When you check in at the air lines you must tell them you have a rifle even if you have a big rifle case. They will ask you if the rifle is loaded. Then they will give you a red tag that you sign saying the rifle is unloaded. You then place that tag in the rifle case and lock it.

The airlines should ask you if have ammunition. When you say yes they will ask additional questions. Do you have more than 11lbs/5 kilos? Is it packed in original carton or boxes specifically design hold ammunition for Airline travel? Do you have any loose ammunition. Is the ammunition packed separate from the firearms. No ammo carried in magazines.

I flew Delta Airlines. Here is their requirement to fly with firearms and ammunition. Scroll down to the section on shooting equipment. Check with your specific airline for any special rules they may have.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/special-items/sporting-equipment

The airline employee appeared to be asking these questions working from screen prompts on her computer.

My son traveled with a tuff pak. He had ammo, rifle and gear all in one.

Ammo must be packed separate from rifle.

My ammo was packed in 20 round MTM plastic box and was all handloads.

When we got to Canada we had clear Canada Customs. We had our completed but unsigned Canadian Firearm Declaration. The Customs officer compared the form with the firearm and entered the information in his computer.

The officer did pick up my sons rifle to inspect it. This was the first problem. While the Officer seem familiar manipulating the bolt action rifle, he proceed to sweep everyone in the room with rifle. He verified the rifle was unloaded and checked that the serial number matched forms and computer.

My son and I cringed, but we kept our mouths shut. Not the time or place to lecture on firearms safety.

The second problem came when the Officer put rifle back in the case in the Tuf-pak. He asked my son where is his ammo was and my son said in the bottom of the box. The Custom Officer said airline regulations require ammo to be carried in separate bag from firearm.

I knew this was correct and spoke telling my son, so the customs officer could hear, i would carry his ammo in my bag on the way. At this the Customs officer sent us on our way home.

When we were checking in for return home flight, I followed the airline protocol and checked in. Iwas then sent to bag security. I was stopped from passing security and returned to the airline as my bag containing ammunition was not locked and my ammunition was not in a locked container. The airline supervisor walked me through security telling them there was no requirement for ammo to be in locked container flying from Canada to the US.

My bag was sealed with a zip tie and sent on its way.

Small little blips, nothing big but just plan ahead. Next time I fly with guns, CYA I will have a lockable box for ammo. Not required, but I will have it.

You can take your reloads to Canada.