easily found cartridge choices vs. the latest & greatest

[GKPrice]

I see a lot of comments in many threads about hard to find chamberings, handloads and such IF you arrive at your hunt destination and realize you've forgotten OR you have lost your ammo - Even on "drive to" destination hunts I have loaded extra rounds and packs as many as 4 different limited supplies in random locations
What do you do .....?

 

[elkguide]

I usually take my main rifle and a back up rifle. (or my main bow and my back up bow)

My main rifle could be any caliber but my back up is always a .300 Win Mag and I can always find ammo for it.
In one of my rituals I do make sure that when I load the truck, that I put ammo in two specific places just to be sure that I have ammo.
With the rifles/calibers that I use, it's been a lot of years since I have used a follow up shot so it may be foolish to bring 100 rounds, for each rifle, but "just in case"!!!!!!!!

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I've only driven to hunt so far, I pack 2 guns, one is more common. My niche caliber is a 280AI so there is the potential to score some 280rem but that's not a bread and butter caliber either.

Ideally I'm with others and can borrow a gun for a shot if needed if on a LONG drive/fly hunt, or cry?

 

[duckhunter175]

I bring two rifles on travel hunts. My first is whatever primary rifle for that hunt/species and could be any caliber. My back up is a 25/06 or 30/06.

Right now I'm re-working my rifle collection to try and base more of my cartridges off the 30/06 parent case for purpose of reloading compatibility. 25/06, 6.5/06, 280, 30/06... the outliers being my .338wm and a 22/243

 

[hodgeman]

Ammo lives in my truck.

That said- I live about as remote as people can get and still have a store, any further out and you're not buying any ammo of any flavor...or a gallon of gas for that matter.

No issues buying whatever ammo I might need or want....they actually have a better selection than Fairbank's Sportsmans Warehouse.

 

[5MilesBack]

I put my rifle in the case, and then I put my ammo in the case. If I forget my ammo, I have also forgotten the gun....which isn't likely.

 

[luke moffat]

When traveling my ammo and gun are in the same place. Since once isn't of use without the other, like 5milesback if I lose one I might as well lose both.

 

[Eagle]

I put my rifle in the case, and then I put my ammo in the case. If I forget my ammo, I have also forgotten the gun....which isn't likely.

Can a gun and ammo be in the same case/package while flying? I was under the impression they had to be separate? Granted I prefer to drive to wherever I'm hunting, but in the chance I someday hunt Alaska, and have to fly, I'm not sure that would work?

 

[durangobrad]

Ammo can be carried within your hard sided case for your firearm

 

[Bubblehide]

Straight from the TSA

When traveling, comply with the laws concerning posession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock.
Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.

Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Ammo can be carried within your hard sided case for your firearm

Correct the issue is when the clowns in back reopen stuff and inspect it not everything makes in back into the case at times. I've heard of that occurring with ammo but also parts. My buddy flew into CO for a hunt and his magazine disappeared between the time he checked it and received it. Ideally if you can get the TSA inspection done in front of you and relock the case they ideally won't reinspect it later, no guarantees...

 

[5MilesBack]

How can the TSA inspect it when their own rules posted above state that "Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock".

 

[Bubblehide]

How can the TSA inspect it when their own rules posted above state that "Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock".

The TSA requires only TSA approved luggage, which they have a master key for.

 

[hodgeman]

The TSA requires only TSA approved luggage, which they have a master key for.

Nope. They will not let you lock a rifle case with a TSA lock. I lock mine with 2 standard Master brass padlocks. When you check it in- it is not opened until you open it at your destination.

If they run it through the scanner and need to open it...they'll notify you to come open it. BTDT.

That does not apply to normal luggage- which can only be locked with TSA locks.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

In my buddies case not sure if the fact they temporarily lost his gun and had to forward it to another airport closer to his hunt area had a factor or not (perhaps reopened it then). Not all hard cases have paddle lock points, so if it had "factory" latch locks, those are likely pretty universal to reopen.

 

[T43]

A few months ago I would have said I always have whatever ammo I need with me and it wouldn't be an issue. Then I had an enlightened moment after hunting season was over and I started trading things out of my safe to consolidate calibers. I decided that the guns I shoot the most are 30 cal so that is where I'm going. 30-30, 308, 30'06, 300 etc. They all do the job and I can get ammo anywhere if I need to.

 

[LaGriz]

GKPrice,
I have not done much flying of late. In the past a flew to the North East from Louisiana to rifle hunt in Maine. I remember that you could take up to 11 lbs of ammo. I would usually put my (2 boxes) ammo in an other checked bag (inside the orginal boxes) to seperate them from the weapon. I did this so some Psycho TSA or baggage handler could not go crazy with my weapon. The idea being, to protect both life and myself from a possible lawsuit. I did make me nervous when I collected my bags enroute to the hunt. Always wondered if I could locate a box of .280 or .358 ammo if the bag with the ammo got lost. Bigger issues were my boots being in the same bag along with some expensive wool clothing. (Maine in November ...BURR!) Never ended up having a problem. After the "lion and the Dentist" fiasco I will shop for the airline that is most considerate to hunters needs. I like to drive to my hunts when ever possible, for this and a host of other reasons.

LaGriz

 

[GKPrice]

GKPrice,
I have not done much flying of late. In the past a flew to the North East from Louisiana to rifle hunt in Maine. I remember that you could take up to 11 lbs of ammo. I would usually put my (2 boxes) ammo in an other checked bag (inside the orginal boxes) to seperate them from the weapon. I did this so some Psycho TSA or baggage handler could not go crazy with my weapon. The idea being, to protect both life and myself from a possible lawsuit. I did make me nervous when I collected my bags enroute to the hunt. Always wondered if I could locate a box of .280 or .358 ammo if the bag with the ammo got lost. Bigger issues were my boots being in the same bag along with some expensive wool clothing. (Maine in November ...BURR!) Never ended up having a problem. After the "lion and the Dentist" fiasco I will shop for the airline that is most considerate to hunters needs. I like to drive to my hunts when ever possible, for this and a host of other reasons.

LaGriz

DRIVING to the hunt is my first priority too - I'd bet that at this point in MY life that's the way it will play out - This thread sort of wandered from my original intent but in doing so it has made me think a lot about those sort of things .... As far as "hunter friendly airlines", I doubt there is a "safe" one out there because all it takes is an employee or two with an attitude to do an unsuspecting traveling hunter in - IF I were planning a hunt where I had to travel by air my first inclination would be to see if I could ship my stuff, ALL of it that made the hunt a "good trip",via UPS or FedEx ahead to the outfitter's address or some other that would agree to safeguard until my arrival - flying with guns & ammo OR anything else you would not want to lose or have damaged is a vexing problem ......