Saw a Hunting TV show, gal shoot at a big whitetail, bullet hit about 6 feet low. Says someone spun his elevation turret at the airport. Says its happened before>>>

weird

Most people check their rifle's zero after traveling.

Airports can be hard on gun cases. I was on the plane looking out the window of IAH in Housotn and told hunting partner, look at that. That guys gun barrel is hanging out the end of his gun case. After looking a little closer, that gun case was mine. They banged up my muzzle brake really good and same for the sight on my Ruger Sgl action 44 mag.

Both still shot fine once we made it to Alaska but I worked the Airlines over pretty good. They must have opened my gun case and when they closed it left the barrel hanging out and didn't even have all the latches, latched. I was waving at the guy trying to get his attention.

When we got off the plane in Anchorage, I had baggage poeple with me when it came down the shoot. I said I told you so. At first they didn't belive me but when I told them what are you going to do when all those tree huggers seen that gun barrel hanging out of my gun case.

Needless to say it was the easiest claim in the history of Continental Airlines. I can't remember what they paid me, but I sent them a letter and the list price for a SS blackhawk and copy of the custome rifle that the barrel was hanging out. They cut me a check with in a week or two. I want to say they paid me 1400 dollars which was more than I asked for. I only wanted a new barrel for my ruger pistol and for my gun smith to repalce my muzzle break.

The next year I went Africa, different even better gun case. The baggages handlers in Pretoria must have side swiped a steal post or hit it with a fork lift, or something. Busted one of my locks off. I still have that old gun case, fixed it once I got back. Made quite a few more trips with it. I still have it in the attic.

I have many more airline hunting stories but thats for another post, another day.

Not entirely true. I fly a lot with a pistol. It’s always properly secured in the luggage but everyone I leave a state, that TSA decides they need to inspect the pistol. More often than not this is done behind closed doors while I wait, gun out of sight. They bring me in once the “check” is complete to verify and resecure the weapon.

You need to check with who ever teaches “Flying While Armed” in your agency. Although you are flying as a civilian, TSA should not be given your key or combination, all inspections must be done in your presence with you unlocking and re-locking your gun case. If a TSA agent says otherwise, ask to see the Ground Safety Coordinator

I carry both regular and TSA locks (even though regular locks are the TSA rule).
I put my ammo in separate, checked baggage (even though TSA says it’s OK to go in the gun case).
I remove my bolt and put a cable lock through the breech, and sometimes I even add a trigger lock (even though all of
that is not required).
I don’t argue with airline personnel,TSA agents or customs agents. This is not a wise thing to do, even if you are right. They can seriously inconvenience you. It’s not worth it. I simply try to do whatever they request.
I did ask to speak with a U.S. Customs agent’s supervisor because she was obviously going to delay me so I would miss my flight because she was an anti-hunter. (The supervisor immediately checked me through.)


Always check zero on rifles upon arrival at your destination. Always.

Highly doubt anyone spun her turret's. But.... there is a reason they call baggage handlers "bag apes" in the airline business. Suitcases get treated like crap. Rifle cases take a whole additional level of abuse because they don't neatly fit into the baggage cars or luggage bays or conveyor systems. If you check your rifle on ANY plane trip do so expecting it to get tossed like a rag doll into a brick wall multiple times on the journey. And you're a simpleton if you don't check your zero on arrival.

Just my .02 cents.