Separated From Ammo

[trperk1]

For international flights it must be separate from your gun case. You can do it inside the US though if airline has no policy against it.

I know. This happened in the US, should have mentioned that. My point was making sure you had a copy of the regs with you. For example I had a gate agent try to convince me that my ammo had to be in my gun case on a trip to RSA a few years ago. She did not know the differences between US and International policies. Or just this year a gate agent tried to tell me that I couldn't bring my rifle to Argentina, even though I had a permit. Once again I was saved by having copies of the regs.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For international flights it must be separate from your gun case. You can do it inside the US though if airline has no policy against it.

Right. Don't try it in Canada. If changing airlines and rechecking baggage, they won't let ammo on the plane if inside a gun case. You may get into the country that way but won't get back home without ammo in a separate hard sided case (which can be stuffed in checked bag after inspected at check-in). Also, if flight gets canceled transiting through Canada requiring overnight stay, the guns and ammo have to be rechecked before boarding the next day (been there done that!). If no separate hard sided case for ammo, it won't be flying. Before my first safari I bought a decent lockable ammo box from Harbor Freight for five bucks. So far it's held up fine going on five safaris. I always duct tape the latches on both ammo case and Pelican gun case after inspection. Don't trust their latches. Then the duct tape roll gets tucked in checked bag. Some security agents at some airports won't let it ride in carryon. Lethal weapon in some countries I guess.

Another tip: INVEST IN AIRTAGS FOR ALL LUGGAGE, ESPECIALLY RIFLE AND AMMO CASES. I actually have an extra one in my carryon. I'm Android so can't see the AirTags but my daughter at home has Apple products so she can watch them and text me images of progress. With one in carryon she knows where I am respective of luggage, i.e. I'm on the plane but luggage is not. Very handy.

 

[Sika98k]

If you have an unusual caliber or a special cartridge, try to ship it to your PH ahead of your hunt. Correspond with him to see of he got it. It would be a small price to pay if you need to shoot your own ammo.

The logistics of shipping ammunition ahead of your trip are financially a nightmare. If flying into Johannesburg, Cape Town or Windhoek there are plenty of good shops to purchase factory ammunition in most calibers for hunting. Just Google online and reserve/pay for some ammunition to collect on arrival. Takes a lot of the worry out of the trip.

 

[Jack Stevens]

The logistics of shipping ammunition ahead of your trip are financially a nightmare.

Yeah, the hunter shipping his ammo in advance internationally to the PH seems to be illegal.

If flying into Johannesburg, Cape Town or Windhoek there are plenty of good shops to purchase factory ammunition in most calibers for hunting. Just Google online and reserve/pay for some ammunition to collect on arrival. Takes a lot of the worry out of the trip.

Not really. …. If you’re taking along a rifle in a less-common caliber - one that you’ve hunted with for years, and especially with handloads that the rifle is zeroed for - forget about finding OTS ammo in Jo-berg.

 

[Hogpatrol]

You'll be safe if you take a 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Safari Dave]

Not yet, but I came VERY close when flying Airlink from JNB to TET.


No one told me that I needed to take my ammo out of my checked baggage to become an additional piece of luggage.

Someone (I have no idea who), just cut the TSA lock on my primary bag and took the metal ammo box out and made it an additional piece of checked baggage..

(An Airlink employee probably deserves credit)


I got extremely lucky.



When I got to Tete, my PH told me that he didn't know where to buy ammo in Mozambique.


(I was carrying .470 NE and .416 Rigby ammo).


When I got to camp, there was some .375 H&H ammo and a few rounds of .458 Lott.


I guess I would have been forced to use my PH's .458 Lott, if my ammo didn't make it.





Our game scout had an AK-47. But, I don't think he would have let me use it on a buffalo...

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’m superstitious, so I take little comfort in saying that I’ve never lost my ammo. That said, I usually hunt with a .375H&H and a .243 and I know my Outfitter and PH has both…

This October 2026 trip, I’ll bring my 450 Dakota and my 375H&H. 300 Grain TSX and 270 TSX for my .375H&H for PG. Maybe 10 Solids for Tiny 10. If it all works out I’ll be using my 450 for Ele and Buff…