WCFCC Nokomis 2012 - June 28- July 1, 2012

And don't forget to make arrangements to courier your gear/unspent ammo back home as well.

Thought about the car rental thing as well but Les beat me to it.
 
prairieguy said:
You may want to ship more than just your ammo, think mat, spotting scope, etc. Cost of sending a big box is not going to be too much more than a little one.

There are more than a couple of reasons you might want to rent a car in Sk instead of asking Keith for a lift. Keith's going to be awfully busy keeping the match running. Besides, do you want to be trapped at the range for several days with no way to get around other than relying on others?

If you carpool from S'toon costs can be kept down.
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Bugging Keith would not be a good idea so renting a car/van from SK would be the plan. Upside will the ability to carpool with other shooters who may be thinking the same thing.

Small e-box or mini van - costs are essentially the same.

If there are shooters flying in, let me know and we can arrange a merge and commute. I am guessing 3 more shooters would pile into a mini van easy enough????

I will be staying in Watrus (sp?) with a few other guys. No clue on accom there but that is the location others have stayed with success. Again, happy to carpool with others as needed.

Got to get a moment to start booking all of this :)

Jerry
 
shockman said:
Courier your ammo to Keith and jump on a plane with your gun to Toontown and get Keith to pick you up???
e
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According to Westjet site, I am allowed 5kgs of ammo which with a 223, allows me to fly with it.

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/travel/basics/baggage/hunting-equipment.shtml

I think most airlines will share similar rules in Canada????

Jerry
 
The 5kg limit is an IATA limit. No airline is going to accept more than that. Most airline though just use the 5kg ammo limit.

It is possible that some airlines might impose a lower limit, or not accommodate travel with firearms at all. Most do. (I think I once checked one of the charter airlines, and they did not allow travel with firearms and ammo).

If you ask the airline service rep for chapter and verse (and you should), there will be wording about the ammo having to be "...in manufacturer's original packaging....". As a handloader, my lawyerly interpretation of this is that I am the manufacturer, and the 50-round plastic MTM boxes are therefore the manufacturer's original packagin.

Air Canada adds a $50 handling fee each way (at least it does for international flights, I am not 100% sure about domestic flights).
 
How much do I have to pay for the baggage handlers to turn everyone's scope one revolution?

Next request - flight times and plane numbers.
 
I have flown with guns across Canada and into the US, several times in the last 25 years. I have never had any problems, although some people may have. 5kg or 11lbs is the limit, if you are bringing your 223 then you will have no problems. There are no issues with spent cases on Westjet. That is an American Airlines issue. I believe if you are shooting a 308 you would still be under the ammo weight limit. In my past experience, as long as you have your proper paper work the airline personel haven't even looked inside the gun case. Your experience may be different though. Tom and I are flying to Ottawa for the Easterns with all our gear, so hopefully everthing will go well once again.
Good Luck!!
Eric
 
Thanks for the info. Just reviewing the general luggage rules

I figure I can take one luggage bag and fill with all my shooting gear, ammo and tools. I am really liking the LACK of a pedestal rest for F TR.

The rifle case will be an additional piece and whatever it costs it costs. Will not put too much in the case as I don't want to trigger overweight on an oversized piece of luggage.

Plus don't want the handles to get ripped off while the case is being launched down the ramps.

I can take 2 carry on's and their size is actually really big. That will cover my personal clothes and electronics.

That limits my cost to just 1 extra oversized bag. $50 to 75 should cover that tab.

Do they actually weigh the ammo?

And if they do, is it with or without the cases?

Any trouble using the generic plastic ammo boxes?

For the Westerns, weight is not an issue with only 200rds needed.

For the US Nationals and 300rds, weight may be an issue.

Look forward to more insight on flying with guns.

Oh, do you open or close your case vent?

Jerry
 
Firearms acceptance criteria

Firearms are permitted ONLY in checked baggage, and ONLY if the firearm is:
Unloaded (declaration must be signed)
Packaged in a locked, heavy-duty container or hard-sided (opaque) gun case
Locked with a trigger lock
WestJet will accept the following types of firearms:
Shotguns
Handguns
BB guns
Starter pistols
Rifles
Air pistols
Paintball guns (Please note: carbon dioxide cartridges/tanks for paintball guns will only be accepted if empty, with the valve secured in the open position. Please see restricted items for more details.)
Ammunition must be:
Securely packaged and packed separately from the firearm, however it is permitted to be transported within the same container.
Carried in sturdy baggage not weighing more than 5 kg (11 lb.) gross weight per person (excluding ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles)
Packaged in the manufacturer's original container or an equivalent sturdy, durable container that provides sufficient cartridge separation

From the Westjet site.

Sorry, if this is off topic but it might help others choose to come to the event if flying is an option.

Well, it just worked out that Air Canada is my carrier with AirMiles so they have a higher cost of transporting firearms.

I will clarify with Air Can tomorrow but it seems that the extra piece is $75 PLUS $50 for it being a firearm.

They do allow you to include SUPPRESSORS as part of the rifle though.....

Slightly different handling and packing procedures so I will clarify these as well. Ammo weight is the same at 5kg. I think that is an industry standard but how you carry the ammo may be very specific to the airline.

Miles and fees aren't that bad (then you add the luggage costs) so if you want to go and have airmiles, not a bad way to travel.

Jerry

PS if someone needs a ride from the airport, I touch down around 4"30 on Thursday in Sask. I am likely heading to Watrous unless the rooms are all full.
 
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Jerry,

Just curious what the total cost JUST for flying is going to cost return trip Kelowna (I assume) to Toontown?

If Air Can is charging $75 for ammo and $50 for guns each way that is ridiculous (maybe I read your post wrong).

EDIT: Oh......$75 for the extra baggage + $50 for the rifle?
 
Mystic Precision said:
I figure I can take one luggage bag and fill with all my shooting gear, ammo and tools. I am really liking the LACK of a pedestal rest for F TR.
...
Do they actually weigh the ammo?

And if they do, is it with or without the cases?

Any trouble using the generic plastic ammo boxes?

For the Westerns, weight is not an issue with only 200rds needed.

For the US Nationals and 300rds, weight may be an issue.

Look forward to more insight on flying with guns.

Oh, do you open or close your case vent?

Jerry
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Yup, you're 30# ahead of the F-Open guys on this one.

It has been many years (pre-9/11) since I flew with rifles, but I never had ammo inspected let alone weighed. I always used generic plastic boxes and they worked well. You can put a piece of tape or an elastic band around them so they don't open. I always packed my ammo in my checked bag that had my clothes.

I used to travel with my shooting bag as carry on luggage (glove, glasses, clipboard, spotting scope and stand, etc). Once (and remember this was pre-9/11) they asked me what was inside my spotting scope, which they had just x-rayed, and wanted me to open it up for them. I explained that it was sealed, with dry nitrogen etc etc, and eventually they relented.

BTW 5kg is 210 rounds of .308W using a 155 grain bullet. With a .223 I would think you should have no problem at all with 300 rounds (my math: 90 grain bullet, 95 grain case, 25 grains powder --> 5kg is 369 rounds)

I've never used a sealed case so I don't know from personal experience; I would think though that the vent should be open. Look up what the case manufacturer says, they probably say whether or not you should use it for flying.
 
By what i have been told, the vent should be kept closed. It is only there to use if the case won't open due to major pressure differences. These cases are well sealed and if the pressure is not equalized, then you may have trouble opening it. I've never had a problem, and i certainly would not worry too much about it.

Cheers
 
CyaN1de said:
Jerry,

Just curious what the total cost JUST for flying is going to cost return trip Kelowna (I assume) to Toontown?

If Air Can is charging $75 for ammo and $50 for guns each way that is ridiculous (maybe I read your post wrong).

EDIT: Oh......$75 for the extra baggage + $50 for the rifle?
Click to expand...

I went airmiles and the taxes was $158. Then I got some cancellation insurance $53 (optional)

Extra luggage is $75 ($50 with westjet) then they charge $50 more cause it is a firearm (I will confirm this when I get a moment, westjet doesn't list this cost). Hopefully, that means more careful handling instead of manhours to climb to the tallest part of the airport to launch :D

There is only 1 charge for extra luggage but it is for each way. $125 each way (hopefully less) - $250. So I am looking at $462 worst case.

compared to me driving out there and needing an overnight, it's not bad.

Mapquests suggest 1300kms and 15.25 hours non stop. Best case I use up 100litres of gas each way, that is $260'ish in gas plus wear and tear. Food, hotel - easily another $150 to 200 each way and I loose another 2 days.

Flight costs on Westjet are on their website and vary depending on what timing you want. Est $400 to 500 return, then the usual tax and luggage.

Wait longer, scenic route, less ideal arrival and departure - less money. I figured I would be sub $700 with Westjet all in with times that weren't too silly.

NO idea on deals and discounts as I was "miling" it.

My travels times are very relaxed and that is worth a lot to me....

YMMV

Jerry
 
rnbra-shooter said:
Yup, you're 30# ahead of the F-Open guys on this one.

It has been many years (pre-9/11) since I flew with rifles, but I never had ammo inspected let alone weighed. I always used generic plastic boxes and they worked well. You can put a piece of tape or an elastic band around them so they don't open. I always packed my ammo in my checked bag that had my clothes.

I used to travel with my shooting bag as carry on luggage (glove, glasses, clipboard, spotting scope and stand, etc). Once (and remember this was pre-9/11) they asked me what was inside my spotting scope, which they had just x-rayed, and wanted me to open it up for them. I explained that it was sealed, with dry nitrogen etc etc, and eventually they relented.

BTW 5kg is 210 rounds of .308W using a 155 grain bullet. With a .223 I would think you should have no problem at all with 300 rounds (my math: 90 grain bullet, 95 grain case, 25 grains powder --> 5kg is 369 rounds)

I've never used a sealed case so I don't know from personal experience; I would think though that the vent should be open. Look up what the case manufacturer says, they probably say whether or not you should use it for flying.
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Except for "soft" items and electronics, you will not be putting any of that in the cabin. So an F open shooter has to look at keeping under weight for primary luggage as well.

My carry on will be clothes, shoes and electronics. Most anything with metal will go in the belly of the beast.

Carry on limits are very generous so no worries on personal items.

Ammo weight for Open and maybe even 308 will not work out for a larger event like the US Nats.

I wouldn't bother to fly if in F open unless some of the gear/ammo could go down by car.

Jerry
 
Any new info yet for this event? More shooters sign up? Any more sponsors or prizes?

I'm pumped to go, still waiting for my gun to be finished. Won't have too much practice time, hopefully I can keep it on the paper in the great sask winds.
 
New info, yup... had one guy back out and withdraw from the competition (and his name is Paul too LOL) so we are at 28 guys. Ordered the 70 shirts, 40 trophies, 6 DCRA medals, 40 bolt flags, 10 DCRA pins for shooting clean (HPS pins) and lots and lots of NRA FClass targets. Got a package from Cabalo's out of Wpg, they donated to the prize table too.

So who's pumping your new rifle Bushman?
 
Craig /AC Douglas is working on it, should be done this week.

How is the range setup going to work, are we driving our vehicles to the line like we've done for smaller comp's? Or since this is a little bigger we might have to pack are crap all the way from the club house?

Curious about the 70 shirts, isn't that twice as many as we need? Or do we get 2?
 
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