Removing scopes for travel

[Rhoyland4]

I have seen several people on her mention removing their scopes for the trip over. Do you use QD mounts or do you take a torque wrench and just reinstall the standard mount?

I can get two un-scoped rifles in one of my current gun cases, but would have to buy a new case otherwise.

New Pelican V800 with custom foam is $600.
Larue QD rings are $350/pair.
Custom foam for my current case is $110.

 

[Doug3006]

I use QD rings. The primary scope remains attached to the rifle in the case. The backup scope has its own cutout in the case. Both scopes have been sited in well before leaving. A quick trip to the range at camp is all that’s needed o confirm.

I’ve carried scopes in hard cases inside my carryon with no problems.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

for about 165.00 you can buy the Pelican case knockoff at Harbor Freight and then trace around both rifles and scopes and take a filet knife and cut it out no need to spend money for custom cut

 

[Rhoyland4]

for about 165.00 you can buy the Pelican case knockoff at Harbor Freight and then trace around both rifles and scopes and take a filet knife and cut it out no need to spend money for custom cut

That is the case I have. It will not hold two scoped rifles, only un-scoped. The custom foam is a lot better quality foam, and I think it is worth the price to protect my guns.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

That is the case I have. It will not hold two scoped rifles, only un-scoped. The custom foam is a lot better quality foam, and I think it is worth the price to protect my guns.

strange, a buddy used one last year when we went to Africa and he had to scoped rifles in his with no clearance issues. or look for a Pelican 1750 that is what I use with 2 rifles

 

[RR 314]

for about 165.00 you can buy the Pelican case knockoff at Harbor Freight and then trace around both rifles and scopes and take a filet knife and cut it out no need to spend money for custom cut

Somebody here turned me onto a reciprocating electric carving knife. Just a heads up to others, that works so much better than anything else I’ve tried.

Last trip, ended up only taking one rifle, but laid out two prior to cutting the foam. Pelican 1750 should hold two scoped rifles.

 

[JimP]

That is the case I have. It will not hold two scoped rifles, only un-scoped. The custom foam is a lot better quality foam, and I think it is worth the price to protect my guns.

@CoElkHunter took two scoped rifles over in one a couple years ago.

If I was home I'd get mine out and take a picture of it.

But back in subject, hunters take their scopes off for the trip over all the time for various reasons. Just purchase quality quick detachable rings. I wouldn't even think of trying to remount a scope and sight it in after a flight over.

 

[Sabre]

I would just get a case that fits both comfortably. If you remove the scopes, get QD mounts.

 

[CoElkHunter]

for about 165.00 you can buy the Pelican case knockoff at Harbor Freight and then trace around both rifles and scopes and take a filet knife and cut it out no need to spend money for custom cut

The brand offered at Harbor Freight is Apache. @JimP recommended that case and I bought the two scoped rifle case. I took two scoped rifles to RSA in 2022 via American, Qatar and Skylink to PE. Six transfers round trip and even the savage baggage handlers didn’t put more than a scratch on the case. BTW, I used heavy duty Brinks brand key locks ($4) and not even a scratch on them. One guy in the group was using combo Master Locks ($10) and 3 of them broke. He came back with one or two locks on his gun case and NONE on his ammo box.

 

[Seavas]

I picked up a two-rifle case from cabelas that's very similar to the Pelican but much more cost effective. Two heavy duty handles, wheels, four strong latches, two lock points, and foam blank. Fits two scoped rifles no problem with room for a few accessories. It's been on two trips to Africa and multiple road trips in the US bouncing around in the back of a pickup with no issues.

If you remove scopes to travel I would absolutely use some kind of QD system.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I use either a Pelican or TuffPac. Never have removed scopes for travel. So far never had one off and had to rezero when arrived. I take two rifles and sometimes 3. Why I use the TuffPac most of the time.

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

+1 for Tuffpak

 

[mark-hunter]

Do you use QD mounts or do you take a torque wrench and just reinstall the standard mount?

All my hunting rifles have QD mounts. Air travel is not the only reason, because all my rifles have also iron sights. In any case, I take the scope off and keep it in cabin luggage. I have then also a peace of mind. Swarovski scope worth is more then a rifle.

 

[Tra3]

I remove scopes and carry them in my carry on bag along with binoculars.

Definitely items DO NOT entirely remove a scope from the rings and then try and remount in africa. That will burn precious time and precious ammo.

The cost of QD mounts would be worth it.

If you anticipate traveling more with rifles, then just getting a good case will be worth your investment. A pelican case will last many years!

I also use an electric Turkey carving knife. They work great. The outcome may not be very pretty. But it works. Just make sure to not draw on your rifle when using a sharpie marker. (Don’t ask me how I know about that)

 

[DrBob]

One still needs to verify point of impact in the bush. I brought along the Bushnell bore sighting kit. Before the flight , I recorded by grid numbers. Before verifying in bush, I rechecked the scope with the bore sighter.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Same as many above, I have QD mounts on my Rigby and remove the scope all the time, even during range sessions shooting scoped and iron sights. For travel, I just put the rings and Swaro in my pack in the cabin. One less thing for baggage handlers to try and tear up. Nice peace of mind too.

 

[MontanaPat]

I have used a Pelican Vault 2 rifle case twice now to Africa. It fits 2 model 70’s (375HH & 308 or 300 WM) both wearing Leupold scopes with no problem and extra room available for small items if needed. My scopes have QR mounts but I don’t take them off to travel, both trips one shot confirmed still on target for each rifle.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Pelican Vault single gun case. Note the slip-on recoil pads added to protect stocks from rubbing against muzzles. Scopes go inside carryon in leather bags I made for each.

Warne QD rings for both scopes.

Don't forget to add an AirTag concealed underneath the foam.

 

[VertigoBE]

QD mounts definitely and keep the optics in your carry on. That’s already quite some dollars that cannot get ‘lost’ while travelling.

 

[rookhawk]

I have seen several people on her mention removing their scopes for the trip over. Do you use QD mounts or do you take a torque wrench and just reinstall the standard mount?

I can get two un-scoped rifles in one of my current gun cases, but would have to buy a new case otherwise.

New Pelican V800 with custom foam is $600.
Larue QD rings are $350/pair.
Custom foam for my current case is $110.

I have no use for a rifle that has a permanently attached optic. A scope is far to precious an item to be in the belly of a plane.

After a shot on DG, I may very well remove the scope for final recovery, handing the optic to a tracker so I'm ready with irons.

Even on rifles I own that have no iron sights, I still use QD rings 100% of the time.

A few other reasons: A proper case and two guns without optics is going to squeeze you under the 50lb airline over-weight limit. Three guns in case without optics will get you under the Biz/First class 70lb limit.

I can't speak to Larue tactical rings personally because I have no interest in pic rails and tactical rings, but a good set of rings that are QD should be around that pricepoint. A few good ones include the EAW Pivots, German Claws, H&H Claws, Rigby Claws, Griffin & Howe side mounts, and of course Talley QD Rings. I also don't buy into the blaser mindset, but I'm told their Countessa mounts are excellent QDs.