Moving Ammunition

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blackdragon

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Looks like I will be making a log distance move real soon now...just got a quote a mover.

He refuses to move my ammo. His claim is that the interiors of the trucks get so hot that the ammo can explode.

I've seen rifles shot so fast that the barrel temp made hanguards smoke, and the ammo didn't cook off. I cannot see how the truck could get that hot, and not damage my other goods.

It is bull? If any boxes of ammo get 'misplaced' in boxes full of other things, no harm can happen, can it?

Keith
 
I would put the ammo in some surplus metal military ammo cans for transport and you should be fine. Those can be had at flea markets and gun shows for cheap. If the truck gets hot enough to cause the ammo to explode, the truck is already on fire, so no worries on that.
 
Ammo is not considered hazardous and requires no special handling although the USPS refuses to mail it. Your shipper is either mistaken or just lying to explain why he won't take it.

How much ammo you got? If paying by the pound might be better to shoot it up or sell it rather than ship it.

I guess you could box it up and not tell the trucker.
 
I have lots of ammo. I buy in bulk and like to have lots on hand (maybe 7k rounds in various calibers). No way I can shoot it all (or would, even).
 
7K rounds while not a small amount is also not something that will be that big of a burden. Can you put it in your own vehicle to move it?

If not, find a gun friendly mover.
 
Most movers are sketchy about ammo and firearms.

I wouldn't let them move them anyway.

I would either drive it myself with all the other high-value items in my on car the day of the move.

If it's cross-country, and it'll take you a few days to drive there, box it all up, pack it well, and ship it to yourself via UPS ground the day you're leaving. Declare it ORM-D, it's only a few more bucks. Go directly to the main UPS station for your town to do this. The "UPS Store" in the local strip-mall is not really "UPS", they're just like any other mailbox store and they charge a premium over UPS's rates. They won't take firearms or ammo anyway.
 
florida to reno is 3k miles; i'm flying, not driving. Airlines :)

Mover is fine with guns (locked in safe), just not the ammo. I guess if other quotes come in from ammo-friendly companies I'll give them my business...

Moving is a pain.
 
I would suggest getting a National mover for the deal. I would call BBB in your area and ask for those to stay away from. I would then call the Mover's national 800 or website and get a copy of their rules and regs. Follow that. If they say no ammo, then do not ship ammo, simple issue is Liability. We all know ammo can get shipped by truck, just how does walmart and all the other distributors get it? But to hide the ammo as tools or dumbells or something and then something happens and the truck gets hit or a mover sneaking a cigie in the truck, and a cinder catches hold in a mattress, and all that ammo goes off, guess what, you violated the terms and you are liable. I would ship it. I would guess 7000 rounds to be some where around 300 pounds, give or take, based on some quick calculations, call around, ask a local trucking company what they would charge to ship it. you may be surprised at how inexpensive that is.

You also said you were flying, Do you have vehicles that are being moved for you? Or are you buying new when you get there. If you are shipping the cars, maybe stow the ammo in the trunk.
 
Why don't you just ship it....

on the BBT....That is how Century, AIM, etc get it to me.........Slap an ORM-D sticker on it and you should be good to go........chris3
 
He probably doesn't want to ship it via the BBT because then it costs twice. He's already paying for the mover to move his stuff.

Your mover is full of baloney.
 
Ammo is not considered hazardous and requires no special handling although the USPS refuses to mail it. Your shipper is either mistaken or just lying to explain why he won't take it.
Click to expand...

Ammunition certainly is considered a hazardous material by the Department of Transportation. It is classed as a Division 1.4S explosive material. If it is properly packaged in accordance with the exception in 49CFR §173.63, it can be reclassed as an ORM-D (Other Regulated Material-D) material. ORM-D materials are still considered hazardous material under DOT regulations.

The moving company would be required to follow all DOT regulations concerning the marking, labeling, packaging, and shipping paper requirements for the ammunition. Also, I doubt that they are registered with the DOT as a hazardous material hauler.

I was thinking toolboxes, and locking them. Then the movers aren't moving ammo, they are moving tools....
Click to expand...

That's what DOT calls "Offering for transportation a hazardous material without shippping papers, package markings, labels, or placards." The minimum civil fine for such an offense starts at $15,000 a day for each day the shipment is in transit. That doesn't include criminal penalties.
 
If their truck is hot enough to "make your ammo cook off" just think of what that heat is doing to your electronics and wood items.
 
Movers will not take ammo, paint, flamables, oil, open bottles ect. When we moved from California I pulled a 2 axle trailer that was probably sitting on it's axle's from the weight with my 4X4 Dodge Ramcharger. My wife asked me if it was dangerous, I told her not if were blown free from the fireball.:D
 
On my last cross-country move, the moving company's estimator told me that they would not move open liquor bottles or firearms. He also told me that if I had any items that I didn't want his packers to handle, I was welcome to pack them myself and mark "PBO" (packed by owner) on the outside of the box. He then mentioned that after the packers had finished, I might find that my rifles would fit nicely amongst the clothes in a wardrobe box.
 
Ammo *is* considered a hazardous substance.

I just moved last month from Virginia to Georgia and had to transport 40,000 rounds myself. My back still hurts.

Your best bet seems to be the shipping route, via UPS or Fedex. For only 7,000 rounds you're not looking at a whole lot of money for shipping.

Good luck with the move and watch carefully what they have you sign (especially the part about insurance and what they'll pay on breakage...don't sign the $0.50/lb - do full replacement value)
 
One option would be to find some friends or gun owners who would buy the ammo and then buy new bulk ammo in Reno. You might lose a little, but that depends on the cost of shipping. Maybe there is a dealer nearby or a gun range that could help. I guess it depends on what ammo you have.
 
most movers won't move firearms or ammo, i'm amazed they do the firearms
anyway, moving is by weight, ammo weighs A LOT (7k rounds, amatuer).
get a trailer, load it up with heavy stuff (books, tools, ammo) and watch teh fee come way down

remember, moving for a job more than 50 miles is deductable. see the country on your way over.
 
I pulled a 2 axle trailer that was probably sitting on it's axle's from the weight with my 4X4 Dodge Ramcharger. My wife asked me if it was dangerous, I told her not if were blown free from the fireball.
Click to expand...

LOL! :D

Whenever I moved, I always packed all my firearms and ammo in the last car-load. This was always just a few miles cross-town. But I always wondered what would happen if I got pulled over...
 
Maybe there are folks here who can help. I am only a few hours away from you in Lake City, have a few buddies that shoot here...We may be able to help you cut your losses some so you can restock at your final destination.
What specific calibers are we talking about? We can discuss quantities and monies later, if necessary, just inquiring if it's stuff I/we can use...

Bryan

[email protected]
 
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