Ammo box for airline travel

mitch4570

mitch4570

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I know it's been dicussed before but could anyone recommend a ammo box to use for locking your ammo for air travel. I will be flying Delta.
Thanks
 
If I am going on from JNB and my ammo has to go as its own luggage, I use the Pelican 1200. If I am just going to JNB, I use a very lightweight Plano box. Sure, it's not as tough as a Pelican, however, if your ammo is going to make the entire trip in your checked luggage, having a lighter box saves weight for more ammo, or simply just saves a having a heavier bag.

This last trip I put 60 rounds of .308 ammo in a Plano box, it weighed 2.2kg.
 
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Pelican 1200 is perfect size for about 4 boxes of ammunition. The 1300 is a little bigger if you need a little more room.

The Harbor Freight cases are good quality and cheaper price. The problem is the small case is too small and the medium case is too large.
 
I also went with Harbor Freight. Steerage class though. $5.99 and it's been to Africa and back five times. Has held up fine. I wrap it end to end with duct tape after inspection "just in case." Also tape the lock to the side of the case so it doesn't flap around and get caught on something and ripped off. Put the duct tape in checked bag. Some airport security won't let you board with duct tape in carryon. Why? Who knows. But apparently it's a rule. However, I see the passengers duct taped that berserk guy to his seat a few weeks ago so the plane could continue on. Where did that tape come from? Looked like they used a couple of rolls too. When the cops deplaned him the screams could probably be heard in the terminal. Even his head was taped to the seat + hairy arms and short sleeve shirt. Ouch!!
63135_W3.jpg
 
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I use this SKB case. It’s a little lighter than the pelican so easier to stay under 5kg box plus ammo traveling to other countries. If it’s a crush proof case there’s really no wrong answer SKB, pelican, harbor freight. I’d recommend measuring your ammo boxes and comparing internal dimensions for what you need for 3 or 4 boxes any case you buy.
https://www.skbcases.com/products/i-series-1208-3-case?variant=51425178550571
 
Ontario Hunter said:
I also went with Harbor Freight. Steerage class though. $5.99 and it's been to Africa and back five times. Has held up fine. I wrap it end to end with duct tape after inspection "just in case." Also tape the lock to the side of the case so it doesn't flap around and get caught on something and ripped off. Put the duct tape in checked bag. Some airport security won't let you board with duct tape in carryon. Why? Who knows. But apparently it's a rule. However, I see the passengers duct taped that berserk guy to his seat a few weeks ago so the plane could continue on. Where did that tape come from? Looked like they used a couple of rolls too.
View attachment 795728
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This will be there reason there will be requirements for ammo cases in future. It hasn’t broken or cracked yet. There will be new rules when there is loose ammo rolling around. I’ve never understood your thinking but I won’t understand priding yourself on spending the least you can when you can get a used pelican case for $30 on eBay.
 
If I have to pull out and check as extra piece for internal flights there I use Pelican 1200. If I am being picked up and dropped off at Tambo and it stays in my checked bag all the time I uses a Plano Survivor case. It’s lighter and still holds all I need. All depends on the safari.
 
375Fox said:
This will be there reason there will be requirements for ammo cases in future. It hasn’t broken or cracked yet. There will be new rules when there is loose ammo rolling around. I’ve never understood your thinking but I won’t understand priding yourself on spending the least you can when you can get a used pelican case for $30 on eBay.
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The Pelican case is much larger. My baggage is organized very carefully. I don't budget for wasted space. Anyway, except for domestic flights in South Africa, ammo box can be stuffed inside checked bag after inspection. Am I worried about this cheap (but surprisingly sturdy) ammo box getting broken open while surrounded by a buffer zone of hunting clothes? No. Even in the unlikely event of a midair collision and the ammo case gets broke open and cartridges somehow found their way out of their twenty unit carton, where would the loose ammo go? Inside my socks and underwear. Big deal. Maybe airlines security have more common sense than you do. But that would be setting the bar pretty low. :D

This ammo case is wrapped up with duct tape like a Christmas present after inspection. Even if it got smashed on a domestic flight in RSA I can't see how it could leak any ammo.
 
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Ontario Hunter said:
Anyway, except for domestic flights in South Africa, ammo box can be stuffed inside checked bag after inspection.
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Maybe pictures would help you understand? Baggage handlers aren’t known for being careful with your luggage. That domestic flight inside South Africa or Africa is exactly where it would happen.
 
Here's my Harbor Freight case. Looks almost the same as it did seven years ago off the shelf in Minneapolis.
PXL_20260929_014553973.jpg
PXL_20260929_014623853.jpg

As you can see from the tag, it has survived many domestic flights in RSA over the years. The hinge is not particularly robust but so what. The case is encased with duct tape end to end over latch and hinge. And again around the middle under the handle (I'll give the apes access to handle, otherwise they might be inclined to toss or drop it). The only time I use the case is once every couple years going on safari. It should easily last my lifetime (which doesn't say a lot - I'll be 74 next week :D )
 
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Ontario Hunter said:
I also went with Harbor Freight. Steerage class though. $5.99 and it's been to Africa and back five times. Has held up fine. I wrap it end to end with duct tape after inspection "just in case." Also tape the lock to the side of the case so it doesn't flap around and get caught on something and ripped off. Put the duct tape in checked bag. Some airport security won't let you board with duct tape in carryon. Why? Who knows. But apparently it's a rule. However, I see the passengers duct taped that berserk guy to his seat a few weeks ago so the plane could continue on. Where did that tape come from? Looked like they used a couple of rolls too. When the cops deplaned him the screams could probably be heard in the terminal. Even his head was taped to the seat + hairy arms and short sleeve shirt. Ouch!!
View attachment 795728
Click to expand...
I have a few of Plano cases very similar. Even custom fit a couple of them for larger caliber cartridges.
IMG_20260928_215128924_HDR.jpg
IMG_20260928_215107491.jpg
 
Box and 3.5 inch thick polyethylene foam blocks from Amazon. Cut foam to fit and made a template and drilled it out. That one fits (42) 458 Lott and (30) 500 Jeffery rounds and keeps it just under 11 lbs.
 
I use two different cases depending on the trip and ammo I’m bringing. Both get locked and fit in the side pouch of the Red Oxx Safari Beanos Duffle, for quick access. This lets me quickly access them if I need to take them out to weigh, check separately, or let customs count.

First MTM Dry Survivor Box
IMG_0047.jpeg


Second Pelican Vault I forget if it’s the V200 or V300
IMG_0046.jpeg
 
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