Question about packing ammunition

[BeeMaa]

I carry ammo in the MTM boxes and have a little foam at the top to stop them from rattling around. Then I put those into a Pelican 1200 with little pieces of foam. I have them labeled for 375H&H and 300WM making it easier for my wife and I to keep our ammo separate. The little bungee keeps the lid from coming off if I just grab the top of the box. We use non-TSA combo locks and put it in the checked luggage.

 

[Mark458]

What make/model of locks did you use?

This is what I use and they work great and weigh almost nothing. I prefer combination locks so you don't have to worry about loosing keys.

 

[375er]

What make/model of locks did you use?

One of the smaller black Masterlock keyed locks. Not sure of the exact model.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I do exactly what @BeeMaa does with the only exception if I'm close on weight and need to save ounces, I use factory boxes with paperboard separators. I leave the ammo case unlocked for inspection.
Last trip to RSA, on arrival, the case locks were locked and it had inside a TSA inspection card.

 

[Jack Stevens]

I carry ammo in the MTM boxes and have a little foam at the top to stop them from rattling around. Then I put those into a Pelican 1200 with little pieces of foam. I have them labeled for 375H&H and 300WM making it easier for my wife and I to keep our ammo separate. The little bungee keeps the lid from coming off if I just grab the top of the box. We use non-TSA combo locks and put it in the checked luggage.

That sorta touches on a labeling/headstamp question I had also, since I have no idea how much scrutiny TSA or RSA/State Police, etc., give to a hunter’s ammo.

Say you’ve reloaded .375 H&H ammo for your .375 rifle in Nosler brass (so the headstamp says Nosler in that caliber), but you’re storing the ammo in Winchester-marked (or PMC-marked etc) 375 H&H factory boxes. In other words, the only discrepancy if examined is the make of .375 brass v. the name on the .375 box, not the caliber.

Any issues?

 

[Russ16]

Yes, and it is the entire container locks included that they will weigh. I would weigh it in advance on an accurate scale so you know for sure. I recently did this and ended up buying some different locks to get under the 11 pounds maximum.

On Qatar they removed my ammo from the case and weighed it separately. They only weighed it in the US did not weigh it in Harare on my return.

 

[dogcat1]

For me, I take extra ammo and leave it behind for the PH's.

Second - be careful on the total weight of your ammo. You can only take 5kgs or 11lbs. I have had it weighed on several trips.

Third - use your own locks and take at least 4 extra. Locks get damaged or lost.

Fourth - Pack it as securely as possible. Avoid the "rattle" of shells in the boxes. Original boxes are easier than MTM plastic for the inspectors to check. I have always taken the original ammo boxes.

Fifth - have fun.

 

[Mark458]

That sorta touches on a labeling/headstamp question I had also, since I have no idea how much scrutiny TSA or RSA/State Police, etc., give to a hunter’s ammo.

Say you’ve reloaded .375 H&H ammo for your .375 rifle in Nosler brass (so the headstamp says Nosler in that caliber), but you’re storing the ammo in Winchester-marked (or PMC-marked etc) 375 H&H factory boxes. In other words, the only discrepancy if examined is the make of .375 brass v. the name on the .375 box, not the caliber.

Any issues?

As long as it's the same caliber there shouldn't be any problems

 

[BeeMaa]

That sorta touches on a labeling/headstamp question I had also, since I have no idea how much scrutiny TSA or RSA/State Police, etc., give to a hunter’s ammo.

Say you’ve reloaded .375 H&H ammo for your .375 rifle in Nosler brass (so the headstamp says Nosler in that caliber), but you’re storing the ammo in Winchester-marked (or PMC-marked etc) 375 H&H factory boxes. In other words, the only discrepancy if examined is the make of .375 brass v. the name on the .375 box, not the caliber.

Any issues?

Truthfully, I’ve yet to see an agent in RSA really care. I’ve heard horror stories about driving across the border to Zimbabwe, but that’s about it.

 

[Tucketed]

If your on Delta you can put ammo in your checked bags both to and from Johannesburg. If internal flights you need it separated. I use a locked box in my checked bag just in case or using Airlink. It’s much less hassle than checking the ammo separately. Both of my last two hunts I did this with no issues.

 

[Andrew62]

The South African regulations and airline rules are generally written around a 5 kg ammunition limit. My understanding is that this should apply to the ammunition together with its immediate cartridge packaging — for example, the factory 20-round boxes or MTM cartridge boxes that hold and separate the cartridges.

That is different from the separate lockable outer ammunition case that some countries or airlines require the ammunition boxes to be carried in, particularly when departing South Africa. In other words, the locked case is a required transport/security container, but it is not the same thing as the immediate cartridge packaging.

That said, this distinction can be lost at check-in. Some airline clerks may simply put the entire locked ammo case on the scale and treat that as the ammunition weight. For that reason, the safest practical approach is to keep the ammunition plus its cartridge boxes and container under 5 kg, and also to use as light an outer locked ammo case as possible so the total weight does not invite an argument at the counter.

Brilliantly written post!!

As an aside, it would be interesting to know how many hunters have actually had anyone in the SAPS office ever ask them to show them their ammo on arrival.

 

[deewayne2003]

The South African regulations and airline rules are generally written around a 5 kg ammunition limit. My understanding is that this should apply to the ammunition together with its immediate cartridge packaging — for example, the factory 20-round boxes or MTM cartridge boxes that hold and separate the cartridges.

That is different from the separate lockable outer ammunition case that some countries or airlines require the ammunition boxes to be carried in, particularly when departing South Africa. In other words, the locked case is a required transport/security container, but it is not the same thing as the immediate cartridge packaging.

That said, this distinction can be lost at check-in. Some airline clerks may simply put the entire locked ammo case on the scale and treat that as the ammunition weight. For that reason, the safest practical approach is to keep the ammunition plus its cartridge boxes and container under 5 kg, and also to use as light an outer locked ammo case as possible so the total weight does not invite an argument at the counter.

This! We’ve had several threads and has to be hundreds of posts on the matter, but @SCmackey summed it usually beautifully.

“Ammo must be stored in factory packaging OR packaging specifically designed for storing ammunition; loose ammo will not be permitted” - I believe is the verbiage.

11lbs of ammo- yes I believe the 11lbs is ammo only not including case and locks; but when dealing with airport workers I’m not in the mood to argue so keep the total under 11lbs.

Zimbabwe 2024 I went round trip and nobody ever weighed my ammo, they just asked if it was under 5kg.

 

[Killo]

That sorta touches on a labeling/headstamp question I had also, since I have no idea how much scrutiny TSA or RSA/State Police, etc., give to a hunter’s ammo.

Say you’ve reloaded .375 H&H ammo for your .375 rifle in Nosler brass (so the headstamp says Nosler in that caliber), but you’re storing the ammo in Winchester-marked (or PMC-marked etc) 375 H&H factory boxes. In other words, the only discrepancy if examined is the make of .375 brass v. the name on the .375 box, not the caliber.

Any issues?

Just did That

NO PROBLEM

 

[LuikoBM]

Just being curious, are you doing a management hunt for tons of animals that would require 3 boxes of 9.3x62 ammo? If not, perhaps pack 2 boxes of your 9.3x62 and 1 box of .30.06?

Hello,
I don't really know exactly what I'll be hunting.
Initially, my list was quite long. After reading this forum and watching videos, I decided it was more realistic to aim for five trophies—eland, kudu, nyala, bushbuck, and warthog—but I’m keeping an open mind regarding what might come up or what might be offered during the eight days of actual hunting. I chose the 9.3 with my primary target—the eland—in mind. I also decided to bring the .30-06 barrel because my PH advised me to bring both to avoid issues in South Africa, given that the .30 is the original barrel and the 9.3 is the secondary one. I probably won't need that much ammunition, but a box of 80 9.3 cartridges weighs 3.6 kg, so I’d rather have more than enough. For the 9.3, I’m bringing 285-grain Norma Oryx, and for the .30-06, I’ll likely use 180-grain Partitions, though I haven't fully decided on that yet.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

If your on Delta you can put ammo in your checked bags both to and from Johannesburg. If internal flights you need it separated. I use a locked box in my checked bag just in case or using Airlink. It’s much less hassle than checking the ammo separately. Both of my last two hunts I did this with no issues.

if you fly Airlink you will required to check your ammo box separately and they will not charge you to do so.

 

[Mark458]

if you fly Airlink you will required to check your ammo box separately and they will not charge you to do so.

They have charged me extra each time.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

They have charged me extra each time.

3 trips on Airlink so far over the last 3 years and no charge for the ammo. just checked the Airlink site and it says if you exceed 40 kg for your checked bag, rifle case, and ammo box all together then you will be charged an access baggage fee .

 

[hunt4fun]

An extra question about this: on my trip to SA in a couple of weeks, I am planning on my son-in law checking two rifles for us and me putting the ammo for both rifles in my checked baggage. Is this a problem?

 

[Andrew62]

An extra question about this: on my trip to SA in a couple of weeks, I am planning on my son-in law checking two rifles for us and me putting the ammo for both rifles in my checked baggage. Is this a problem?

Maybe others will say differently, but I’m pretty sure that’s a No No!! Whoever is checking the gun will have to have the ammo in their bag.

 

[375er]

Do NOT attempt this. You will have problems beyond your wildest dreams!!