Taking rifle and ammo to the USA?

[Danny Fireblade]

I am looking at a trip for Elk in Colorado in October and was wondering if anyone has flown British Airways to the states while bringing a rifle and ammunition?

I’ve looked online and it’s all very contradictory, and it is allowed but with no clear guidance.

First hand experience is alway best so thought I would check here first.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I think Heathrow now blocks firearms not the airline itself.

 

[Malxwal]

Surely you'd have a plethora of suitable and desirable firearms to choose from there ? But of course, if you're particularly attached to your own rifle, you'd want to make that part of the memory.

 

[Jelen]

Surely you'd have a plethora of suitable and desirable firearms to choose from there ? But of course, if you're particularly attached to your own rifle, you'd want to make that part of the memory.

Yes, I would if possible. I'd feel more confident and as you say it' part of the experience to remember.

 

[enfieldspares]

I'd ask our US members about ammunition availability for the calibre you propose to take? For some like 9.3x74R may not be off the shelf if your ammunition gets lost in transit. Also be aware of cut outs on Mauser 98 actions and of the barrel is threaded for a moderator? I don't know but others will.

 

[Dunwaters]

You poor man.
You’ll jump through more hoops than a dog in a circus.
Start the work early and don’t change anything.

 

[Danny Fireblade]

It may be cheaper for me to buy a gun over there and bring my own scope to put on it, but I would like to bring my own if possible. I could do that as I’m going with my brother who is an American citizen and he can get it for me before I get there.
I know bringing my own can be done, it’s just a lot of faff.

It would make the memories that bit nicer if it was my own gun, but it isn’t a deal breaker.

And if I end up with an elk or a bear then I will be giving the trophies to a taxidermist to clean and ship for me.

 

[enfieldspares]

It would make the memories that bit nicer if it was my own gun, but it isn’t a deal breaker.

This 100%. It may be easier to reverse the process and buy the rifle there and then bring it back to the UK and have Border Force then enter it against a vacant slot on your UK FAC? It'd forever be that rifle you chose when you were in the USA. I like that. And as it is for your personal use no need to submit to UK Proof unless you ever want to sell it.

 

[MarinePMI]

@Danny Fireblade

You just need to apply for a temporary import permit, and have a valid hunting license.

CBP Customer Service.

It's been years since, but I had a friend from the UK come over and do some hunting with me. He didn't bring any firearms, but did get his hunting license before coming over (which I think you need for the temporary import permit).

Just looking at the form (linked in the page link above), you just need a hunting license for Colorado, address where you will be staying, and the information about your firearm(serial number, make, model, etc.). Submit the form and await approval. Once approved, from a US perspective, you're pretty much good to go. They may want to inspect the rifle at your first port of entry in the US, or at your final destination in the US (not sure which, but it usually is the first port of entry...so book a layover accordingly, if you have a connecting flight). Once you're past that though, you're considered just another (US) hunter, flying with a firearm. Not a big deal at all. In some cases, don't be surprised if your rifle case tumbles out at baggage claim with all the other luggage (just depends on the airport). Guns aren't as big a deal, or as tightly controlled in the US as they are in the UK.

Ammo needs to be in your checked in luggage (not the gun case).

 

[Danny Fireblade]

Yeah I’ve gotta get a small game licence, then apply to the lottery to get an elk tag, then I can add bear for around $60 I think, and a few other things too. It is a lot of work but going with my bro and his friend who have been around 10 times so hopefully they keep me on the straight and narrow.

I have an open slot for a 30-06 too

 

[MarinePMI]

Yeah I’ve gotta get a small game licence, then apply to the lottery to get an elk tag, then I can add bear for around $60 I think, and a few other things too. It is a lot of work but going with my bro and his friend who have been around 10 times so hopefully they keep me on the straight and narrow.

I have an open slot for a 30-06 too

If you've never been to the US, much less hunting in the US, be prepared for a good time, and a much different perspective on guns, ammo, buying them, and using them. My friend that came over years ago was shocked at how liberal we were with firearms, even in my state (which has some of the tightest restrictions in the US, though now Colorado has gotten just as bad). He couldn't believe we didn't need to lock up or have guns stored in a safe, much less leave a loaded one next to the door for any emergencies. <shrug> Just a different perspective....

 

[Danny Fireblade]

I have been lucky enough to have gone over there a fair few times and have taken deer and pig with rifles and a crossbow too

My bro lives in Texas so its fairly liberal to say the least,lol.

I am still weighing up all the pros and cons for each option at the moment.

 

[Cootmeurer]

Really not terribly difficult - but your choice of of airport for arrival will determine the ease of the process.
Some deal with firearms regularly and understand the process. Others make it much more difficult than it needs to be

Also, do not, under any circumstances, bring your mod. In the USA these are classed as Class III NFA controlled items, the same as full auto weapons.

 

[artschool]

I think Heathrow now blocks firearms not the airline itself.

why would you say that?

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Because that is what I read on here from various SD members experiences usually flying to a European or African destination.
I flew many times to the USA in the 1980-2008 period with firearms this almost always was from Gatwick airport and I had no issues in those days. Nowadays the UK seems to view firearms very differently.

 

[artschool]

Because that is what I read on here from various SD members experiences usually flying to a European or African destination.
I flew many times to the USA in the 1980-2008 period with firearms this almost always was from Gatwick airport and I had no issues in those days. Nowadays the UK seems to view firearms very differently.

they don't block firearms. the airport security staff are actually ok. border control can be difficult. its BA that have caused me issues in the past but that's more to do with incompetence than maliciousness.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

When you get asked/told to rack a Colt 1911 to prove that it is unloaded for the American check in steward of Continental Airlines "its the rule for the USA, says he" in front of the 400 odd passengers waiting/watching in the economy line it wakes you up after the early start to get to the airport, Gatwick that was back in 1997.

 

[Skinny Pete]

I would also check out United airlines as they do direct flights to Denver and may not charge the same as BA for handling firearms (£100 each way for firearm , £100 each way for ammo as it is packed separately)