Flying with smallbore for JO's

[shooter'sdad]

Looking for any tips on flying with a smallbore rifle. Suggestions on TSA approved locks, packing ammunition, etc. We are flying Delta and the rifle will fly in a Pelican hard case. We are flying into Denver and out of Colorado Springs. I've read Delta's tips and requirements as well as those on the TSA website. Some things were clear others were comical and sometimes both in the same sentence..."Ammunition in excess of 11 lbs. per passenger or that contains potential projectiles is not allowed." What is the bullet if it is not a potential projectile?

Thanks for any insights.
Hoyt

[mtncwru]

With regard to the lock, do not use a TSA approved lock on your gun case; use a standard padlock or combination lock instead. TSA regulations state that the lock must be one that you and you alone possess the key/combination to, and a TSA approved lock is definitely not that.

And has often been stated here, if you're flying a PCP airgun out of C-Springs, plan on shipping your cylinder back. The OTC is well prepared to help you with that after JOs, from what I recall.

[dronning]

if you're flying a PCP airgun out of C-Springs, plan on shipping your cylinder back.

"plan on shipping your cylinder back" Why, do they get held up by TSA??

[mtncwru]

/viewtopic.php?t=36773

Yes, but apparently only at C-Springs.

[jhmartin]

Pelican case is fine for the rifle ... as stated above, use your own locks not TSA ones.

Ammo in a separate checked bag ... I recommend that you put the boxes in a small (1120) Pelican case or something like it. Something to contain a mess if the baggage handlers toss the bag a bit too hard ... and they will toss it. We just put in the gear bag.
We also use the 1120s for sights (please don't ship the rifle w/ sights on ... they do throw the bags)

Loosen the action bolts of the rifle to take any stress off the stock ... even in a hard case (oh, did I mention them throwing the bags? Oh, yes I did)
Take a jacket to the JOs ... if you need extra padding in the case use that.

Check your bag/case weights ... keep them less than 50 lbs to avoid the extra fees for "heavy" bags ... my rule of thumb is the heavier the bag the harder they throw it. (Oh, yeah, I did mention that)

You don't need to bring a spotting scope or mat ... just your OH stand.

Since you are going in & out of the Springs, SHIP YOUR AIR CYLINDER. If you try and fly it out of the Springs, you have about a 95% chance of it being confiscated. No it does not make any sense but we've been having to deal with that since Dec 2007 ... don't risk it. And since it will have to go ground, (cannot fly) ship early. USAS has cartons to ship it home for you ... I think they take $10 for that.

[shooter'sdad]

Thanks for the lock info.

Joel,
You mention loosening the bolt. Should the bolt handle be pulled up or up and back? I understand not to remove the bolt because that may make the trigger vulnerable. We are traveling with only a small bore rifle and not a PCP rifle.

[jhmartin]

You mention loosening the bolt. Should the bolt handle be pulled up or up and back? I understand not to remove the bolt because that may make the trigger vulnerable. We are traveling with only a small bore rifle and not a PCP rifle.

I'm sorry, I meant the stock/action bolts ... the ones holding the action into the stock. If the rifle is shipped with these tightened there is a bit more risk of something on the stock cracking as this pre-loads some tension into the stock.

It's OK to ship with the bolt in the rifle. I prefer to ship with bolt out and the FP spring untensioned and a rod guide in the action ... easier/faster to show unloaded at the airport

[Eric U]

I suggest taking the bolt out of the rifle and de-cocking it. Wrap it in something protective. It is more likely you will bend/break a stock if you leave the bolt in.

I also don't recommend loosening the action screws. This really accomplishes nothing but does risk damaging your bedding or your action. The safest place to keep your barreled action is securely bolted in the stock. If your smallbore rifle is an Anschutz round action, the front action screw hole is pretty soft and you risk damaging or ripping out the threads from repeated torquing and untorquing. I usually re-torque my action screws twice a year, whether they need it or not.

Eric U

[JamesH]

I don't see a reason to loosen the bolts, either leave them as they are or separate the stock and action completely.

[bdutton]

With regard to the lock, do not use a TSA approved lock on your gun case; use a standard padlock or combination lock instead. TSA regulations state that the lock must be one that you and you alone possess the key/combination to, and a TSA approved lock is definitely not that.

And has often been stated here, if you're flying a PCP airgun out of C-Springs, plan on shipping your cylinder back. The OTC is well prepared to help you with that after JOs, from what I recall.

I'm confused about this. If the lock is approved by the TSA, why then, would they require you not to use it?

LOL... federal government regulators at work!

So, if the TSA decides to inspect my gun case, what do they do? Pull me off the plane or destroy the lock?

[jhmartin]

I'm confused about this. If the lock is approved by the TSA, why then, would they require you not to use it?

The idea is that your rifle is security checked at the gate. TSA (or anyone else for that matter) has no business opening the case after that check.
No one should be opening your gun case w/o you present.

Sometimes, at say Southwest counters, they send the gun into the back and ask that you stay near the check-in so that if they do need to inspect inside, they can bring it back out and have you open the case.

Other airlines do the same, but you may get called back thru security to open the case if they need to ... and then you have to go thru security again yourself.

[mtncwru]

A "TSA Approved" lock is one for which TSA has a master key/combination so they can open it to inspect your luggage without breaking your lock. The lock for your gun case needs to be one that no one other than you, including the TSA, can open. As jhmartin said, should the TSA need your gun case open they will have you unlock it for them. This is why your name and contact information need to be on a luggage tag on the outside of the case; that way they know who to call if there's an issue.

Also, in every instance I've flown with a rifle case I've had to go to the airline's baggage claim desk and show photo ID in addition to my claim ticket in order to get my rifle case after my flight. So don't be surprised if it doesn't come up on the conveyor belt.