Today marks a New Year. 2020 is behind us (thank goodness!). We should start “Having Fun in 2021″. With that spirit, here are five “fun and games” targets. While each requires good conventional marksmanship skills — hitting a small aiming point — there are other strategies involved, such as playing darts or “making change” by hitting the right combination of coins. Most of us started shooting as kids, just plinking for fun. Here’s an opportunity to be like a kid again — to spend a day at the range just having fun with friends and family members.
Dartboard Target with Colored Rings
This printable Dartboard Shooting Target has the numbers inside the outer dartboard ring to allow a larger target. With this target you can shoot for the center bull, or actually play pub-style dart games, aiming for numbers and particular rings. If you don’t know how to play traditional dart games, visit NiceDarts.com for complete darts rules. One popular game is “Around The World”. The object is to hit the numbered zones, starting with number 1. Then you try for 2, 3, and so on. After hitting all the numbers 1 through 20, then hit the bullseye to win. CLICK HERE for Other Dart Board Color combinations.
American Coins Target — Make Change
This unique American Coin Target features actual-sized Eisenhower Dollars, Susan B. Anthony Dollars, and Kennedy Half Dollars in the top row. Below are rows of Quarters, Dimes, Nickels, and Pennies in descending order. NOTE: A U.S. Quarter has a diameter of approximately 1 inch, so it’s One MOA at 100 Yards. NOTE: When printing, select “100%” value and landscape mode — NOT “fit to page”! That will keep the dimensions of the coins accurate. Combining math with marksmanship, this target lets kids practice their math skills while having fun. Choose a money amount (such as $2.57 or $3.73), and “make change” by shooting a combination of coins.
NSSF Billiards Table Target
This Billiards Table Target offers 15 brightly-colored numbered balls with the cue ball at the bottom. Aim for the numbers, shooting 1-15 in sequence, or alternate between stripes and solids. You can also draw an “X” on the white cue ball (or attach a paster), and use that to set your zero. This target is fun for shooting outdoors with rifles at 50 or 100 yards or indoors with pistols.
This billiards target is part of a set of 12 Fun Targets from the NSSF. These were issued a couple seasons back for National Shooting Sports Month, held in August of each year. The other free targets include Golf Links, Bowling Pins, Fireworks, Baseball Diamond, Dutch Windmill, Water Balloons, Light Bulbs, Dartboard, and three Bullseye targets.
Flies in Circles Target
Now you can boast to your buddies that you hit a fly on your target — 16 times. On this target, 16 flies with bright red eyes are arranged in a inside circles, 16 to a page. There are various ways to use the fly targets. Some shoot to hit the head only — so aim for those red eyes. There are 11 other variations of this Fly Target available on the Targets.WS website.
Tic-Tac-Toe Fun Game Target
This Tic-Tac-Toe Shooting Game Target lets you challenge your shooting buddies at the range. One player can shoot the red triangles, while the other shoots the white zones, taking turns. You proceed just like a regular Tic-Tac-Toe game, alternating shots, with the goal of getting three of the same color in a row. This is a fun game for a parent and a young family member. You’ll find other fun targets on Targets4free.com.
Special BONUS — AccurateShooter.com Load Development Target
Our Load Development Target has been used by tens of thousands of shooters. It has proven very popular, since all your load data fits neatly in the boxes under each target. In fact this target is being employed by both rifle-makers (Bergara) and barrel-makers (including Criterion) to test their products. The target was designed for aiming efficiency. The red diamonds have 1/2″ sides and you can align your cross-hairs on the horizontal and vertical lines. It is a clean design that is easy to see even at 200 yards with a 20X scope. NOTE: When we test, we usually crank in a little elevation, setting the point-of-impact higher, so our shots fall in the gray circles. That way you leave the red diamonds intact for precise aiming.
These days, online gun Auctions and Classifieds attract more attention than ever. With so many folks accessing the internet daily, many gun owners find it easier to sell their firearms online rather than in the local gun store. Online selling opens up a much larger audience. With over 76,500 members in the AccurateShooter Forum, we have a very active gun Classifieds area. And then of course, there are the big dogs — Gunbroker and GunsAmerica. You’ll find tens of thousands of guns for sale on those big sites.
Before selling your stuff online, you should survey the major online sales and auction sites, comparing their fees and features. The costs are NOT all the same. For example, though you can list an item on Gunbroker for free, if the gun sells you may end up paying a LOT of money. Confirm this with the Gunbroker FEE Calculator. Using Gunbroker’s Fee Calculator we determined that, for a $2500.00 gun, the seller will pay $108.00 in fees! Yes, that’s for a single sale.
That’s why many sellers prefer to list their rifles on Benchrest.com, or on the AccurateShooter.com FORUM Classifieds. Currently, basic Accurate Forum members get two (2) free adverts in a 12-month period, while Gold and Silver members get unlimited classifieds for 12 months. A $30 Silver membership is less than you’d pay to sell one single $600 item on Gunbroker ($32.00 fee).
SEVEN TIPS for Selling Your Gear Online
1. Include Good, Sharp Photos: A custom rifle or expensive optic will sell two to three times as quickly, at a higher price, if you include good sharp photos. We can’t over-emphasize the importance of good photos. For all products, show multiple angles, and include the original boxes if you still have them. For a rifle, include detail shots as well as a photo of the complete gun.
2. Resize Your Photos Before Posting: Half of users will probably be viewing your ads with a smartphone. So you don’t need huge photos. We recommend you size your photos down to 1000 pixels wide. This will make uploads more efficient and ensure the Forum server can handle the file sizes.
3. Be Fair and Complete in Your Description: Buyers appreciate honesty and thoroughness in product descriptions. Potential buyers want details. For a rifle, list the gunsmith, barrel-maker, round count, and provide the specifications. If the rifle has a winning competition history, say so. Always highlight the positives in your description, but you should disclose significant flaws. A buyer will be more willing to purchase if he thinks the seller is 100% honest.
4. Don’t Forget Contact Info: We’re amazed by how many adverts omit key contact info. In a forum classified ad, include a first name, e.g. “Ask for Dan.” We also suggest you list your residence city and state. Some buyers will prefer to buy from a seller in their home state. When communicating with a buyer, provide your phone number and email address. We recommend that all buyers and sellers actually talk live on the phone before concluding high-value deals.
5. Make the Price Attractive: Buyers, everywhere, are looking for good deals. If you want your item to move quickly, set the price accordingly and don’t expect top dollar. Check comparable listings and then discount by 10-15% if you want the item to move fast.
6. Include a Call to Action: Advertisements can be twice as effective if they include a “Call to Action”, i.e. a statement that directly inspires the potential buyer to respond. Sample calls to action are: “Free Shipping — today only.” Or, you can use a time limit: “Special Sale Price good ’til the end of the month”.
7. Always Follow ALL Applicable Laws: Even in states where private face-to-face gun sales are allowed, we recommend ALWAYS using an FFL for firearms transfers. This will protect YOU the seller. In addition, do your homework. Don’t sell to a buyer in a city or state (such as California) state or city where the particular firearm (such as an AR15) may be restricted
Classified Advert vs. Auctions For benchrest, F-Class, Silhouette, Tactical or High Power rifles, you may get the best results posting a For Sale ad on a Forum that caters to the right discipline. You want your ad to reach the right audience. On the other hand, a GunBroker.com auction will have tens of thousands of potential buyers. Realistically, however, if you price your rig attractively, it should sell quickly in a Forum Classified Advert. Plus with conventional Classifieds, you can sell immediately — you don’t have to wait for the auction to end. For scopes and reloading equipment (but not firearms, actions, barrels etc.), also consider eBay, which still allows many gun-related items.
Thousands of new products will be on display at SHOT Show 2025, the major gun industry trade show held each January in Las Vegas. The official SHOT Show Product Planner offers a “sneak peak” at 242 new-for-2025 products for hunters and shooters. More will come in the weeks ahead. Here are eight interesting new products for gun owners and reloaders. Since these are all recently-released items, we haven’t been able to test them yet. Product profiles are based on descriptions provided by the manufacturers. We will run a separate feature on new pistols and rifles that will debut in 2025.
SPACE Smart Safes offer real-time access, remote connectivity, 2-factor security, and advanced protection, making them safer and smarter than ordinary safes. The Smart Safe offers notable features: Touchscreen: The front interface offers settings for managing fingerprints, accessing PIN recovery options, and adding users. Live Video Tracking: Interior and exterior cameras accessed via mobile App show who attempts access and what they touch. Lockdown Mode: When activated, the screen becomes unusable, a loud alarm sounds, and a warning is displayed. Two-factor authentication: 2FA adds an extra layer of security and protection
HCA’s hybrid barrel-wrapping method provides the strength of parallel fiber orientation with the classic look and pressure control of filament winding. Made with high-quality, stress-relieved and cryogenically-treated 416R stainless steel barrel cores, these HCA Barrels feature a high-modulus carbon composite with a stress-free mechanical and chemical bond (HCA’s proprietary fiber orientation and hybrid wrap). With high strength-to-weight ratio, these barrels dissipate heat faster than traditional steel barrels and hold up to high shot-string volumes without degrading accuracy. Barrel are hand-wrapped and inspected visually and with precise measuring equipment. These barrels are hand-lapped and slugged to achieve less than .00015″ land/groove variation from breach to muzzle.
New Goliath™ Big Bore Bipods are purpose-built for long range precision shooting with customizable pan and tilt settings. Goliath bipods are extra wide, low, and sturdy with tactile oversized adjustments. These strong bipods are .50 Cal-rated. The UTG® Goliath Bipod features a wide, stable 60° open angle with independent tension adjustable tilting and panning up to 40° and 28°. The 3-position foldable and height-adjustable legs lock securely and have oversized rubber feet. The modular base is equipped with a tension adjustable Quick Release Picatinny mount, with future QR ARCA mount options. There are two models: TL-BPFS02Q with 8.01″ – 12.24″ height and TL-BPFS03Q with 5.90″ – 8.05″ height.
This brilliant innovation could truly be a big game-changer for handgun competitors. The new SG Sight Pro “smart shooting glasses” from Shooters Global feature a video camera that can record your shooting sessions. In addition, this advanced safety eyewear boasts a Heads-Up Display that connect to SG Shot Timer and can display various information on the lens. The built-in camera allows you to record first-person videos of your shooting sessions, with overlay of shot times and other data from SG Timer and SG Pulse. Note: The camera module can be sold separately and adjusted to different eye protection products. NOTE: This item is so new it is not yet shown on the Shooters Global website.
The hi-viz orange Action-Chek Gun Wrap serves to prevent accidental discharge of firearms. Use of these Gun Wraps will introduce a cautionary step before one puts a finger on the trigger. The Action-Chek provides a visual warning that firearms should be first checked for loaded condition before handling such as in training, target shooting, or storage settings. Observable from a distance, the Action-Chek indicates that the firearm chamber is empty in compliance with the facility, competition or other special event rules. The standard gun wrap configuration covers most controls of firearms when properly installed. The Action-Chek wrap must be removed prior to firearm use. This serves as a more significant safety protection than simple empty chamber indicators.
The AKASO Seemor is the world’s first AI-ISP full-color night vision goggle system. By combining the AI-ISP technology widely used in the automotive industry with 1/1.79″ CMOS sensors, Seemor achieves superior color reproduction and a visual range of over 1640 feet (500m), surpassing its competitors even in darker environments. Additionally, Seemor features two modes, allowing you to switch between AI full-color mode and a 7-level IR black-and-white mode, providing an exceptional night vision experience. The Seemor system provides much better color intensity compared to other night vision goggles.
The Kini Motion Sensor can tell you instantly if your firearms, laptop, or other valuable possessions have been moved. Kini’s Discreet, Versatile & Innovative Wireless Technology is designed to boost the security of your valuable or dangerous assets. The advanced, cutting-edge motion sensor delivers swift, reliable alerts to mobile devices, enabling quick responses to unauthorized access and tampering of safes and other secure storage while and ensuring peace of mind. This Motion Sensor provides Immediate SMS notifications within 10 seconds that go to your phone or mobile device. It easily pairs with Wi-Fi, no additional hardware or App required. The unit is efficient — it functions over a year on a single charge.
Thompson Grinders Inc. is a third-generation family-owned business that started in 1964. If you are looking for a company with strong values, you have come to the right spot. No matter if it’s a custom tool, resharpen or in the gun industry. Thompson Grinders, which offers a wide selection of bore reamers, was the first company in the USA that offered standard piloted bore reamers. Our method stabilizes and guides the reamer from start to finish. The best-kept secret is out, and we are honored to be a part of the Shot Show.
Holiday Greetings to Our Readers
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our readers and especially our 76,400+ Forum Members. This marks our 20th Christmas “in business”, and the site is stronger than ever thanks to our Gold and Silver Forum members and industry sponsors. AccurateShooter.com is now accessed by over 600,000 visitors every month, who enjoy our Shooters’ Forum, Daily Bulletin, Cartridge Guides, and Feature Articles. Part of the reason for that success is the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteer helpers.
Unsung Heroes Deserve Recognition
We acknowledge those guys who have really helped out the site. Number one is skilled F-Class shooter Praveen K. who serves as our System Admin. Along with being a talented trigger-puller, Praveen is a super-smart computer wizard who has kept our servers running smoothly and helped with vital software upgrades. We also thank Andy B., our Xenforo ace who has contributed vital Forum software solutions.
A huge “thank-you” goes to F-Class John who finds weekly bargains for the Bulletin and tests new products. John, who produces gear/hardware reviews for his popular YouTube Channel, is a top-tier shooter as well as video host — John won the F-Open Mid-Range National Championship last year. We also regularly feature videos from wind wizard Keith Glasscock, and product tests from Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com. We thank Boyd Allen and ELR Researcher who supply story leads for the Daily Bulletin. And we wouldn’t be here without Jeff Williams, who handles site donations by mail. We have a great place to test rifles thanks to our valued friend Joe Friedrich. Other important contributors include: Jason Baney of EuroOptic.com, Dennis Santiago, and Hunting Editor Colton Reid. All these men (and many others) have aided the site.
Praise for our Site Sponsors and Advertisers
We also want to thank our major sponsors, without whose support the site could not provide the full AccurateShooter.com experience, with an active Forum, an archive of in-depth articles, and fresh content 365 days a year in our Daily Bulletin. We’re grateful to ALL our sponsors and advertisers.
In particular, we want to acknowledge the major companies which have been strong supporters of this site for many years: Capstone Precision Group (Berger, Lapua, SK, Vihtavuori), Bruno Shooters Supply, Bullet Central, EuroOptic, Graf & Sons, Midsouth Shooters Supply, Powder Valley Inc., PMA Tools, Precision Reloading, Whidden Gunworks, and Zeiss Sports Optics. Their continuing support helps us keep up the flow of information and serve our readers and Forum members.
What did you really want for Christmas? A new rifle? Maybe a new reloading press? A poll of sportsmen and firearm owners by Southwick Associates’ HunterSurvey.com / ShooterSurvey.com asked, “What hunting or target shooting gear are you most hoping to receive this holiday season?” Respondents could select three items from a long list of products.
The most-wished-for items were in the Hunting Apparel category, with 22.3 % of respondents asking Santa for new hunting duds. A new Handgun was second-highest on the list, followed by a Trail Camera at #3, Ammunition at #4, and a Laser Rangefinder at #5.
How do your choices stack up against the survey responses?
Note, the totals of all selections exceeds 100% because survey participants could elect three total choices. Also, since this older survey was specifically directed at hunters (rather than just firearm owners), a number of responses relate to bows and archery equipment.
This NSSF video explains key legal considerations when gifting a firearm.
Headed to SHOT Show in Las Vegas? Then you should download the FREE SHOT Show Mobile App. Available for all mobile devices, this App really makes it easier to plan your SHOT Show schedule, and navigate the SHOT Show Exhibit zones. The 2025 SHOT Show Mobile App is now available for download. There are versions for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. And there is even an Apple Watch version. Apple users will find the App in the App Store, Android users will find their version in the Google Play Store. Learn more at SHOT Mobile App Page.
Handy Interactive Map
The App includes an interactive map that can direct you from your current location to your next destination. Arrange your meetings with a handy scheduling calendar. And you can search for any SHOT exhibitor by name or product category. In addition, the App lists major show events as well as important new products.
SHOT SHOW 2025 APP FEATURES
— Locate Exhibitor Booths with searchable Vendor Database/Floor Map
— Build a personalized Schedule and bookmark Exhibitors
— Visit bookmarked Exhibitors with Quick Route Feature
— Multi-Device Sync for smartphones, tablets, laptops
— Up-to-date Exhibitor, Speaker, and Event information
The 2025 SHOT Show takes place January 21-24 at the Venetian EXPO and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada. Media Day at the Range takes place Monday the 20th in Boulder City. To learn more about SHOT Show, including seminar times, educational resources, event listings, and hotel/travel information, visit SHOTShow.org.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Graf & Sons — Berger Hybrid Bullets In Stock
⏺️ Good deal on very successful match bullets, multiple calibers
When it comes to competition bullets it’s hard to beat Berger’s Hybrid Target Bullets. These match projectiles utilize their industry-leading hybrid ogive, which blends tangent and secant designs to optimize efficiency, reduce wind-drift, and minimize sensitivity to seating depth.
2. Powder Valley — Hodgdon Powder Sale
⏺️ Great, hard-to-find powders in stock at good prices
Powder prices are still quite high compared to a few years ago, but the current Hodgdon Powder Sale at Powder Valley offers major savings. Many of the most popular powders are IN STOCK with substantial discounts so this is time to buy before prices go up next year.
3. CDNN Sports — Winchester .22 LR Wildcat, $169.99 w/rebate
⏺️ Fun rimfire rifle complete with optic — good owner reviews
With the Winchester Holiday Rebate you can get a .22 LR Winchester Wildcat (with optic) for just $169.99. That’s a steal for a reliable, semi-auto rimfire rig with a Red Dot Optic — a good choice for plinking and NRL22 matches. Now through 12/31/24 if you buy a Winchester Wildcat or Xpert rifle you get $25 back by mail-in rebate. The Winchester Wildcat takes Ruger 10/22 mags, has a good trigger, field-removable lower receiver, ambidextrous controls, integral Picatinny rail, and rear barrel access. If you don’t need the optic, you can get a basic Wildcat for just $159.99 with Strata Camo stock ($184.99 before rebate).
4. EuroOptic — ZEISS Holiday Binocular Sale
⏺️ Very high-quality binoculars with significant savings now
Hunters need good binoculars for spotting game animals. The ZEISS Terra Binoculars offer impressive performance for the price. Right now you can save $125 on these budget-friendly binoculars that combine outstanding SCHOTT ED glass elements with a compact weather-sealed housing. The 10×42 and 8×42 models are marked down from $499.99 to $374.99, a $125 discount. Focus is fast and easy and these Terra binocs offer excellent twilight performance.
⏺️ Awesome deal on two Smith & Wesson .40 S&W handguns
Here are great deals on two excellent .40 S&W defensive pistols. Right now CDNN Sports has slashed prices on quality M&P Shield .40 S&W pistols. Choose either a 4″ barrel version at $379.99 or a more compact 3.1″ model at $389.99. The larger model has fiber optic sights and no thumb safety while the shorter model has ported slide, thumb safety, and Tritium night sights. Both these handguns come with a FREE S&W Performance Center pistol cleaning kit with jags, brushes, slotted tips, t-handle, and patches.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Case Trim Prep Center, $151.96
⏺️ Versatile system popular with hand-loaders — good price
The Frankford Arsenal Case Trim and Prep Center (#ad) houses the key tools you need to trim, chamfer, and deburr brass, and clean primer pockets. The case holder features an adjustable collet and bushing system that indexes the case shoulder and can be set to precisely trim brass to an exact length. Built from aluminum with a durable steel frame, the Frankford Case Trim and Prep Center is sturdy and has earned praise from purchasers. Right now it is just $151.96 on Amazon (#ad), a 24% discount.
7. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Depriming Tool, $39.99
⏺️ Convenient tool — no press needed to deprime anywhere
Decapping fired brass can be tedious when using a reloading press and decapping die. Make things easier with the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Hand Deprimer Tool (#ad). You can deprime cases while watching TV. This handheld unit features an easily removable spent primer catch tube and an assisted-ejection case holder for easy removal of deprimed cases. The handle is spring-loaded to return the deprimer to the start position automatically.
8. Palmetto State Armory — CCI 9mm Ammo, $11.49/50 rds
⏺️ Quality brass-cased 9mm ammo at an ultra-low price
The 9mm Luger is the most popular centerfire pistol cartridge. Here is a great 9mm ammo option. Grab this CCI Blazer 9mm 124gr ammo for only $11.49 per 50-rd box — the best price we’ve found on very good CCI 9mm Luger ammunition. For recreational shooting, CCI Blazer 9mm ammo delivers consistent reliability and exceptional value.
⏺️ Versatile 2-part shooting rest for pistols and hunting rifles
When sighting-in a hunting rifle or testing pistol loads, it’s really useful to have a basic rifle rest. The very affordable Caldwell Matrix Adjustable Rest (#ad) is specifically designed to work with both rifles and pistols. Use the front section by itself with a handgun, then attach the rear support for rifle shooting. An innovative spring-loaded elevation system allows for fast one-handed, no wobble adjustment.
10. Amazon — Wheeler P-Handle Tool Set, $45.78
⏺️ Big discount on very complete set of drivers
If there’s one thing everyone needs in the workroom it’s a good set of hex and torq drivers. You can grab the Wheeler 30 Piece SAE/Metric Hex and Torx P-Handle Set (#ad) for only $45.78 and have everything you need to work on guns and gear. This kit has SAE and Metric hex-type driver, plus Torx drivers, offering the full range of drivers you might need.
You can save big bucks on guns and gear with factory rebate programs. But with the end of 2024 fast approaching, dozens of great shooting industry rebate programs are about to expire. Many major rebates on rifles, pistols, optics, and/or ammunition require purchases no later than December 31, 2024.
If you are in a buying mood (maybe to get a new gun as an Xmas gift to yourself), check out these notable rebate offers. We showcase 16 great discount/rebate programs. These rebates can save you big bucks on rifles, pistols, shotguns, ammo, or gear. Many of these rebates are worth $100 or more. For example you can Save $200 on a Colt CBX Precision Rifle, Save $150 on a Franchi Rifle, or Save $50 to $150 on an Smith & Wesson wheelgun. Note: most of these promos are good through the end of December 2024, but some expire in January 2025 — so check the dates.
If you’ve been thinking about some last-minute Christmas shopping at Brownells, here are some money-saving codes. Brownells is currently offering 10% off purchases over $150, $10 off a $100+ purchases, and 10% Off all in-stock Ammunition. In addition, there’s a 3% discount on a wide inventory selection (no minimum purchase required). It’s simple to get these discounts — there are no buyers’ clubs to join, no forms to fill out. Just use the appropriate Discount Code during online check-out.
Brownells Winter Clearance Sale
Along with the discount codes listed below, Brownells is running a Winter Clearance Sale now with major savings on barrels, triggers, firearms, AR lowers, reloading components, optics and more. Currently 126 different items are on sale with discounts up to 50%.
Brownells December Discount Codes
Listed below are the Codes to use. Simply use the appropriate Code for your purchase at Brownells.com. These codes have no listed expiration date, so Brownells could terminate them at any time. Accordingly, we recommend you do your shopping soon. Also if the highest value code no longer works, try a lesser value CODE.
Christmas Day is this upcoming Wednesday, just five days away. We know many of our readers and Forum members will be traveling to spend the holidays with friends and families. If you will be transporting any firearms when traveling by air over the holidays you need to know the rules.
If you will be flying with firearms this holiday season, you should read this article. You need to familiarize yourself with current Federal Regulations on gun transport before you get anywhere near an airport. Thankfully, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a web page that states the important requirements for airline passengers traveling with firearms and/or ammunition.
You’ll want to visit the TSA Firearms and Ammunition webpage, and read it start to finish. In addition, before your trip, you should check the regulations of the airline(s) with which you will fly. Some airlines have special requirements, such as weight restrictions.
Here are the TSA’s key guidelines for travel with firearms:
TSA FIREARM Guidelines
1. When traveling, comply with the laws concerning possession of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
2. If you are traveling internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, please check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information and requirements prior to travel.
3. Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
4. Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5, a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations. You may use any brand or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.
5. Bringing an unloaded firearm with accessible ammunition to the security checkpoint carries the same civil penalty/fine as bringing a loaded firearm to the checkpoint. You may find information on civil penalties at the Civil Enforcement page.
6. Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
7. Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
8. Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.
TSA Ammunition Guidelines
1. Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
2. 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).
3. Small arms ammunition (up to .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge) must be packaged in a fiber (such as cardboard), wood, plastic, or metal box specifically designed to carry ammunition and declared to your airline.
4. Ammunition may be transported in the same hard-sided, locked case as a firearm if it has been packed as described above. You cannot use firearm magazines or clips for packing ammunition unless they completely enclose the ammunition. Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be boxed or included within a hard-sided, locked case.
5. Please check with your airline for quantity limits for ammunition.
More Airline Travel Tips from Tom McHale
A while back, Tom McHale wrote an excellent article for the Beretta Blog, entitled Ten Things You Need to Know about Flying with Guns. Here are two of Tom McHale’s Travel Tips from that article:
Weigh your gun case and ammunition
Most airlines will allow up to 11 pounds of ammunition. And, like any luggage, you will be charged more for any baggage weighing more than 50 pounds. This sounds like a lot, but when traveling to the Crimson Trace Midnight 3 Gun competition last year, my case with shotgun, rifle, pistol and ammunition tipped the scale past the 50 pound mark.
Pack ammo in the same locking case
This is another area that’s misunderstood and full of internet myth. Your ammo just needs to be stored in some type of safe container and not loose. Technically, you can keep ammunition in magazines, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It meets the letter of the law storage requirement, but too many airline and TSA agents will give you grief. Use a plastic ammo box or original cardboard packaging and you’ll be fine carrying that in the same lockable case as your gun.
*Please see, United States Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44 for information about firearm definitions.