Guns and Airplanes

[Vapodog]

In about a month I' m leaving from Minneapolis to Johannesberg, South Africa on my very first African Safari.

I' m taking a custom .300 H&H mag and a antique model 92 .25-20 for the small antelope.

The .25-20 has been in my family since 1925 and the H&H is a self done piece from walnut wood grown on my grandmothers farm......these guns are family if you know what I mean.

Can anyone offer advise about getting them there safely on the ariplanes. I' ll be on three planes getting there and the same getting home.

[doubleA]

The first thing I would do is put them in a good flight case. There are many cases out on the market, alot of them cheaply made so watch out. I travel with cases made by Americase. While not exactly cheap, they are one of the finest FAA approved cases you can purchase.

Most airlines will allow a (2) gun case in lieu of a piece of luggage, so size doesnt matter

try www.americase.com


Yours in sport..... AA

[Goodguy]

No advice......just freekin envious!! gg.

[ELKampMaster]

Vapodog,

Congrats on the safari, where are you headed and what are you after?

If you are targeting any of the Big 5, then remember you may need to at least borrow the PH' s .375 for that animal.

Try your question at www.accuratereloading.com under African Hunting. Be sure to mention your connections: Lincoln to St. Louis, St. Louis to Atlanta, Atlanta to Cape Town. They know the good the bad and the ugly of the different airports and where you can bribe (whoops I mean " tip" ) to make sure they go thru correctly and where you can' t, and where you should " lay over a day and personally check them in (again)" to make sure your rifles stay with you and where you can just catch the next flight and keep going!

EKM

[Vapodog]

EKM...thanks.....and there' s a lot to learn there...I posted the travel question but more than that, I got info that I never considered before....thanks again.

[Ruger-Redhawk]

Vapodog, Good luck on your Safari. You are very fortunate.I would get a well made hard rifle case.BassPro a couple weeks ago had thier Redhead aluminum 2 gun case for 59.00 instead of the Regular 79.00.These cases have a built in combination lock.They even have small wheels and a handle on the opposite end for easy transporting.I would really see what red tape you' ll have to go through.I read somewhere that you' ll be better off renting a rifle from the guide service.Of course everybody has different opinions.I would want to use my personal rifles .Whatever you do insure your rifles just in case they disappear. Allot of baggage is lost yearly. Don' t be one of the statistics. Have a safe trip.


Ruger Redhawk

[Vapodog]

Thanks for the advise.....I did run out and buy a Tuffpak case.....and wow...it wasn' t cheap.....I will put the guns in soft cases, then put them in the Tuffpak, then pack them with clothes so the guns are verywell protected.

I have inquired, and my guns are cover under my homeowners but not for damage.....only for loss. Actually they can' t be reimbursed because they are family and not ready cash to me.

I still have to register them at Customs so I can get them back into the USA....kinda like a passport is to get ME back into the states!!!

[Ruger-Redhawk]

Vapodog Looks like you' ve checked things out throughly. Smart move on your part.I might also suggest taking pictures of your rifles before you leave.
Ruger Redhawk

[soarkrebel]

No advice either just saw two of my favorite subjects togather in post and had to type!

[Ruger-Redhawk]

Soark You' d be in Hog Heaven if Honda and Remington were in this topic with Guns and AirplanesI don' t believe your 36 year old heart could handle that much shock LOL.
Ruger Redhawk