Ammo Weight on airplanes… How strict are they on 5kg/11lb?

[Mark458]

Hey Guys,

I’m headed to Tanzania on a 21 day safari soon and talking my son… he is under 18 so he gets no “ammo allotment” legally (I was told which I’m sure is true)
I’ve flown many many times with ammo, but I’ve never “needed” enough to worry about the weight limit.
Taking 3 rifles….
.300 WSM
.375 H&H
.450/.400

I weighed 60 .300. 20 each of Dangerous game ammo
100 total rounds is 11 pounds

I’d like to squeeze in at least 20 more rounds at least (especially if you mess around with sighting in when there)
Quick online search indicates they rarely weigh and it isn’t strict (but luck of the draw maybe on gate agent)
I’ve never had them weigh in over 20 years,but was never close to being over

Thoughts from the Peanut Gallery?

Of those calibers I would definitely pack light on the 375. Every safari camp in Africa is going to have some 375 H & H

 

[Russ16]

So related question. How is everyone packing their lockable case with ammo. What are you using to carry the ammo at shout wedding weight. This is mainly for hand loaders as factory boxes are pretty light. I have the MTM sliding top boxes for my 375. I haven’t found a good light pack able box for my 450/400.

 

[Andrew62]

Trying to take extra ammo would cause me anxiety that takes away from overall experience. 100 rounds of ammo is a lot of ammo!

 

[Mark458]

So related question. How is everyone packing their lockable case with ammo. What are you using to carry the ammo at shout wedding weight. This is mainly for hand loaders as factory boxes are pretty light. I have the MTM sliding top boxes for my 375. I haven’t found a good light pack able box for my 450/400.

Got these on Amazon and they hold my 404 Jeff and,458 Lott just fine.

 

[coreydb]

I always packed my secured ammo in my checked in baggage and included its weight with the overall weight of the luggage. Only once I was required to separate the ammo from the luggage and that was in Spain on my return trip. Officials kept the ammo with my rifle, but didn't charge me extra for the additional parcel.

 

[Russ16]

Got these on Amazon and they hold my 404 Jeff and,458 Lott just fine.View attachment 769217

I have similar. I can’t find one that will hold rimmed cartridges bullet up. For some resin it bothers me to have the bullet down on my 450/400.

 

[Mark458]

I have similar. I can’t find one that will hold rimmed cartridges bullet up. For some resin it bothers me to have the bullet down on my 450/400.

Have you tried putting small pieces of foam in the bottom of each cell?

 

[1dirthawker]

emirates weighed my ammo, called me out to the ticket counter, brought up my bag, had me unlock it, weighed the ammo. yup, pretty strict.

 

[LeftySixgun]

So my daughter will be hunting with me next year. I’m taking 2 rifles and 1 big handgun. She is taking 1 rifle. For balance, I plan to mix my heavy handgun ammo with her lighter weight rifle ammo.
And the other box of ammo will be my heavy rifle ammo and my light weight rifle ammo.
Do they care about mixing ammo as far as who’s is who’s?

 

[Mark458]

Have you tried putting small pieces of foam in the bottom of each cell?

You may have to use the 50 bmg 10 round cases and put pieces of foam on them to keep them from rattling around. Aria Ballistics Engineering sends their 500 diameter rounds in those.

 

[45-70guy]

I just went in may, the only thing they cared about what that it was not with the rifle. No one checked it, no one weighed it separately, no one even asked how much I brought or the weight of it.
Neither to Johannesburg or on the way back.

 

[45-70guy]

Delta's own website refers only to the weight of the ammunition and not the case. It actually doesn't even mention a case being required, only that the ammunition must be in the manufacturer packaging or boxes designed to hold ammunition as so the cartridges don't contact each other.

Flying delta with ammo I’ve just had it in my checked bag in factory ammo boxes and they never cared.

 

[Russ16]

Have you tried putting small pieces of foam in the bottom of each cell?

The issue is the rims won’t fit bottom down. I don’t care about rattling I don’t want bullet down and can’t find any that accolade the rim.

 

[Mark458]

The issue is the rims won’t fit bottom down. I don’t care about rattling I don’t want bullet down and can’t find any that accolade the rim.

Try these 50 bmg cases.

 

[Russ16]

Try these 50 bmg cases. View attachment 769231

Thanks but I really want to not be bullet down. I don’t know if those will take the cartridge billet up. I’ll order one and see

 

[Mark458]

The issue is the rims won’t fit bottom down. I don’t care about rattling I don’t want bullet down and can’t find any that accolade the rim.

These are 505 Gibbs rim down.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I’m taking 27 300 grain .375 H&H, 10 600 grain .500 A2 and 20 570 grain .500 A2 rounds in two Frankfort Arsenal 211 20 round carriers and three 9 round MTM carriers in a Pelican 1200. When I put on my two locks, I’m right under 5000 grams. Cow buffalo, and possibly giraffe, and zebra culls are on the menu, with maybe some smaller culls if available. It should be considerably more than enough, but I can make do with either rifle should there be equipment difficulties. That saiid, I’d imagine a cull impala at 175 yards will be pretty safe when I’m carrying the .500.

If I remember correctly, the Pelican 1200 is 1684 grams, and my locks are 100 grams each, so there’s wiggle room if I switch to a lighter carrier and locks before I leave.

 

[Russ16]

These are 505 Gibbs rim down.View attachment 769232

That’s great. I don’t know the rim or cartridge body size on 505 Gibbs. Probably similar to rim on. 450/400. I’ll have to look it up.

 

[Mark458]

That’s great. I don’t know the rim or cartridge body size on 505 Gibbs. Probably similar to rim on. 450/400. I’ll have to look it up.

There is room to spare with the Gibbs so I'm sure yours will work fine.

 

[BryceM]

Two people on a 21 day safari is rather different than your seven-day experience. He has a legitimate concern.

Were it me, I would maximize the most likely used. rounds - particularly for my son. I assume that is the .300. In fact, to be certain, I would park the .450 at home. The .375 is just as lethal a choice and far more versatile.

Oh, for sure the concern is legit. For 21 days it would feel very much on the light side for me too. 20 rounds gives you very little wiggle room if you need to troubleshoot a grumpy scope. But, from experience, I haven’t ever needed as much as I’ve taken. Not even close, including 2-week trips and DG trips.

I would probably ask the PH or outfitter if they could arrange to have supplemental ammo waiting, at least in .375. That one rifle could do it all, if necessary.