Flying with Bolt Action rifle - Bolt in or out?

Hififile324

Hififile324

AH veteran
Joined
Feb 2, 2023
Messages
228
Reaction score
471
Location
Hillsboro, OR.
Media
12
Hunting reports
Africa
1
Member of
NRA Benefactor / OFF / 2A / IBSA / TCGC / SCI / RMEF
Hunted
USA, Mexico, Canada, South Africa
Greetings all. I'm taking my 2nd trip to RSA later this year and I bought a new Pelican Case for my bolt gun. I've read horror stories on bolts getting bent, broken, stuck, after leaving them in the rifle during travel due to baggage impacts and abuse.

Has anyone here ever experienced this? I'm reluctant to separate the bolt from the rifle merely for travel. I'll be taking a Christensen .300WM (Rem 700 clone).

What say you??
 
Leave the bolt in, but add some cushion by using a gun sock stretched over the rifle. Pain to get off when going through SAPS, but worth it.

I've seen some use black closed cell foam around the bolt handle.

Some guys even use a gun sock, inside a soft case, inside a Pelican case.
 
If it was bad enough the bolt got bent, what happened to the rest of the rifle?

Always Out for me. I "think" there is less likelihood for TSA to want to inspect the case that way.

But my hunting buddy is more paranoid about losing his bolt. So In for him.

I have a leather sheath for the bolt.
 
skydiver386 said:
Some guys even use a gun sock, inside a soft case, inside a Pelican case.
Click to expand...

^ I resemble that remark. ;)

Some airlines (eg Qantas) require the bolt to be removed.

I put bolt in an old army sock, in a pistol rug.
 
For my first trip I wrapped my gun bolt in a dish towel (out of the gun) and packed it in the gun case with the gun. Because my wife loves me very much she got me this little Rigby leather deal that holds the bolt. I'll never own a Rigby, so I have their little bolt holder.
 
Hooked Now said:
For my first trip I wrapped my gun bolt in a dish towel (out of the gun) and packed it in the gun case with the gun. Because my wife loves me very much she got me this little Rigby leather deal that holds the bolt. I'll never own a Rigby, so I have their little bolt holder.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
I remove mine. Put it inside a large, insulated leather glove. Bolt head down the middle finger, handle in the thumb. Hold it tight with a plastic tie wrap and lay it in my Pelican 1750. Works well. Just remember to include a few extra tie wraps in your gun case.
 
Hooked Now said:
For my first trip I wrapped my gun bolt in a dish towel (out of the gun) and packed it in the gun case with the gun. Because my wife loves me very much she got me this little Rigby leather deal that holds the bolt. I'll never own a Rigby, so I have their little bolt holder.
Click to expand...

The Rigby bolt holder is a very nice step up from an old army sock or dish towel! :cool:

https://www.johnrigbyandco.com/shop/rigby-bolt-holder
 
So I traveled with my rifle in a Pelican 1750 recently from Atlanta to Johannesburg in 2024 and again in 2025. So that first time in 2024, I left the bolt in the rifle. Clearing it through SAPS in Johannesburg they asked that I remove the bolt. I already had a cutout for it anyways.

Then after my hunt, flying back to Atlanta and clearing it through US Customs, I had left the bolt in the rifle, and the customs agent got a little snippy asking that I remove the bolt. So the following year traveling back, I just kept tne bolt removed from my rifle, placed in the cutout foam of my Pelican 1750 case during travel, no problems.

With my rifle inside the Pelican 1750 case, bolt inserted in the rifle, I can push down hard and feel resistance from the bolt. As far as traveling with the bolt in the rifle and incurring damage, I think it unlikely but certainly nothing wrong with playing it safe and removing the bolt during travel.
 
Last edited:
Tintin said:
^ I resemble that remark. ;)

Some airlines (eg Qantas) require the bolt to be removed.

I put bolt in an old army sock, in a pistol rug.
Click to expand...
This is what I do also. Even driving through Canada. Canadian customs really seemed to like it, so I did it to go to Namibia. They didn’t ask me to remove it from the rug, I just showed it to them. No problem.
 
Great advice. I'll be taking my 375 hh and 6.5 mauser it April. I Def want that part to go smoothly. Thanks, Fellas.
 
I travel with mine removed. Less chance of any damage and TSA and SAPS issues.
Pelican case I cut out for rifle and for bolt.
If I’m using TuffPac case and soft gun cases, I wrap bolt in towel and place in zipper pocket on soft case.
 
Hififile324 said:
Greetings all. I'm taking my 2nd trip to RSA later this year and I bought a new Pelican Case for my bolt gun. I've read horror stories on bolts getting bent, broken, stuck, after leaving them in the rifle during travel due to baggage impacts and abuse.

Has anyone here ever experienced this? I'm reluctant to separate the bolt from the rifle merely for travel. I'll be taking a Christensen .300WM (Rem 700 clone).

What say you??
Click to expand...
Did you hear of guns being damaged in a Pelican case? I would be surprised. Ours are in soft cases inside the Pelican (middle foam removed) and even with large groups of hunters with me no damage ever. Do not take the bolt out of your rifle regardless of what you are told. The exception can be other destinations that can in some cases require it.
Keep reading online and you'll find the stories of the guy who took his bolt out and put it in his backpack and had it confiscated. Then the guy who took the bolt out but kept it in the gun case and it just disappeared. There are a few.
 
I leave my bolts in the rifle and never had an issue. If you think it makes more sense to remove the bolt, you might want a bolt case like this one.

www.ebay.com

TOURBON Rifle Bolt Holder Hunting Cover Pouch Durable Canvas Protection Holster | eBay

✨Random color send out ✅Made of quality durable canvas. The bolt holder is fully padded and enclosed to protect your gun bolts. Keeps the bolt out of harms way while in transit and has a handy loop to mount it on your belt during competition. It is safe to store your rifle bolts away from your...
www.ebay.com
 
I’ve always removed the bolt when traveling to Mexico, Canada & my 1 trip to Africa. The officials and airline staff seemed to like it, perhaps a sign of safe handling & transportation of a firearm. Initially, it visually shows the firearm is disabled. Also, manufacturers ship factory new firearms with bolts separated, to which I’m sure there is a good reason. I’m no expert, to each its own.
 
Bolt in, and scope attached to the rifle.

With a quality case you'll be fine.
 
Twenty-four trips to Africa with a Pelican case with the bolt OUT secured in its own pouch inside the case with the rifle. IMO if the bolt in the case disappears so will the rifle.

Less hassle with TSA and Customs with the bolt out.

Your firearm, do what you deem appropriate.
 
I travel with the bolt in. I use a pelican case. If it gets impacted hard enough to bend the bolt the rifle is destroyed anyway. That’s what insurance is for.

I have made a lot of trips. I’ve never had a problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1239 more.
Total: 71,252 (members: 1,289, guests: 69,963)

Forum statistics

Threads
66,993
Messages
1,484,915
Members
143,464
Latest member
Shayla2056
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Daryl S
Daryl S wrote on mgstucson's profile.
Hi - the only (best) method of sending you the .375/06IMP data is with photographing my book notes. My camera died so the only way I can do it is with my phone. To do that, I would need your e-mail address, as this
new Android phone is too complicated to upload to my desk computer, which would be easier and to down-grade, reduce the file sizes.
Best wishes
Daryl
•••
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS
Golden wildebeest cow cull hunt

•••
swashington
swashington wrote on Hyde's profile.
Hey Steve, This is Steve Washington we met at KMG last year. I am interested in your Winchester. Would love to speak with you about it. I work third shift and I cannot take a phone with me to work. Let me know a good time to call during one of your mornings. My phone is [redacted]. Live in Florida so I have to account for the time difference.
Look forward to hearing from you.
•••
R
Ray B wrote on woodsman1991's profile.
Hi @woodsman1991 -
I'm Ray [redacted]

Reply with name/address and I'll get a check into tomorrow's mail.
•••
Boela
Boela wrote on Slider's profile.
Good day, Slider.

Do you by any chance have any 500NE brass left that you are willing to part ways with?

Best regards,
Boela Bekker.
•••

Share this page

 
Top