Best Hard rifle case

[Tundra Tiger]

Mine is a Plano. At 20 pounds it really doesn't buy you a whole lot light I guess. It is well under the 60", and when I pack clothes in addition to my rifles, it's up just a tick over 40 pounds. It's been to Africa twice and on 2 in-state hunts. I like it a lot thus far and it has proven durable. I got mine on sale on Amazon for a bit less than a Benjamin.

I like the idea of a single gun to Africa, but I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon. Both of my trips involved buffalo, hence 2 guns. I hope for future trips to involve at least one of my kids, so still at 2 even without a buffalo.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Mine is a Plano. At 20 pounds it really doesn't buy you a whole lot light I guess. It is well under the 60", and when I pack clothes in addition to my rifles, it's up just a tick over 40 pounds. It's been to Africa twice and on 2 in-state hunts. I like it a lot thus far and it has proven durable. I got mine on sale on Amazon for a bit less than a Benjamin.

I like the idea of a single gun to Africa, but I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon. Both of my trips involved buffalo, hence 2 guns. I hope for future trips to involve at least one of my kids, so still at 2 even without a buffalo.



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The waffle foam on top is a great idea. That would have solved my problem with guns banging together.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

The waffle foam on top is a great idea. That would have solved my problem with guns banging together.

It came with that installed. I did buy another foam layer for my last trip, to use for the guns I elected to take so I could have a custom fit. Maybe I've just been lucky with my 4 trips but so far there has been no gun movement within the case.

 

[Mekaniks]

But now you can't put any clothing in the gun case when traveling to or through RSA. This negates the value of the Tuffpack as it has traditionally been used. Other locations it may be fine.

@Philip Glass can you provide something that supports this?

I have a friend that just traveled through Joberg with a Tuffpak this summer with no problems.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@Philip Glass can you provide something that supports this?

I have a friend that just traveled through Joberg with a Tuffpak this summer with no problems.

It is the luck of the draw at that airport. In August a security gal took my roll of red duct tape from carryon. "You can't take this on the plane." Why? "You can't." She pulled out a drawer containing a lunch bag and tossed my duct tape in it. Jabbered something to her supervisor sitting at a computer screen and that was that. It was more important for me to get on the plane than fight over a roll of tape. She had that figured out. So, give them an excuse and they will find a way to make you discard stuff ... so it goes home with them at end of shift. I would not put ANYTHING in my gun case but the gun(s) and necessary paperwork. Remember, this is Africa. Not uncommon for rules to be made up as needed. In fact, that seems to be the norm.

Last year when I was departing, some loudmouth rich clown, from Texas judging by his accent, was arguing with Joberg airport police about ammo in his gun case. His American constitutional right, blah, blah, blah. Made me very nervous because I carry an American passport. "I am NOT with him!" I guarantee you that idiot missed his plane.

 

[BeeMaa]

Mine is a Plano. At 20 pounds it really doesn't buy you a whole lot light I guess. It is well under the 60", and when I pack clothes in addition to my rifles, it's up just a tick over 40 pounds. It's been to Africa twice and on 2 in-state hunts. I like it a lot thus far and it has proven durable. I got mine on sale on Amazon for a bit less than a Benjamin.

I like the idea of a single gun to Africa, but I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon. Both of my trips involved buffalo, hence 2 guns. I hope for future trips to involve at least one of my kids, so still at 2 even without a buffalo.



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The "linear limit" is defined as the addition of the height + width + depth...not 60" in any one dimension.

The Plano 36" All Weather 2 gun case is close to the 62" linear limit (39.5 + 6.5 + 17.5 = 63.5). However it looks like you have the Plano 52" All Weather 2 gun case with the wheels that is well over the limit (52.8 + 15.6 + 8.7 = 77.1).

 

[Mekaniks]

It is the luck of the draw at that airport. In August a security gal took my roll of red duct tape from carryon. "You can't take this on the plane." Why? "You can't." She pulled out a drawer containing a lunch bag and tossed my duct tape in it. Jabbered something to her supervisor sitting at a computer screen and that was that. It was more important for me to get on the plane than fight over a roll of tape. She had that figured out. So, give them an excuse and they will find a way to make you discard stuff ... so it goes home with them at end of shift. I would not put ANYTHING in my gun case but the gun(s) and necessary paperwork. Remember, this is Africa. Not uncommon for rules to be made up as needed. In fact, that seems to be the norm.

Last year when I was departing, some loudmouth rich clown, from Texas judging by his accent, was arguing with Joberg airport police about ammo in his gun case. His American constitutional right, blah, blah, blah. Made me very nervous because I carry an American passport. "I am NOT with him!" I guarantee you that idiot missed his plane.

I get the TIA and understand. But, I have never officially seen where you can’t have other items I.e binos, spotting scope, knives, or clothing (packing material) except ammo of course.
I am really interested if thins is a law / rule that I have never heard of….

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I get the TIA and understand. But, I have never officially seen where you can’t have other items I.e binos, spotting scope, knives, or clothing (packing material) except ammo of course.
I am really interested if thins is a law / rule that I have never heard of….

Like I said, in Africa anyone with a perception of authority can make up the rules as fits them. If a security agent surreptitiously decides you can't have other stuff in your gun case and there's no more room in your checked or carryon baggage, then what happens to your stuff? In the trash ... = in their lunch box at the end of the day. Do what you want but the only thing going in my gun case is guns. No one is going claim guns don't belong in gun cases.

 

[Mekaniks]

Like I said, in Africa anyone with a perception of authority can make up the rules as fits them. If a security agent surreptitiously decides you can't have other stuff in your gun case and there's no more room in your checked or carryon baggage, then what happens to your stuff? In the trash ... = in their lunch box at the end of the day. Do what you want but the only thing going in my gun case is guns. No one is going claim guns don't belong in gun cases.

@Ontario Hunter I get that you have figured out how you like to travel. Good for you.

@Philip Glass made a comment that other articles are no longer allowed to travel in a gun case in RSA and I would like to see the regulation that he is referring to if possible.
I like to travel with my tuffpak so I am curious….

 

[godwincp]

With regards to soft gun cases I guess I’ve never stayed at a fancy lodge that supplies these. My hunts are are a several hour drive or a charter flight away. I‘ve never asked if they would supply soft cases but I will now. Live and learn

 

[Ontario Hunter]

With regards to soft gun cases I guess I’ve never stayed at a fancy lodge that supplies these. My hunts are are a several hour drive or a charter flight away. I‘ve never asked if they would supply soft cases but I will now. Live and learn

Most safari operations have a list on their websites of stuff to bring. If they say to bring a soft case, then bring one. The sites I have investigated didn't list soft gun cases. But admittedly some of the lists don't make much sense. Why should clients bring hunting knives and sharpeners? For decoration? Trackers do the cutting and they take that role seriously and with pride as theirs alone.

My lodge is also several hours from the airport. I'm not switching my gun from hard airline case to soft case for the drive. Why? I appreciate that some guys feel a fancy gun must go in a personalized fancy soft case instead of an ugly loaner the lodge lets the unwashed masses use. For me a soft case is a soft case. My guns are tools not works of art making a statement. They shoot stuff. That's all. Count me in the unwashed crowd ... metaphorically speaking ... sometimes.

 

[JimP]

On both of my hunts in South Africa neither of my outfitters offered soft cases. Did they have some? I'm sure that they did, but why risk it?

I just took my own soft case that was not much more than a real heavy blanket that folded up rode in my rifle case along with my rifle and cleaning kit.

 

[503]

Magpul is coming out with hard gun cases. They look good, haven't seen any reviews yet tho. https://magpul.com/daka-hard-case-r44.html?mp_global_color=118

 

[R.M.C.]

I've got a Pelican Storm iM3410 single rifle case, I love it and I can fit two rifles in it provided one doesn't have a scope. It weighs 20 pounds empty so two guns never puts it over the 50 pound limit. After several flights it hasn't been damaged in any way. I like the wheels too, they are great for long hikes through the airport and parking lot lol. I got it on sale for $150 about six years ago.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I have a few cases I use.

1) Pelican 1750 - great for 1 gun
2) SKB double bow case -
3) SKB 4 Rifle Case - allows for 2 rifles and a bow + clothing, 4 rifles, or any combination of the above.
4) Pelican 1700 - use for take-down guns and AR’s

The Pelican 1750 is my preferred case but for Africa the bigger SKB 4 gun tends to make the trip and get filled with misc. items for the PH/Outfitter. Never had an issue flying through RSA with other items in my gun case or on Airlink. Multiple trips over the last few years.

 

[HankBuck]

I use a single Pelican Vault for two guns. Not light but a LOT less bulky than the borrowed double Kalispel case I used my first two trips. I duct tape around the case over the latches ... well that was the plan until the security gal at Joberg stole my roll from carryon. Both scopes travel in carryon.
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Ontario, I like the Pelican cases to - for pure strength & security but my Two rifle case is heavy and “barely” fits 2 Scoped Rifles (like putting a puzzle together). I also like to put a few loops of duct tape around the latches (peace of mind) but it depends on the TSA agent - some won’t let me near the case after “inspection”, some tape it for me, some don’t care and let me do it...slightly different process every time = frustrating.

 

[HankBuck]

Baggage handlers have their own way of testing the fragility of nearly everything.

That’s for sure BeeMaa, my first trip using a new Americase “two Rifle” I found a HOLE punched thru my case - a clear outline of a Hammer smashed a 1” circle thru the center of the case (case is aluminum with Composit panels). No damage to the rifles but the impact must’ve been tremendous to make that 1”hole - deliberately damaged. I still like the light weight of the Americase and it certainly is strong but was Never designed for a Hammer Attack !

 

[HankBuck]

Incidentally, I thought about removing the bolts and putting them in carryon with scopes so the case closed better. Don't do that! I almost missed my plane to Stutgart out of Toronto because security discovered the bipod in my carryon. "That's a gun part and those are not allowed in carryon." They were fine with me taking the scopes on board but not the tripod because that wasn't on their list of gun parts that aren't gun parts. I eventually got it sorted after involving three levels of supervisors. Rifle bolts definitely would not be making the trip! I suppose the reasoning is a group of terrorists could each carryon a different piece of gun and then assemble it in flight. Kinda far fetched ... but so is flying passenger jets into skyscrapers.

Yes, “bolts” must remain with checked firearm luggage. When I take my bolts out of the rifle - I “tie the bolts to the rifles” with strong nylon cord. My concern is that some TSA agent will remove the bolt from the case “during inspection” and leave that bolt on his counter and not pace it back in my rifle case... I admitt I’m “paranoid” but it’s not an unfounded concern. The few times that I’ve actually watched TSA Agents check a firearm case was “disturbing”, they took a carefully pack rifle completely out of the case - fumble around to see it’s unloaded (even when Bolt removed and chamber clearly empty), then they stuff rifle back in with much less care than I’m comfortable with. For me, Air travel with a firearm is the most unpleasant part of any trip or hunt.

 

[HankBuck]

I don't. What kind of safari operator doesn't have soft gun cases on hand for clients? Maybe one that has a couple dozen clients in camp at the same time ... but that kind of hunting is not for me anyway. My lodge owner has top quality soft gun cases for me to use when I'm hunting. Just something extra to bring along that's unnecessary.

I’d say most of the US Outfitters (12 or so I’ve used) don’t have a soft cases to loan you and these aren’t cheap outfits.....although many would scrounge you up one. I try to bring my own - or stop at nearby Walmart as soon as I arrive and buy a “cheapie”. I would like a good hard case that I could pack rifles inside “in their own soft case” and other then the “Tuff Pack” not aware of any cases designed to do this?

 

[HankBuck]

Have it happen once and I doubt you will forget it.

I prefer to stay within the guidelines to avoid unnecessary baggage charges. The Pelican 1700 was designed specifically to stay under the 62” linear limit.

If you are over the line to begin with, any argument you have is useless. I suppose as long as you accept this as a possibility, you will be fine.

Agree, TSA and airlines in general rarely exercise “discretion” in Your Favor. You’re lucky if they even know and follow their own rules. As far as winning an “argument” - possible but odds against it —- and is that what your really want to be doing on an “enjoyable vacation”?