Which pelican for ammo?

[Russ16]

Just by way of FYI, here is a Pelican 1120 which will easily hold 40 rounds of 450NE or 20 rounds of 505 Gibbs. If packing 500NE in the J-20-LLD it will still accommodate 40, but it’s a tight squeeze where I’d likely take the bottom foam out.

@MacJenkins is able to squeeze I think 50 rounds into his 1120 I think with some combination of using Dillon Precision’s version of the J-20, maybe ammo wallets and then this awesome little proprietary (patent pending) design carrier his son printed. I have a photo back in our texts…but I’ll wait for him to show and explain. It’s like some Tetris Jedi mind shit…so I don’t want to steal any thunder.
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Is that just a big rubber band you have holding the top on?

 

[Rumrunner]

For most of us the ammo box is packed inside a checked bag. With that extra protection I’m confident the Harbor Freight box will be more than adequate at a significantly reduced cost. I have one and it is very well built.

 

[Spartan5]

I have the 1300 and have bought them used on eBay for $35-40. They are just about the perfect size.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Is that just a big rubber band you have holding the top on?

Yepper. Amazon special.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

For most of us the ammo box is packed inside a checked bag. With that extra protection I’m confident the Harbor Freight box will be more than adequate at a significantly reduced cost. I have one and it is very well built.

As long as you don’t take an Airlink flight, I’d say that’s 100%.

If you take an Airlink flight, within RSA or over to Zimbabwe, Botswana, or wherever…they flat out require the ammo box to fly separately, out of your bags as its own checked item. They don’t charge for it as a separate bag, but do charge a small firearm handling fee. That is why I also like my box bright AF orange. Just seems less likely left behind than a small black box.

Also why the super cute little Pelican 1200 almost seems too small to fly alone. Like it’s just begging to slip behind something. But expect that’s more hypothetical worthless worry than anything. Mac’s drug his 1200 all over Africa.

 

[Russ16]

As long as you don’t take an Airlink flight, I’d say that’s 100%.

If you take an Airlink flight, within RSA or over to Zimbabwe, Botswana, or wherever…they flat out require the ammo box to fly separately, out of your bags as its own checked item. They don’t charge for it as a separate bag, but do charge a small firearm handling fee. That is why I also like my box bright AF orange. Just seems less likely left behind than a small black box.

Also why the super cute little Pelican 1200 almost seems too small to fly alone. Like it’s just begging to slip behind something. But expect that’s more hypothetical worthless worry than anything. Mac’s drug his 1200 all over Africa.

I used the 1200 on my Romania trip last year. Turkish let me put it in my checked bag on the way over but had to check it separately coming back. Of course I care less if it’s lost on the return, but it showed up just fine, although I agree it seems like asking for trouble.

 

[Killo]

Do the cartridges have to go inside the original cart board boxes inside the Pelican box?

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Do the cartridges have to go inside the original cart board boxes inside the Pelican box?

No, the cartridges have to be in the factory cardboard box, or other non-crushable container. Most all airlines set out language like fiber, wood, or other non-crushable. I honestly don’t know what they’d say if you had loose rounds but I would rather avoid hassle of finding out.

Any kind of protective container that protects them and keeps them separated should meet the definition and any that are actual ammo boxes or wallets would work without question.

Not sure if something like an ammo slide with 5 rounds held in loops within the box, like tucked to the side or on top of a plastic J-20 box would draw objection or not. And if it did, what they’d do? Take the rounds, shake a finger? Can see it at least causing unnecessary and unwanted hassle/delay in the process…so I’ve not personally tried it.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I used the 1200 on my Romania trip last year. Turkish let me put it in my checked bag on the way over but had to check it separately coming back. Of course I care less if it’s lost on the return, but it showed up just fine, although I agree it seems like asking for trouble.

I’m the same. Most times I’ve not stressed about ammo when I bring my 416 Rigby. If my ammo was lost, unfortunate but no biggie, with a little time and hassle I can source more. Hand loads for my 450NE, not so much. October when I brought it I also had my Rigby so while I’d be sad if my double went unused, I’d still be in business.

In April I took my 450NE again, this time for my first elephant hunt. With Iran causing issues in March still I had to use Delta into JNB and then Airlink into Zim. I was nervous with the 1200 checked solo. Now my double was all I had along and super important to me that I use that particular gun for my first elephant. Had that little orange box gone missing, would have proven devastating to my trip. Not saying I’d have actually abandoned the trip, but it would have proven more than unfortunate.

Ultimately, I also had to then do Airlink back to JNB and over to Maun for a secondary elephant hunt after we struck out on the first one…so felt like I was threading the needle twice.

Now I’m heading back in October and figured I’d take my new 500NE this time, but also really love my 450NE so much. One thing that helps sway it is the 500NE is easier to find ammo should my little orange box get lost or delayed whereas the 450NE not so much. Luckily at least the 450 also shoots the Hornady factory ammo amazingly well, I just dislike it…and still a very unlikely event I would find it there.

 

[Skshyk]

Harbor freight, light weight fit more ammo and very affordable.

 

[Philip Glass]

Heading to Zim in August. I’m taking my 375 and 450/400. I’d like to take 40-50 rounds for the 375 and 20-30 for the 450/400 right up to the weight limit.

I have a Pelican 1200 but can’t fit it all in there. Also a Pelican 1500 that just seems too big. It would take up most of my checked bag.

What case is everyone using to take ammo when taking tow rifles. I’m trying to find the sweet spot of big enough but not too big.

1200 for PG only hunts and 1300 for DG hunts.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Harbor freight, light weight fit more ammo and very affordable.


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The problem with the Apache case is the 1800 is too small and the next larger size, the 3800, is too large.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

1200 for PG only hunts and 1300 for DG hunts.

Phillip, you’ve done way, way more trips over than I, curious why you step up to the 1300 for dangerous game? The 1200 maxes out at 80 rounds of 500NE, but it’s getting close to weight for the ammo and over including the case. If I bring 505 Gibbs and wanted more than 40 rounds see it for sure. I haven’t tried what I can fit in it for 577NE as I simply don’t have one or ammo to try.

I like the idea of the additional room of the 1300, especially if wasn’t dealing with 11lb limit. Also curious if you pack the 1300, if/when you place in your checked bag, are you using a Pelican trunk style too then? The 1200 seems to be about the max that will squeeze into one side of a 25” or 30” roller bag. Using a trunk style roller or Pelican trunk would make its additional depth a non-issue.

 

[Philip Glass]

Phillip, you’ve done way, way more trips over than I, curious why you step up to the 1300 for dangerous game? The 1200 maxes out at 80 rounds of 500NE, but it’s getting close to weight for the ammo and over including the case. If I bring 505 Gibbs and wanted more than 40 rounds see it for sure. I haven’t tried what I can fit in it for 577NE as I simply don’t have one or ammo to try.

I like the idea of the additional room of the 1300, especially if wasn’t dealing with 11lb limit. Also curious if you pack the 1300, if/when you place in your checked bag, are you using a Pelican trunk style too then? The 1200 seems to be about the max that will squeeze into one side of a 25” or 30” roller bag. Using a trunk style roller or Pelican trunk would make its additional depth a non-issue.

I can get 5 boxes of .300 Win in the 1200. If I go big bore I need the 1300 to make it all fit. I’d have say 2 boxes .300 and 1-2 boxes .450/400 as an example. I have no issues at all putting the ammo box in the Pelican suitcase. Surveys bigger than the 1200 but not that much. Packed and ready to go for Zim Safari #2 this year!