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

[Safari Dave]

I wouldn't risk it unless it was as simple as flying Delta directly to to JNB and nothing else.


On my last trip to Mozambique, in JNB I had to take my ammo out of checked baggage and take it as a separate item.

They don't care about the flimliness of "lockable box."

I just use the cheapest, thin metal, lockable, cash box that I can find, and it's never been a problem.

The lighter the box, the more ammo you can put in it without worrying about going over the limit.


It's as easy to steal a $100 Pelican as it is a $10 Walmart special.

 

[WAB]

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.

My thought exactly. You need to get down to two rifles. Go with the .300/.375.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

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

Can always put them in bullet down and then turn whole case upside down so the bullets are up! Lol.

Kidding aside, I get it as I use the J-20 MTM cases for my 450NE and wish they were bullet up. I’ve saved factory boxes to reuse at times too.

As far as weighing, I was checked one departing on United, not on Delta, and every single time Qatar checks, with the ammo out of the locked case and records the weight on my ppw.

 

[Sarg]

I have been weighed a Lot, I normally make sure I’m under 5kg with container but regs normally say without container But check-in Staff are fickle, on locked box, I have many types of light plastic ammo boxes that have a little padlock tab & a small padlock just incase one of those fickle check in staff push it, best not to cause a scene when traveling with firearms.

Larger model

Small one

All you legally need & always worked for me.

But I was flying all over the world at under 18yr with ammunition & had my quota (granted a long way back) can’t believe he won’t have 5kgs of his own if he has his own ticket ?

If he can fight in a War he can have 5kg ammo allowance !

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

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?

I’ve been checked and not checked on Delta out of DFW.
Emirates I’ve been check my one and only time with them.
Qatar I’ve been checked and not checked out of both DFW and Houston - up to gate agent
United and Lufthansa out of Houston I haven’t been checked on either
British out of both Dallas and Houston have never checked me

PM also sent

 

[Hunter4752001]

I've had my ammo weighed. I'd recheck with your airlines about ammo allowance for under 18 yr olds. Also check your airlines policies as some treat the 11 lbs as referring solely to the ammo whereas others include the packaging in the 11 lbs. Note that in some parts of Africa, the locked ammo case has to be separate from your luggage and therefore needs to be somewhat sturdier than if it was inside your checked suitcase.

 

[kpoynter]

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.

Your exactly right
The Double is for Buffalo only…which I want to use…
The thing I didn’t think of or realize is my son doesn’t get any “credit” for ammo…
So two hunters….one allotment of 11 pounds

 

[Cme1983]

Your exactly right
The Double is for Buffalo only…which I want to use…
The thing I didn’t think of or realize is my son doesn’t get any “credit” for ammo…
So two hunters….one allotment of 11 pounds

Just go with your original plan. I just texted the PH. He is going to bring you additional 375 ammo from their office.

Also you could cut the 450/400 ammo by 10 rounds and add additional 375 ammo. Im bringing my double so there will be additional rounds if needed.

 

[spike.t]

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?

Just to piss you off...back in the last century when I used to jaunt to zim and zambia for 2 to 3 months a year at different times messing around , I used to take "supplies" for friends..took rifles myself as well.....this was before Airlines even from UK were too bothered about you travelling with guns and ammunition.....on one trip apparently I had over 1000 rounds of different calibres....could hardly lift my case....this also before they had limits or were bothered by weight of luggage ...the check in girl said wow that's heavy...I said with a laugh..oh well you know those people in zim and zambia they want you to bring everything including the kitchen sink with you for them...she laughed and tagged the bag and off I went...

 

[45-70guy]

That 10 round 50 case is a good idea.

 

[Redfishga1]

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?

I have had my ammo weighed by delta and airlink. They did not weigh coming or going last month. Depends on the check in person.

 

[Hogpatrol]

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.

Handloader here, if borderline on ammo, I use the paperboard factory ammo boxes instead of the aftermarket plastic boxes. As far as weighing, a dozen different airlines, only Air France weighed my ammo case. On total weight, some airlines include the case so check with them on that.

 

[Mark458]

Handloader here, if borderline on ammo, I use the paperboard factory ammo boxes instead of the aftermarket plastic boxes. As far as weighing, a dozen different airlines, only Air France weighed my ammo case. On total weight, some airlines include the case so check with them on that.

That's usually the lightest packaging but unfortunately in Russ's case with the 450/400 and many other big bore calibers there is no factory ammunition and aftermarket plastic boxes is the only option.

 

[zephyr]

Last trip on Qatar they weighed my Ammo and Case
If traveling with my Wife half the Ammo goes in her bag that way if a bag is delayed or lost still have Ammo..
Travel with my Hand Loaded Ammo in Slip Top MTM Case Gard Boxes.. My 450NE and 505 Gibbs Ammo have to be Bullet Down ..
Rim dia for the 505 Gibbs is .635

 

[Mark458]

I have had my ammo weighed by delta and airlink. They did not weigh coming or going last month. Depends on the check in person.

Airlink requires the ammunition to be in a separate locked case and checked as an additional bag. I'm not convinced this is for security or safety reasons as much as it is to get some more money out of you. Not a huge deal and they don't seem to care about the weight other than that determines the extra cost incured. Takes about 10 extra minutes to go pay for add on.

 

[Philip Glass]

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?

1. You won't need that much ammo.
2. The answer to how strict they are is "It depends". Every airline check in experience is unique!
3. You can argue the case doesn't count but if you are over 11lbs of actual ammo you may get the back room blue glove treatment Don't chance it, just take less.

 

[375Fox]

5 kg is an international regulation not just an airline policy. I wouldn’t push it. From the US I’ve only had my ammo weighed by Qatar. I have had my ammo weighed for every internal flight in Africa. If there was a change in your planned itinerary for whatever reason where you have to recheck baggage, you could have a major problem.

 

[375Fox]

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.

This isn’t correct

• Ammunition, including case, exceeding 11 pounds (5 kg) gross weight per passenger

Flying With Sports Equipment | Delta Air Lines

You can bring most sporting equipment with you on your trip, though extra baggage fees may apply to oversized or overweight items. Visit delta.com to learn more.

www.delta.com

 

[kpoynter]

1. You won't need that much ammo.
2. The answer to how strict they are is "It depends". Every airline check in experience is unique!
3. You can argue the case doesn't count but if you are over 11lbs of actual ammo you may get the back room blue glove treatment Don't chance it, just take less.

Thanks…
Normally I’d agree… you haven’t seen my son shoot though… just kidding (mostly lol)
But.. we have a SERIOUS amount of quota…and I indeed plan on whacking and stacking some
We have 4 zebra..2 Grants..2 Thompson.. 2 White Bearded Wildebeast..Dik dik.. 2 Impala..Lesser Kudu… Duiker..Grysbuck..Gerenuk..Eland.
2 Topi.. 2 Oribi..2 Reedbuck 2 Warthog..2 Waterbuck 2 Hartebeast…2 Bushbuck.. Greater Kudu.. Sable..Roan.. Sitatunga…
And…Hippo, Croc, 4 Buff.. Leopard

So… I’m going to take as much of the above as possible and we have an extra truck to grab some and for baiting etc.
In Natron I want to take everything I can while there and I think I can do some damage on a couple of days with like Zebra, Wildebeast, Gazelles in the open
Now imagine how many just second shots you make to finish animals (especially larger ones)

 

[SETH RINGER]

DROP A FEW OF THE 450/400 AND ADD SOME .375. US A KITCHEN SCALE AND IF YOU CAN GET AN EXTRA ROUND OR TWO OF 300 IN DO IT. DOESNT HAVE TO BE EVEN NUMBERS