2 Gun Scoped Rifle Case Suggestions

[Trappernewt]

Hello All,

First Id like to thank all the great members here for the wealth of available information. I've used a lot of info I found on AH to plan my first trip to Africa that approaching pretty quickly. My wife and I are traveling from the US to South Africa and I thought it may be a little smarter to take one case with both rifles versus two separate cases. We have flown several times with Firearms but never a flight to another continent. Can anyone recommend a quality case that's readily available that durable enough to survive the trip and hold both scoped bolt action rifles?

 

[Hififile324]

I use the Pelican Vault 800. I used it on last years Safari. Oregon to Atlanta to Joberg to Port Elizabeth and back. Thats a lot of handling and banging around. The rifles were well protected the case held up very well. I like Pelican because the have replacement foam inserts available in case you change rifles.
Remember to get a padlock or TSA lock for every hole on the case (ATA and TSA rules).

V800E Vault Equipment Case | Pelican

Shop Pelican's V800 Vault Double Rifle Case, the most rugged and secure in its class. It's built for hard use, high impact and supreme weather resistance.

www.pelican.com

Good hunting!

 

[BourbonTrail]

A common answer is a Pelican 1750. It accounted for probably 80-90% of the cases I have seen in OR Tambo.

There are a few other options out there if it doesn’t suit your tastes (Tuffpak, other Pelican cases, Americase if you can find one, etc.)

 

[Hogpatrol]

I use this SKB. Can find them cheaper with online vendors.

Double Rifle Transport Case 5009

The 2SKB-5009 uses a bunk bed foam system that protects two rifles up to 50" long. The shell is constructed of ATA-rated HDPE with SKB's unique Perfect Match Valance and an o-ring seal, making this case weather resistant. Padlocks sold separately.

www.skbcases.com

 

[LimbNoMo]

The cheaper alternative.

https://www.harborfreight.com/9800-weatherproof-protective-rifle-case-long-tan-56862.html?_br_psugg_q=rifle+case

 

[Mekaniks]

I am a tuffpack guy but….

These sure look like a good alternative to the Americase that is no longer available…

Our Cases

Since 1974, We've Been Manufacturing The Original Kalispel Case Line Gun Cases Here In Cusick, WA. Handcrafted, Secure Storage For Your Firearms and Bows.

kalispelcaseline.net

And welcome to AH

 

[Racer00]

I've used my Pelican 1750 for numerous domestic flights including Alaska, as well as Canada and Africa. Never had an issue. I cut foam to fit my rifles until my last trip to Zimbabwe. I needed soft cases as well for my Merkel double and Dakota Traveler. I removed the bolt from the Dakota and packed it in a padded leather mitten. Each rifle went into it's own soft case. The case closed firmly but securely and everything traveled perfectly. I will use this method in the future.

 

[VertigoBE]

I would not worry about "scoped" rifles. Scopes go into your carry-on. If you are anything like most here, your scope is worth about as much as your rifle, so since it is allowed, why not keep it on your person. Then if the rifle case goes "missing" you at least still have your expensive glass.

As far as cases: Pelican, Tuffpak or my own favourite for the most indestructible gun case I have found, an Americase.

 

[Hogpatrol]

IIRC, the big Americase or other aluminum units incur an oversize baggage fee, One of my buds used an Americase and had to pony up an extra $200 at IAD and that was in 2014. By the time we got back to the U.S., it was beat up, bent up and abused. YMMV.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I put two rifles in a single gun Pelican Vault case. Worked fine. Scopes have Warne QD rings so they are detached and in my carryon. Do not put gun bolts in carryon! That is not allowed. Also I recommend packing bipods in checked baggage, not carryon. It caused me some problems last safari and I almost missed my connecting flight on Toronto.

Sorry, site is not letting me post photos today. It's sure been messed up as of late. Continuously locking up.

 

[Trappernewt]

So most everyone removes their optics before travel? I did not realize that.

 

[JimP]

I'll second the Harbor Freight Apache case. It is cloned off the Pelecan and is very sturdy for a good price. I used one on my last trip and another member used one for 2 rifles.

 

[Hogpatrol]

So most everyone removes their optics before travel? I did not realize that.

I don't and never have. Not a fan of a rezero job for two rifles on home brew and rickety benches, the first day of a hunt anywhere. YMMV.

 

[Flipper Dude]

So most everyone removes their optics before travel? I did not realize that.

I do not remove mine on the rifles that I’m gonna use them on. I carry one for my Lott in case in becomes my primary rifle for some reason.

 

[Mekaniks]

So most everyone removes their optics before travel? I did not realize that.

No. removing them is not a requirement. Some folks do use QD rings so that they can, but its their preference

 

[VertigoBE]

I don't and never have. Not a fan of a rezero job for two rifles on home brew and rickety benches, the first day of a hunt anywhere. YMMV.

That's why proper hunting rifles for travelling have German claw mounts, pivot mounts or other such European type of mounts (blaser, Mauser M03, etc.). 100% perfect re-zero no matter how many times you take it off and put it back. Not at all like the weaver or picatinny rail system which is much more troublesome to have 100% effective re-zero every time.

 

[Hogpatrol]

That's why proper hunting rifles for travelling have German claw mounts, pivot mounts or other such European type of mounts (blaser, Mauser M03, etc.). 100% perfect re-zero no matter how many times you take it off and put it back. Not at all like the weaver or picatinny rail system which is much more troublesome to have 100% effective re-zero every time.

May be true on cheap scopes, rails and rings but that's not set in stone.