. Just packaging.
A lot of the airlines put stuff like "you're responsible for knowing federal regulations regarding packaging of such and such."
Point being, it's a hot potato nobody wants to get caught with. TSA puts quantity on the airlines, airlines put packaging on the feds, end result is nobody's clear on parts of it.
Easiest to ask questions so I'll work on it and see what I come up with. Before I flew to TX I wanted to know about pulling off the scope, in the rings, and going through security.
Nice to have access to some of these folks, so I asked. Answer was rings aren't part of a firearm and can't be used in any way to assemble one so don't worry about it.
No issues flying out to TX or back when I was done and I carried the scope on, in the rings, both ways.
Like guys have said though, they had to inspect the game changer both ways
I've got access to the people who would enforce it, check it, sometimes the ones who have a hand in making it. I'll ask around a bit, particularly on the ammo.
I've never seen any documentation for declaring ammo, perhaps that's because most of us are typically flying with firearms to and those are always declared.
I've gotten calls from TSA about undeclared firearms, never undeclared ammunition. I've specifically asked some of their higher ups about quantities and such and they don't care about quantity. Just packaging.
A lot of the airlines put stuff like "you're responsible for knowing federal regulations regarding packaging of such and such."
Point being, it's a hot potato nobody wants to get caught with. TSA puts quantity on the airlines, airlines put packaging on the feds, end result is nobody's clear on parts of it.
Easiest to ask questions so I'll work on it and see what I come up with. Before I flew to TX I wanted to know about pulling off the scope, in the rings, and going through security.
Nice to have access to some of these folks, so I asked. Answer was rings aren't part of a firearm and can't be used in any way to assemble one so don't worry about it.
No issues flying out to TX or back when I was done and I carried the scope on, in the rings, both ways.
Like guys have said though, they had to inspect the game changer both ways
It's the airline that cares about the ammo, not TSA. Let's say you don't declare the ammo and I have a fire in the cargo. Be damn nice to know what I'm dealing with.I've seen your thread Dill, it's pretty exhaustive in written/posted policy.
I've got access to the people who would enforce it, check it, sometimes the ones who have a hand in making it. I'll ask around a bit, particularly on the ammo.
I've never seen any documentation for declaring ammo, perhaps that's because most of us are typically flying with firearms to and those are always declared.
I've gotten calls from TSA about undeclared firearms, never undeclared ammunition. I've specifically asked some of their higher ups about quantities and such and they don't care about quantity. Just packaging.
A lot of the airlines put stuff like "you're responsible for knowing federal regulations regarding packaging of such and such."
Point being, it's a hot potato nobody wants to get caught with. TSA puts quantity on the airlines, airlines put packaging on the feds, end result is nobody's clear on parts of it.
Easiest to ask questions so I'll work on it and see what I come up with. Before I flew to TX I wanted to know about pulling off the scope, in the rings, and going through security.
Nice to have access to some of these folks, so I asked. Answer was rings aren't part of a firearm and can't be used in any way to assemble one so don't worry about it.
No issues flying out to TX or back when I was done and I carried the scope on, in the rings, both ways.
Like guys have said though, they had to inspect the game changer both ways
I hear what you're saying, my point is, let's say I'm flying with ammo, no gun, everything's packaged properly etc.
I tell the nice lady at the counter, hey there's ammunition in that case, let's say 4 boxes.
Then what? I've only ever signed cards for firearms that have both gone inside or on the outside, I don't argue with the ticket lady cause frankly I don't care where they put it.
How are they documenting the presence of ammo? It's not a card, they notating it in the computer? Maybe @Keel Haul can answer that for us? I'll ask some airport folks about that.
I'm curious how they'd notate it because in my experience, nothing more, all anybody seems to care about are the guns and that the ammo is packed properly.
I've never seen ammo declared or documented by itself (not saying should or shouldn't, just never seen it) and I've never, with any quantity of ammo, been asked to remove it or allow the ticket counter agent to remove it for the purpose of weighing it.
This is some of that confusion I'd like to see the hide get after. I'm sure we have LE, Airline, maybe even TSA members here. If we all put our heads together, reach out and ask some questions, I'll bet we find the answer. A definitive one.
I tell the nice lady at the counter, hey there's ammunition in that case, let's say 4 boxes.
Then what? I've only ever signed cards for firearms that have both gone inside or on the outside, I don't argue with the ticket lady cause frankly I don't care where they put it.
How are they documenting the presence of ammo? It's not a card, they notating it in the computer? Maybe @Keel Haul can answer that for us? I'll ask some airport folks about that.
I'm curious how they'd notate it because in my experience, nothing more, all anybody seems to care about are the guns and that the ammo is packed properly.
I've never seen ammo declared or documented by itself (not saying should or shouldn't, just never seen it) and I've never, with any quantity of ammo, been asked to remove it or allow the ticket counter agent to remove it for the purpose of weighing it.
This is some of that confusion I'd like to see the hide get after. I'm sure we have LE, Airline, maybe even TSA members here. If we all put our heads together, reach out and ask some questions, I'll bet we find the answer. A definitive one.
The weight limit is inconsistently enforced, but if you don’t tell them there is ammo in there how can they verify it’s packaged properly and locked? I’m not a gate or ticket agent, not sure what they do and don’t do, but I know what they are supposed to do and as the captain of the ship I sure hope they do their job.
Flew to TX with 250rds, was asked if there was a gun in that case, I said no, just ammo. That was it.
No cards, no paperwork, nada. Been in LE and flying with guns a long time, nobody's ever inspected the ammo. They used to ask about showing them the gun was unloaded (not that they knew what to look for).
Now TSA checks the firearms a lot more efficiently and the airlines have stopped asking.
I sign a card 'declaring' that I'm flying with a firearm every time I have one with me. Never signed anything about ammo, ever.
I've told em before, they never seem to care. Probably because TSA catches it if it isn't. Had a buddy fly to a match with loaded rounds in a TAB silent ammo carrier bag, TSA pulled his ammo. Not properly packaged.
This is my point. They throw responsibility back and forth.
No cards, no paperwork, nada. Been in LE and flying with guns a long time, nobody's ever inspected the ammo. They used to ask about showing them the gun was unloaded (not that they knew what to look for).
Now TSA checks the firearms a lot more efficiently and the airlines have stopped asking.
I sign a card 'declaring' that I'm flying with a firearm every time I have one with me. Never signed anything about ammo, ever.
I've told em before, they never seem to care. Probably because TSA catches it if it isn't. Had a buddy fly to a match with loaded rounds in a TAB silent ammo carrier bag, TSA pulled his ammo. Not properly packaged.
This is my point. They throw responsibility back and forth.
I’ve flown with ammo only a bunch of times on southwest. Never declared it. Their website doesn’t mention anything about declaring ammo. I’ve only ever looked on SWA since we usually fly them. Not saying I’m not supposed to declare it. I am ignorant of any requirement by SWA to do so.
I don’t know about the customer service end at the counter since that’s not where I work, so I have no idea how they go about notating your PNR, if it even happens. The thing about the counter agents is most are on the same page with the policy and then there are others who either couldn’t care less or want to screw around. Only once did I have a counter agent weigh ammo and fortunately it was a single box of gold dot so I was well below the limit. Only once did I have an agent ask to verify it was unloaded. He said take it out so he can make sure it’s clear. This was someone I knew at my former station, who knows nothing or firearms and you would think if I said it was clear, they would take me at my word. I said very calmly and quietly- “Redacted name, let me make sure I understand what you want before I even make any attempt at what you’re asking me to do. You are telling me you want me to remove my handgun from the case, rack the slide and essentially wave it around the counter. A handgun in the open at an airport. That’s what you’re telling me, right?” There was a slight pause before he responded in the affirmative. I said absolutely not and to get supervisor redacted over here right now before you cause a panic next time you try this with someone else.
Long story, but it really demonstrates that the policy may be set in stone but will vary depending on who you get that day. Same goes for TSA. Most know the drill but sometimes you one that either doesn’t care, doesn’t know, or is feeling froggy that day. Best to stick to the policy because all it takes is one person to ruin your trip that day. It might be overkill but if you have a hard copy of the policy printed out, they can’t really argue against is in their own manual. Also feel free to kick it up the chain if they don’t want to follow their own rules.
Long story, but it really demonstrates that the policy may be set in stone but will vary depending on who you get that day. Same goes for TSA. Most know the drill but sometimes you one that either doesn’t care, doesn’t know, or is feeling froggy that day. Best to stick to the policy because all it takes is one person to ruin your trip that day. It might be overkill but if you have a hard copy of the policy printed out, they can’t really argue against is in their own manual. Also feel free to kick it up the chain if they don’t want to follow their own rules.
Again, if you don’t tell them, how can they know you are following their policy? The declaration in my opinion, is implied. It may not require paperwork and they may or may not notate it in your reservation, but if you don’t tell the, you have ammo they can’t do their job.
Hi,
Raise your hand if you are commenting in this thread and being in command of aircraft is your job, not if you have flown in a plane for your job, lol.
Let me guess...all you traveling internationally with ammo had your approved appropriate DSP paperwork right???
Bottom line is each airline has it's own policy along with their agents that do and do not fully grasp said policies.
Sincerely,
Theis
Raise your hand if you are commenting in this thread and being in command of aircraft is your job, not if you have flown in a plane for your job, lol.
Let me guess...all you traveling internationally with ammo had your approved appropriate DSP paperwork right???
Bottom line is each airline has it's own policy along with their agents that do and do not fully grasp said policies.
Sincerely,
Theis
Hi, thanks for the responses. The original topic was to try to find suggestions on ammo cases.
With regard to weight restrictions, I'm flying Alaska Air. Per their policy, domestic flight numbers 001-2999 can have up to 50 lbs ammo, so I think I'm good with regards to that.
With regard to weight restrictions, I'm flying Alaska Air. Per their policy, domestic flight numbers 001-2999 can have up to 50 lbs ammo, so I think I'm good with regards to that.
From the TSA website
Really, FAA and most airlines limit ammo to 11lbs ( I may have mentioned TSA and not FAA)
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=4
Both Delta and American baggage agents say it has to be in the original packaging even though their website does not. I have arguements with them about this and once it took 2 hours and several managers to resolve. I suggested in original packaging for a hassle free trip. I fly with guns/ammo about every month and know what gets you on your plane.
Really, FAA and most airlines limit ammo to 11lbs ( I may have mentioned TSA and not FAA)
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=4
Both Delta and American baggage agents say it has to be in the original packaging even though their website does not. I have arguements with them about this and once it took 2 hours and several managers to resolve. I suggested in original packaging for a hassle free trip. I fly with guns/ammo about every month and know what gets you on your plane.
I've got a Pelican case just for shipping ammo to the event. You can often combine the empty boxes and the shipping case in your luggage when returning home after expelling all those heavy projectiles and the powder under them.
You can ship to the Fedex Office near the venue or airport and they will hold it for you - but just for 5 days....
You can ship to the Fedex Office near the venue or airport and they will hold it for you - but just for 5 days....
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