Traveling with reloads

I am not sure if its valid with all airlines, but I would read many times the rules of airline you are flying with. But my reloads are in factory boxes same as stamps on rounds, then locked in hard plastic ammo container and in checked bags. Seams like a small thing to do to alleviate any issues at airports. Too many issues already, too many antis and too much stress. Avoid what's avoidable.

MB
 
I just use hard sided plastic slip boxes that I tape shut and have had zero problems.

I believe that they just don't want the ammo bouncing around loose
 
I just use hard sided plastic slip boxes that I tape shut and have had zero problems.

I believe that they just don't want the ammo bouncing around loose
^^^ This. I started flying with my reloads in late 70s, never had an issue. Also, other than customs guys counting rounds never had anyone look at the ammo either.
 
Factory boxes is how ammunition is transported all over the world. If your reloads are packed in matching factory boxes you shouldn't have an issue.
 
+1 I use plastic slip top boxes for shells. Make sure you have them in a lockable box. I use a pistol hard case to put the ammo in. On your return from Africa they have required me to take it out of my checked on luggage and check it separately.
 
Most of the Rules Do not read that they must be in factory cases. They must be in a box that keeps ammo from rattling around . We use slip cases and print a label with caliber and quantity. I put a small piece of foam in top of slip case to keep them from rattling. We were checked once out of 5 trips and no problems.
 
I have taken my handloads on all my trips to Africa. As long as the ammo is not "loose" you are fine with ammo in a plastic box. Some countries require that ammo is in a secure locked container inside your checked bag which must also be locked. I used a Pelican gun vault, medium size and found it more than spacious enough.

Pay attention to ammo weight. Inspection/enforcement is hit and miss but it does occur. It is also best that head stamp on brass matches the caliber listed on firearm. I flew Ethiopian Airlines in June of this year and they showed more interest in ammo than other carriers I have flown.
 
I have taken my handloads on all my trips to Africa. As long as the ammo is not "loose" you are fine with ammo in a plastic box. Some countries require that ammo is in a secure locked container inside your checked bag which must also be locked. I used a Pelican gun vault, medium size and found it more than spacious enough.

Pay attention to ammo weight. Inspection/enforcement is hit and miss but it does occur. It is also best that head stamp on brass matches the caliber listed on firearm. I flew Ethiopian Airlines in June of this year and they showed more interest in ammo than other carriers I have flown.

What is the issue with weight?
 
You are restricted to 5 lbs or 11 kg of ammo on most airlines.
 
OOOOOPS, I'm only on my second pot of coffee...

I hate that metric to pounds stuff anyway.
 
I had hand loads for two different rifles in slip cases with foam to keep them from rattling around and tape to keep them shut this past January and had no issues to or from South Africa. Aside from the weight restrictions look up airline requirements for where they must be. Never with the firearm and some may request an extra locked container inside your locked luggage.
 
@375er

This question gets asked repeatedly
I'll take you on a trip down memory lane here on AH with some links. 2009 onward....
By no means a complete listing.


https://www.africahunting.com/threads/do-i-need-to-carry-ammunition-in-original-boxes.5206/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/packaging-reloads-for-intl-travel.1553/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/can-i-take-reloaded-ammo-to-south-africa.12931/
https://www.africahunting.com/threa...ackage-or-in-an-mtm-box-in-locked-case.47992/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/importing-handloaded-ammunition.13901/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/traveling-with-ammunition-via-air-travel.7262/


https://www.africahunting.com/threads/ammunition-box-in-luggage.61580/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/ammo-box.47807/
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/ammo-boxes.40139/

The guts from TWO MTM cases. Appropriate to cartridge size.

Cut with a Soldering Iron
80 and 60 cartridges.
300 Win Mag and .270 Win respectively.

Handled Deluxe Rifle Ammo boxes by MTM Case-Gard? - 100 Plastic handled ammunition reloading boxes and cartridge cases


A Pelican 1200 case.
Water proof, lockable with my own locks.

Pelican Products 1200 Case


How I figured out the configuration.


Ammunition Weights for Airline
Pelican 1200 Empty -- 1210 Grams
130 grain PSP Corelokt Box 20 --- 544 --- 3808 Grams
Plastic Box for reloads --- 98 Grams
Remington Cardboard and Plastic Holder --- 46 Grams
20- 130grain psp Coreloks Bullets --- 496 Grams
1 Cartridge --- 24.8 Grams

7 Boxes fit in the Pelican --- Total 140 Rounds --- 5018Grams


Over All Weight --- 5.02 KG


Grains per Gram --- 15.4323584 Grams
Increase for 180 Grains --- 55 Grams
Grams per Cartridge ---3.563940039 Grams

Cartrdiges 60 --- 213.8364023 --- 214Grams
Ammunition Weight --- 80 180 Grain 60 130 Grain --- 4022 Grams
KG 4.02

Over All Weight --- 5232
KG 5.23

Can remove 10 cartidges and be at the exact weight



IMG_1419_zpsbdee52e4.jpg



This is the image for the return flight.
 
To help everyone out a bit:

There are very few questions that have not been asked before so give this a go.

1. Search function on AH will get you so far. Start there.

2. If that fails to get you the answers to your questions use GOOGLE:

YOUR QUERY site:africahunting.com

reloads packages site:africahunting.com


Have fun!
 
I am not sure if its valid with all airlines, but I would read many times the rules of airline you are flying with. But my reloads are in factory boxes same as stamps on rounds, then locked in hard plastic ammo container and in checked bags. Seams like a small thing to do to alleviate any issues at airports. Too many issues already, too many antis and too much stress. Avoid what's avoidable.

MB
@MarkB
That's how I travelled. All my loads were reloads both whelen and 308 in factory boxes and never got a question or unlock my ammo box.
Bob
 
I have had two "questions" arise in travel to/from Africa.

Changing airlines at Joberg they weighed the lockbox my ammo was in and it was 5.2kg. They indicated the 5kg limit included the lockbox/locks, etc. To fill up the lock and prevent the ammo boxes from sliding around I had packed a few non-ammo items in the lockbox. I took those items out and was well below 5kg. It amused me that they had no concern with the ammo boxes sliding around with the items removed.

Leaving Tete they counted my loaded cartridges and fired cases. While hunting I had not picked up all my fired cases. This led to a very lively attempted conversation between my PH, who did not speak Portuguese; and the officials who did not speak English with him but had asked me to open my case in English. A charade by my PH showing shooting, running forward, ejecting a case, etc followed and in few minutes we were cleared to the boarding area.
 

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