TSA says ammo can be carried in the case with the gun in packaging suitable for small arms ammunition. The airlines has the right to make this more restrictive if they choose but currently none of the US carriers do. Good idea to print out and carry the TSA guidelines and the specific carrier guidelines.
The US carriers allow one rifle case to count as one checked piece even if it exceeds the dimensional limits, again carry a printout of the guidelines. If it exceeds 50 pound you will be charged for excess weight.
Alaska Airlines:
Firearms / Shooting Equipment
The following items may be included in your normal baggage allowance. Excess charges will apply for additional pieces of baggage. All items must be suitably packaged for transport.
� Shooting Equipment
� One rifle case with rifles, scopes, one shooting mat, noise suppressors and small tools, or
� One shotgun case with shotguns, or
� One pistol case with pistols, noise suppressors, one pistol telescope and small pistol tools
There is no limit to the number or type of firearms (rifles/shotguns/pistols) per case. Different firearm types may be in the same case as long as each type is properly packed.
Ammunition
On Alaska Airlines flights 001-999 and flights 2000-2999, up to 50 lbs.(domestic) and 11 lbs. (international - where permitted) may be checked. Customers checking in or connecting to Alaska Airlines flights 3440-3499 are limited to 11 lbs. of ammunition. Ammunition must be securely packed in the original manufacturer's package or in a container designed for ammunition and of sufficient strength to protect it from accidental crushing or discharge (i.e. wood, fiber, plastic, or metal). The projectile must be no larger than 11/16" in diameter, the size of a dime. Ammunition may be checked with or separately from the firearm. Spent ammunition shells will be accepted in checked baggage provided they meet the same acceptance procedures as live ammunition (e.g. packed in a crush-proof case)
http://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/baggage-firearms.aspxhttp://safetravel.dot.gov/index_ammunition.htmlhttp://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/firearms-and-ammunitionI used an older Pelican, then a Tuffpak to Mongolia, now again back to the newer style pelican. Both have their pros and cons. For me the convenience of the pelican outweighs its disadvantages. I pack it to 49lb and always take a pic of its contents before flying.