Fly with a High End Rifle to J'Burg?

migrabill

migrabill

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Question for those of you more experienced than I.
My first trip to South Africa I only hunted Plains Game and rented a .308 from my PH. I am scheduled to go back to Limpopo and this time a Cape Buffalo is on my list. Instead of renting, I would love to OWN the gun that I used to take my buf. But... If you had a 8K-10K Rifle in DG caliber with a scope, would you fly to J'Burg with it? I have heard stories about camera gear coming up missing. Do guns go missing as well? After landing in J'Burg, I will need to spend the night there and then fly out the next day to Hoedspruit.
How safe would this treasured gun be? Do I do it?
 
Most of the AH members and thousands of others travel with there firearms all the time. I know I do, sometimes As many as 3 rifles well worth more than $10,000 Never an issue and never a worry for me. Airlines don’t want to loose them, plenty safe in SA when landing and overnight.
 
I have flown a Rigby Highland Stalker through Johannesburg five times in the last three years. ZERO issues with my firearms, bags, or ammo. I have never worried leaving it in my hotel room when I overnight at City Lodge.
 
I'd do it without a question.

At most I've heard of a delay in getting there but that's it.

Airlines and airports keep a pretty good watch on rifle cases.

Nothing better than shooting game with your own rifle.
 
I have traveled with a custom rifle valued at around $7000. No guns have been lost but one gun case was dropped hard enough to knock its scope out of alignment.

Use a really good case and consider insuring the rifles.
 
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I've never had a concern with rifles, the airlines always want to know where they are. I had an Air Kenya Pilot come to my seat just before the plane took off and he said "Mr. Stepan, your firearms are safely on board".


JES
 
I’ve flown to and through JNB many times with rifles, the value of which exceeds your higher end. I’ve never had a problem. As many have said, the authorities tend to keep an eye on rifles, so not much tends to happen to them.

It’s other things in general luggage you might want to worry about, but even there, problems are rare.

There’s nothing like hunting with your own rifles, so I wouldn’t be put off by scare stories.
 
Use a travel agent like Gracy Travel and have them help you do the paperwork and thier man Bruce in South Africa will make everything go smoothly! Also buy Firearms insurance that covers theft or loss during travel and travel worry free!
 
migrabill said:
Question for those of you more experienced than I.
My first trip to South Africa I only hunted Plains Game and rented a .308 from my PH. I am scheduled to go back to Limpopo and this time a Cape Buffalo is on my list. Instead of renting, I would love to OWN the gun that I used to take my buf. But... If you had a 8K-10K Rifle in DG caliber with a scope, would you fly to J'Burg with it? I have heard stories about camera gear coming up missing. Do guns go missing as well? After landing in J'Burg, I will need to spend the night there and then fly out the next day to Hoedspruit.
How safe would this treasured gun be? Do I do it?
Click to expand...
Zero issues, you’re over thinking it. Guys fly through there with guns worth more than our houses.

I’ve personally flown through Johannesburg multiple times with a Pre WW1 Rigby 275, a Pre WW1 Westley Richards Drop Lock, and a Pre64 M70 Super Grade in 375. Just did it into Zimbabwe and plan on doing it into Mozambique in a few months.
 
do it sir
use a rifle pre clearance specialist like riflepermits.com or other and all will be golden
go and enjoy and use your own gun that you enjoy and build memories with
 
For sure NOT an issue
HOWEVER.. NEVER…EVER…pack valuable items in your checked regular luggage there.
KISS it goodbye basically…
No Camera, Electronics, or valuable items other than your clothes, boots/shoes or whatever in your checked luggage. and lock down your regular bag
They wouldn’t dare mess with a gun…. But the luggage. They will 100% steal anything they can and do so every day.
 
migrabill said:
Question for those of you more experienced than I.
My first trip to South Africa I only hunted Plains Game and rented a .308 from my PH. I am scheduled to go back to Limpopo and this time a Cape Buffalo is on my list. Instead of renting, I would love to OWN the gun that I used to take my buf. But... If you had a 8K-10K Rifle in DG caliber with a scope, would you fly to J'Burg with it? I have heard stories about camera gear coming up missing. Do guns go missing as well? After landing in J'Burg, I will need to spend the night there and then fly out the next day to Hoedspruit.
How safe would this treasured gun be? Do I do it?
Click to expand...

Hire Gracy Travel to help with your bags. Ask for Bruce specifically and make sure to tip him. Bruce knows Tambo like the back of his hand, and he'll make sure your rifle(s) are handled properly. Bruce has rescued me on a few occasions, for $200 it is the best insurance you can buy.

P.S. Gracy Travel's services outside of Bruce have fallen off as Gracy herself has stepped back. I really only use them for Bruce at this point.
 
Yes, there is a Frenchman that rarely visits this sight that only takes rifles in the hundreds of thousands in value. I would love to show them off here. But it’s not my place.
Unless it’s not replaceable it’s insurable.

An $8k rifle is cheap to insure with Guns and Trophy
 
Could you provide suggestions for gun insurance companies you have used in the past?
 
https://gunandtrophy.com/gun-insurance/

Instead of paying for UPS or post office insurance on gun shipping. buy a good policy that will actually replace your gun

And travel

UPS and the post office insurance is a waste of time and money
 
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