I'm looking at doing some more traveling to interstate events and time doesn't always permit me being able to drive so im interested to hear from some of the experienced air travelers.
How do you go about packing things like digital scales, loading presses, dies, measuring tools, bores copes, barrel vices/ wrench , front rest, rear bag, shooting mat etc etc??
Do you store your rifle in one case and try to fit everything else in something else? Do you substitute some of your normal loading tools for lighter options when traveling? What would be your average excess baggage costs?
I'd love to see some photos of some pimped out packing arrangements!
It's times like these that I wish I had started in f/tr instead of open!
flying with rifles and equipment
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Tim N
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My experience with air travel has been easy enough, if you are taking loaded ammo you will need a pre arranged permit and 5kg limit.
If only taking a rifle it just needs to be properly secure,( I use a pelican case with 4 locks ) and declared as dangerous goods on arrival.
I'm sure some airlines won't take firearms or ammo so check before booking.
Pre book extra baggage 40kg, it's much cheaper than paying at the counter.
The best way to move the heavy stuff interstate is pay one of your mates who's driving there(thanks John P)
Rules change sometimes so double check info.
Hope this helps
If only taking a rifle it just needs to be properly secure,( I use a pelican case with 4 locks ) and declared as dangerous goods on arrival.
I'm sure some airlines won't take firearms or ammo so check before booking.
Pre book extra baggage 40kg, it's much cheaper than paying at the counter.
The best way to move the heavy stuff interstate is pay one of your mates who's driving there(thanks John P)
Rules change sometimes so double check info.
Hope this helps
We don't rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training. Archilochos 680-645 BC
From what I found going to tassie
Yep declare rifles as you check in. Have permit etc for it with you as well as your flight itinerary and boarding passes if possible.
Make sure you get written approval for transporting ammo and have this with you and also seal your ammo box and tape a copy of your permit to transport onto it.
Try to pre purchase powder and primers at the place your going first. Either from another competitor or someone over there- I did that for tassie and had no problem sourcing powder and primers when I was there a few months earlier and a friend stored it legally for me.
Get a nice secure case and put foam on the inside and cut out all the spots for a set of scales, powder trickler, die boxes etc. I travelled with my rifle bolts in this box too, with bolt grease, boxes of projectiles etc any anything like that.
The heaviest bit is generally the rest and the rear bag. We were lucky and had people driving over and we shared them. But myself and a few others are looking at some lighter weight rests that can be taken apart and transported a little easier for travelling. A caldwell rock (the plain one) base is about 2kg then add a shadetree top is still fairly light overall and not too bad to cart around. You could even incorporate it into the case with all the rest of your gear as above. Rear bag you cant get away from, though I dont run a big bag like a mini gater or bumble bee or bigfoot so mine is probably light in the scheme of things. Unless you arrange filling material where ever you go and empty it out when your done.
Shooting mat- if you need something slim and light I would invest in one of those plastic bottomed picnic rugs from repco or supercheap or somewhere like that. They fold up into bugger all and can go in with your normal luggage.
I put both my rifles in the 1 box and it came to 28kg. Remember the heaviest case they will take is 30kg from memory. I believe qantas you dont get charged the additional baggage for fiream in a locked case. Dont quote me. I paid extra baggage before hand as well but you might have to pay an overweight fee when you get to the airport. Make sure you allow heaps of extra time for check in etc. I figure allow 20kg for clothing/toiletries etc, 30kg for the gun case with two rifles (or less if you have one rifle with a spare barrel or two) and another 20kg case with all your shooting bits and pieces.
Also for tassie I found it easier to have enough ammo pre loaded for the practice or leadup, then had spare prepped cases ready to load. Saves a little weight in your ammo allowance.
Yep declare rifles as you check in. Have permit etc for it with you as well as your flight itinerary and boarding passes if possible.
Make sure you get written approval for transporting ammo and have this with you and also seal your ammo box and tape a copy of your permit to transport onto it.
Try to pre purchase powder and primers at the place your going first. Either from another competitor or someone over there- I did that for tassie and had no problem sourcing powder and primers when I was there a few months earlier and a friend stored it legally for me.
Get a nice secure case and put foam on the inside and cut out all the spots for a set of scales, powder trickler, die boxes etc. I travelled with my rifle bolts in this box too, with bolt grease, boxes of projectiles etc any anything like that.
The heaviest bit is generally the rest and the rear bag. We were lucky and had people driving over and we shared them. But myself and a few others are looking at some lighter weight rests that can be taken apart and transported a little easier for travelling. A caldwell rock (the plain one) base is about 2kg then add a shadetree top is still fairly light overall and not too bad to cart around. You could even incorporate it into the case with all the rest of your gear as above. Rear bag you cant get away from, though I dont run a big bag like a mini gater or bumble bee or bigfoot so mine is probably light in the scheme of things. Unless you arrange filling material where ever you go and empty it out when your done.
Shooting mat- if you need something slim and light I would invest in one of those plastic bottomed picnic rugs from repco or supercheap or somewhere like that. They fold up into bugger all and can go in with your normal luggage.
I put both my rifles in the 1 box and it came to 28kg. Remember the heaviest case they will take is 30kg from memory. I believe qantas you dont get charged the additional baggage for fiream in a locked case. Dont quote me. I paid extra baggage before hand as well but you might have to pay an overweight fee when you get to the airport. Make sure you allow heaps of extra time for check in etc. I figure allow 20kg for clothing/toiletries etc, 30kg for the gun case with two rifles (or less if you have one rifle with a spare barrel or two) and another 20kg case with all your shooting bits and pieces.
Also for tassie I found it easier to have enough ammo pre loaded for the practice or leadup, then had spare prepped cases ready to load. Saves a little weight in your ammo allowance.
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Fergus Bailey
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Ok, my experiences travelling to matches nationally and internationally with firearms over the last 15 years:
1) I pack the rifle/s in a lockable hard case with the bolt out of the action, but in the same hard case as the rifle. I pack all my loading components, eg projectiles, cases, press, etc in a roller tool box like this: http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/upload ... oolbox.jpg I check both these cases with the airline. I then pack all my cloths into my carry-on bag. Most airlines will only let you check one 23kg bag. Qantas will sell you a second 23kg bag for $20 each way if you pay in advance. Its about double that price if you pay at check-in on the day you travel. Using this method, I can take all the items I need to compete at a Nationals or World Championships within the weight limit available.
2) As noted, you need permission to fly with ammunition, but unloaded firearm/s does not require written permission (at least from Qantas). HOWEVER, Qantas staff are often very confused about what is required to transport firearms. Therefore, I request written permission from their dangerous goods team, even if I will only travel with an unloaded firearm (which is mainly how I almost always travel to matches).
3) Be aware that some budget airlines (eg Tiger) will not transport firearms or ammunition under any circumstances. I have heard a few stories about Virgin from people travelling to matches, so I personally avoid Virgin. Qantas are ok to travel with firearms, aside from the fact that no two staff members on the front line have the same understanding of what is required to travel with firearms or Ammo.
4) Primers, powder and cleaning solvents can not be transported by air, so make prior arrangements with the match organiser or another competitor to source these for the match.
1) I pack the rifle/s in a lockable hard case with the bolt out of the action, but in the same hard case as the rifle. I pack all my loading components, eg projectiles, cases, press, etc in a roller tool box like this: http://toolmonger.com/wp-content/upload ... oolbox.jpg I check both these cases with the airline. I then pack all my cloths into my carry-on bag. Most airlines will only let you check one 23kg bag. Qantas will sell you a second 23kg bag for $20 each way if you pay in advance. Its about double that price if you pay at check-in on the day you travel. Using this method, I can take all the items I need to compete at a Nationals or World Championships within the weight limit available.
2) As noted, you need permission to fly with ammunition, but unloaded firearm/s does not require written permission (at least from Qantas). HOWEVER, Qantas staff are often very confused about what is required to transport firearms. Therefore, I request written permission from their dangerous goods team, even if I will only travel with an unloaded firearm (which is mainly how I almost always travel to matches).
3) Be aware that some budget airlines (eg Tiger) will not transport firearms or ammunition under any circumstances. I have heard a few stories about Virgin from people travelling to matches, so I personally avoid Virgin. Qantas are ok to travel with firearms, aside from the fact that no two staff members on the front line have the same understanding of what is required to travel with firearms or Ammo.
4) Primers, powder and cleaning solvents can not be transported by air, so make prior arrangements with the match organiser or another competitor to source these for the match.
I bought additional baggage prior to leaving for tassie. When I got there I got charged an overweight fee for my rifle case. I told them I had extra baggage allowance but they said it didnt cover overweight baggage. I think it was $40 or so. I just paid it and kept the receipt. When I got to the airport in tassie on the way home they said the same and I showed them the receipt and didnt need to pay another fee.
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ned kelly
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G'day all,
FYI after 17 years of tarmac operations with a major airline and a fair portion on the all night freight line, I can offer one piece of advice from watching precious cargo being loaded onto airliners, make sure you have it well packed as I've seen too many cases, boxes luggage fall off baggage trailers at high speed and no one gives a stuff. even loading the aircraft I've seen bags fall off belt loader from 3 m high.
If your guncase is not gorilla proof, don't be surprised if one day it is held together with gaffer tape and the contents in a very questionable state.
Even the best hard shell suitcases cannot sustain repeated abuse. I've picked up countless handles, wheels, zipper tags, etc from the apron (they destroy engines)
I'd rather drive than fly to a shoot, no way my scopes or gun cases are going to be used as Frisbees.
Food for thought.
Cheerio Ned
FYI after 17 years of tarmac operations with a major airline and a fair portion on the all night freight line, I can offer one piece of advice from watching precious cargo being loaded onto airliners, make sure you have it well packed as I've seen too many cases, boxes luggage fall off baggage trailers at high speed and no one gives a stuff. even loading the aircraft I've seen bags fall off belt loader from 3 m high.
If your guncase is not gorilla proof, don't be surprised if one day it is held together with gaffer tape and the contents in a very questionable state.
Even the best hard shell suitcases cannot sustain repeated abuse. I've picked up countless handles, wheels, zipper tags, etc from the apron (they destroy engines)
I'd rather drive than fly to a shoot, no way my scopes or gun cases are going to be used as Frisbees.
Food for thought.
Cheerio Ned
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Southcape
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BATattack wrote:A 10kg rifle, spare barrel in a case would be getting close to 15kg then add a rest that would be about 10kg and that's before a rear bag, loading press and dies etc etc.
You'd be pushing 40-50kg excess surly??
But having them in separate cases is the key. Rifle in one case with barrels. Then another case with all your shooting and reloading gear etc. Then another for your clothes etc. Rifle case isnt classed as an additional item but is subject to weight charges if over 20kg. Mine cost me $40 at 28kg. All my other cases came under 20kg each. If you need to just share the weight between the other cases.
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bsouthernau
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Fergus Bailey wrote:HOWEVER, Qantas staff are often very confused about what is required to transport firearms.
That's right. They seem particularly unaware that the rifle case isn't necessarily an extra item of baggage. I've found it helpful to have a printout of the firearms carriage provisions so you can point out to the check-in staff what their company policy is.
Barry
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bsouthernau
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BATattack wrote:I went to tazzy years ago on a hunting trip and didn't have any problems but I think things have changed a fair bit since then.
Brad does that mean I could have my luggage 2x 20kg accessory boxes and a rifle case??
Does this apply to international travel as well?
You'll find it all at http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airline ... /global/en and it applies to both international and domestic flights.
As an example, my rifle case is around 18kg. This means I can put a few clothes in a small case up to 5kg and this counts as one 23kg item. Qantas check-in staff don't usually know this hence my earlier advice to have a printout. I then purchase an additional luggage allowance to cover all the other gear.
Barry
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