Getting ammunition overseas for level 4 and 5 matches.
The following information is very important.
There are several things to take into account when traveling overseas to big matches, one of which is ammunition. In the ideal world, you would be able to take enough, but the sad reality is that you are only allowed 5 kilograms or about 11 pounds of ammunition on most international flights, or sometimes not any at all. This all depends on the carrier. The next concern is where your stopovers are. For instance if you land in England for any reason and are in possession of pistol ammunition, you are in a legal world of hurt even if it was a diverted flight.
Next consideration is what ammunition do you need that isn’t available where you are going? For instance, if you are shooting a rifle match, you will need ammunition that you will use for longer range or what your rifle shoots most accurately. Most likely you won’t be able to source this ammunition where you go so that should be your 11 pounds of ammunition you can take. You can purchase “match ammo for the close range hoser stuff. For shotgun you will want to take the slugs and buckshot your gun likes. I can guarantee you will not find low recoil anything, and remember Flight control buckshot is specifically forbidden by IPSC…..they consider it a “lumpy slug”. Some places do not allow hollow point ammunition and you should check with your match director about this. Bottom line use your 11 pounds on specialty ammunition and arrange to get regular ammunition through the match.
WARNING!!!! Overseas matches are all about teams, and you will find that most “match” ammunition will not be very good. Why you ask? Well for starters, lets say your host country has a team shooting in said event. That host country will do everything in it’s power to make sure their teams have an edge, so the match ammo will be of a pretty low standard. Second of all most overseas countries don’t have large suppliers like we do, and they can only get certain types of ammunition. For example, several of the European rifle matches;, the match ammunition was WOLF steel cased 55 grain FMJ for both 223 and 308. Meanwhile, their teams had access to Lapua. Another example is at a couple shotgun matches the 28 and 32-gram shot offered was a fiber wad ammunition, not a nice plastic shot cup like Federal Gold Medal Match, or Winchester AA, and the shot patterns were abysmal. If possible arrange for a supply of ammunition that is compatible with your shotgun, or plan on patterning BEFORE you shoot for score, which is a good idea anyway.
There are several ways around this. If you are taking a friend or spouse with you, They can also bring 11 pounds of ammo, now you have enough of everything your gun likes. The next way is contact the folks putting the match on and ask if there is a local supplier that can order in ammunition for you. You will have to do this well in advance. The next way is hope you have a friend in a host country and see about having them get ammo for you. Sometimes US manufacturers will have a way for you to get ammunition and they will ship it for you, but be aware this has to happen WAY in advance. Most times you will show up to the match and find out your ammunition shipment is held up in customs and not available. Of the 5 times I had a manufacturer ship for me, I actually received it in time for the match twice, and this was with 6 months notice. Plan on not getting it, and use your 11 pound wisely…..and make friends!
Happy shooting!!! KM