Flying with a Gun Cleaning Kit

[JimP]

@375Fox - agree, Nobody is getting strip searched (unless they request it !)

I tried the last time that I flew out of Denver but all that the TSA agent would do is fondle me with their wand

 

[Sideshow]

I tried the last time that I flew out of Denver but all that the TSA agent would do is fondle me with their wand

You didn’t drop the soap and a dove snake got you

 

[MacJenkins]

I’ve never cleaned a rifle mid-safari. I’ve seen no reason to. The oil just attracts dust. However, I always clean my rifles before they go in case for travel home. If something were to happen and my bags were delayed, I’d want to know there is no problem when I open the case when I eventually do receive them.

In 13 safaris I’ve only did it twice. One we had so much rain on a hunt starting Feb 1st in the Valley was greatful to get some oil in my bores of my 470 HEYM. The stock ended up growing outside of the butt pad a little over 1/8” by the end of the hunt.

Then last summer my kids put close to 70 rounds through my gun on the two back to back hunts over 3.5 weeks. I sent them home and carried onto another 16 day hunt so was good to clean some fouling out. Was it needed? Maybe not. I just didn’t have a ton of shots on that barrel to know how long it could go between rounds before accuracy would drop off.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Better to have and not need….because shit happens.

I mostly just use the shaving brush and bore snake to knock off the dust but I do a decent cleaning before locking it up for travel. A good CLP will cover any cleaning, lubing or protection needs.

Safe travels

 

[One Day...]

Regardless of whether one thinks that this or that is needed on safari, what is for sure is that if you think that it is needed, you better bring it yourself, unless you know your PH personally and you have checked with him beforehand.

I have been with a fair number of PHs which I consider good at their job: hunting, but in my personal experience, do not rely on them to have what you do not have, e.g. spare battery for range finder; basic rifle tool kit; rifle cleaning kit; flashlight on their belt when the sun goes down 3 miles from the truck; knife to gut the animal after the skinner/tracker has been sent back to fetch the truck; etc. etc.

This is Africa, if you think you will need it, bring it yourself

 

[One Day...]

I’ve never cleaned a rifle mid-safari. I’ve seen no reason to. The oil just attracts dust. However, I always clean my rifles before they go in case for travel home. If something were to happen and my bags were delayed, I’d want to know there is no problem when I open the case when I eventually do receive them.

I see your point

 

[Ridge Runner]

Whether to take or not take a cleaning kit boils down to:

length of trip,
number of animals one plans on hunting,
weather conditions you are hunting in,
terrain - soil type - in the area you are hunting,
check baggage weight limits,

My first trip to the East Cape, RSA was for 7 days, hunted 6 animals, my second trip to the East Cape, RSA was for 10 days, hunted 7 animals, on neither of these short trips I didn't bother with a rifle cleaning kit.

My third trip was 28 days, 14 days in Zimbabwe and 14 days in the East Cape, for a total of 9 animals. My fourth trip was for 42 days, 4 different outfitters, 3 different provinces in RSA, hunted 38 animals.

I packed a gun cleaning kit containing:

2 - 4 ounce spray bottles (travel bottles from Walmart), 1 with gun oil and 1 with fouling removal solvent,
some patches,
cotton swaps - Q-tips
1 each caliper specific: brass bore jag, bore brush, and bore swab
4 pc brass cleaning rod
2 cleaning rags - old wash clothes

Except for the cleaning rods, everything else is placed into 2 baggies and packed inside the firearms case.

Due to the length and amount of shooting I was doing I cleaned my firearms as needed on these longer trips.

As long as you stay within the airlines liquid limits you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[deewayne2003]

Bore snake, mini bottle of oil and Balisol wipes.

 

[fourfive8]

Why a bore snake? The only serious need for gun cleaning I can think of is if something like mud or debris gets stuck in the bore. For any thing like that, nothing more worthless than a bore snake. I put a cheap, one piece aluminum cleaning rod with slotted tip or jag tip along side the foam in my rifle case. I cut out a hole in the foam for a small plastic bottle with tight, well sealed lid of quality gun oil like M Pro 7 or Ultra-Lube. These modern oils also have good cleaning properties. Stuff in a supply of cleaning patches and good to go. Never had TSA nor any inspector question those. I also cut a hole in the foam to hold a couple of small star or hex wrenches to remove scope if needed and to attach the barreled action to the stock— any of my bolt rifles fit perfectly into the Pelican 1700 when broken down. These items along with my rifle are easily accessible and visible for inspection when the lid of the Pelican 1700 is opened.

 

[Mekaniks]

Rag, Bore Snake, Rem Wipes (or similar individual packaged) is all I take....

Several years ago I had a Hoppe's10oz spray can removed from my checked luggage by TSA and a nasty note left telling me not to do it again. ...So I don't take spray anymore