Best Hard rifle case

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have a Pelican 1750 and a very old SKB two rifle case. I occasionally will use the SKB case, without the center piece of foam, and place a single rifle in a soft case. Works great. It's possible two rifles might work too. Alternatively, pack the soft case in your suitcase, duffle bag and pack your rifles normally in the gun case. Note: The photo below is from SKB's website. When I pack two rifles, I usually place one rifle in one direction and the other rifle in the opposite direction(Unlike the photo where both rifles are in the same direction). When you close it up, the foam really compresses and snuggly holds the rifles.

A neat trick for having extra foam for custom cut outs for the Pelican cases is to go to Walmart or Amazon and get some inexpensive one inch memory foam mattress topper. Can outline various rifles and custom cut a piece of foam for each one. A lot cheaper than buying Pelican factory foam.

 

[ecall91]

View attachment 554673I’ve got a vault single that weighs 16 pounds and a double that weighs 24.95 pounds
Too heavy.

I ordered that case for one of the customers that we booked an African trip for and disliked that it did not have wheels. I personally have always used pelican cases and would not choose one that doesn't have wheels on it.

 

[wyosteve]

I got a Nanuk this spring for an Alaskan hunt. It has wheels and well built in Canada! Pleased with it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I ordered that case for one of the customers that we booked an African trip for and disliked that it did not have wheels. I personally have always used pelican cases and would not choose one that doesn't have wheels on it.

I now use a Pelican Vault single gun case and load it with two rifles sans their scopes which go in carryon. It is heavy but manageable ... and I'm no body builder (but not a whimp either). Wheels just get broken off by the baggage apes. I see countless pieces of crippled luggage on the carousels every trip. No need for wheels since I'm almost always using an airport trolley anyway.

If I have to, I can and have carried everything for my Africa trips in airports. This is it: one red duffle with shoulder straps that can be zipped inside, computer bag (with shoulder strap when needed), carryon daypack, ammo case, and gun case. Leaving Canada the ammo case is packed inside checked duffle bag. Leaving Joberg it must be checked separately.

 

[Beck]

Has anyone used, handled or bought a Condition 1 hard rifle case. They appear to be well made. And lighter then the heavy SKB and Pelicans.

I think my pelican weighs 25 pounds and the equivalent Condition 1 is 19 pounds.

Pelican's are heavy, but the company has treated me well. The baggage handlers in Africa are infamously rough on rifles cases. On my trip to Mozambique I saw a baggage handler knock my case off of the top of a baggage cart, must have been a 6 foot fall - no issues with the rifle.

On a trip to South Africa they snapped one of the latches off of my Vault - pelican sent me a replacement latch for free, no questions asked. I didn't even ask, and they also included several extra replacement latches for future trips.

I just can't buy one from someone else with that kind of quality and service from pelican

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Pelican's are heavy, but the company has treated me well. The baggage handlers in Africa are infamously rough on rifles cases. On my trip to Mozambique I saw a baggage handler knock my case off of the top of a baggage cart, must have been a 6 foot fall - no issues with the rifle.

On a trip to South Africa they snapped one of the latches off of my Vault - pelican sent me a replacement latch for free, no questions asked. I didn't even ask, and they also included several extra replacement latches for future trips.

I just can't buy one from someone else with that kind of quality and service from pelican

I use duct tape to wrap the latches on my Pelican Vault so they can't pop open "accidentally." Also I tape the lock to the side of the ammo case and double wrap the case end to end. That ammo case is, I confess, dollar store quality. Should look for something better online. I recommend not using brightly colored duct tape. There's a certain security agent at Joberg airport who has a fetish for the stuff. She'll swipe your roll and not blink an eye. Ask me how I know!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

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.

Yep. It's never the same. Honestly, I cannot recall any agent here or in Africa opening the chambers on my guns. Most of the time, they only ask me to show them the serial number so they can compare it to the paperwork they're holding. When I left here last time the check in gal nicely asked me to not open the case where everyone could see it. "Bring it back here out of sight." Okay. I appreciate that some passengers might get apprehensive about guns going on a plane. At the same airport on an earlier trip I opened the case so serial numbers could be checked and paperwork dropped inside. "Would you like me to open the chambers?" She said no. The x-ray machine would tell her if the guns were loaded. Not sure if that's true but I'm not arguing. I can't honestly remember if the Joberg airport police handled my rifles. Seem to recall only enough to find the serial numbers.

 

[Beck]

I use duct tape to wrap the latches on my Pelican Vault so they can't pop open "accidentally." Also I tape the lock to the side of the ammo case and double wrap the case end to end. That ammo case is, I confess, dollar store quality. Should look for something better online. I recommend not using brightly colored duct tape. There's a certain security agent at Joberg airport who has a fetish for the stuff. She'll swipe your roll and not blink an eye. Ask me how I know!

That's interesting because I usually put some bright duct tape on the outside of the gun case to make it recognizable.

 

[Philip Glass]

@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….

It came from my TA Patrick Wright (pwptravel.com) and was verified upon checkin with Delta as one of my clients in June had to reshuffle clothes from the gun case to the suitcase. In this case Delta was adhering to the JNB regs.
There are two fairly new regulations at JNB that many are still not aware of. One is no clothing in the gun case (this started in Europe) and the other is no standard duffel bags are allowed.
I am not sure where to actually look up these regs.

 

[Philip Glass]

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.



View attachment 565451
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I am glad you got by ok with the Plano. These lightweight cases are the very reason we have the "lock in every hole" regulation however. These are not recommended for air travel.

 

[Philip Glass]

@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.

Did he have clothes in the tuffpak? If not it is fine to use one.

 

[Philip Glass]

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….

You absolutely can have other items in the gun case just not clothing. To be smart just keep it to a few items. I travel with a gear bag in my gun case. It has cleaning supplies etc.

 

[Philip Glass]

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

No take your soft cases in the hard gun case! We got to our charter flight in Zim this year and needed to ditch a few hard cases to make everything fit for the four of us. Luckily we all had soft cases. The super cool cut foam just does not work as well as having your soft cases with you at all times!

 

[Philip Glass]

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 !

They can leak so be careful if it rains. A hunter on our flights this year had a true disaster with everything rusted.

 

[Philip Glass]

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.

Always leave the bolts in! Or you may arrive with a very expensive club.

 

[Philip Glass]

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 than the “Tuff Pack” not aware of any cases designed to do this?

Sir you take out a layer of foam and then put two rifles in soft cases in the Pelican.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I am glad you got by ok with the Plano. These lightweight cases are the very reason we have the "lock in every hole" regulation however. These are not recommended for air travel.

I get what you're saying, but I think this one's a lot more durable than you are thinking. Pelican tough? NoPe. I get to use those for work. But it's not a lightweight case. I feel quite comfortable traveling with it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It came from my TA Patrick Wright (pwptravel.com) and was verified upon checkin with Delta as one of my clients in June had to reshuffle clothes from the gun case to the suitcase. In this case Delta was adhering to the JNB regs.
There are two fairly new regulations at JNB that many are still not aware of. One is no clothing in the gun case (this started in Europe) and the other is no standard duffel bags are allowed.
I am not sure where to actually look up these regs.

The regulation about duffle bags has been around for a while. At Joberg they won't let any bags with loose straps past check-in. If needed, handy vendors in the airport will shrink-wrap your strapped luggage to meet regulation ... for a fee of course. My red bag pictured above had no problem getting loaded. I simply zipped the shoulder straps inside.

I would be wary of putting anything in my guncase but guns. If there's now a regulation about clothes in guncases, I'm sure someone will try to interpret it more strictly ... for the sake of asserting his/her authority. Wannabe cops are known for it. As has been said, no point in looking for an argument on vacation.

 

[Philip Glass]

I get what you're saying, but I think this one's a lot more durable than you are thinking. Pelican tough? NoPe. I get to use those for work. But it's not a lightweight case. I feel quite comfortable traveling with it.

You know I love to argue about Pelican being the best
I am glad that is is one of the stronger ones that you are using. I have had a couple guys use the cheap ones from Harbor Freight So I am sure there are many cases that will make a trip or two.

 

[BeeMaa]

In the construction trades they say you can have two of three things, but not all three.
1. Done fast
2. High quality
3. Low price

With rifle cases it seems very similar. Pick the most important ones to you.
1. Lightweight
2. High quality
3. Low price

In general, if you want tough...it's heavier. If you want light...not as tough. Want tough and light? Make a case out of titanium and don't complain about the price. There is no free lunch, one way or another you are going to pay.