Rifle Cases & Custom Cut Foam

[xbr897]

Measurements: 47x16x6.5
Weight as shown is just a hair under 19kg (42 lb).

For the scope cutouts, I had two of them cut for 3-18 scopes and one cut for a 4-24. The scope in bottom right is a 2-12 and smaller than the 3-18 so it doesn't take up the full cutout. Suppressor here is a TBAC 338 Ultra as that is about same size as my incoming TBAC Magnus in 375.

The only thing that was a bit less than expected is that there is a slight gap between foam and case at what is the left/right ends in this picture. It's hard to tell in the photo, but i was able to put the Blaser T-handle between the foam and case at the far right edge in this pic. There was some resistance but not all that much. I had expected foam to be a tighter fit within the case as the whole bottom foam 'unit' will slightly shift up and down and have more movement left/right. I'll be figuring out how to shim it a bit to keep it more in place. Going to email gunfoam to get their take on how to have it a bit more fixed in place.

 

[franzfmdavis]

No DIY attempt will look as nice as these professional cut outs; however, if someone is inclined to cut their own foam at home, I have found that a twin bladed electric carving knife does as good a job as is possible at home.

 

[BeeMaa]

@xbr897 - A couple of questions. What case are you using and what is the total weight when loaded? Lastly, how deep did you make the pocket for the rifle? I went with 2.75" to keep the bolt handle from sticking too much into the top foam.

 

[Challer]

How much will that case weigh @xbr897? I have had overfilled cases break on me in shipping

 

[xbr897]

@xbr897 - A couple of questions. What case are you using and what is the total weight when loaded? Lastly, how deep did you make the pocket for the rifle? I went with 2.75" to keep the bolt handle from sticking too much into the top foam.

It’s the 4514 GunFoam case. Weight is 42 lbs as pictured. The bolt handle protrudes just slightly above hard foam, I didn’t get specific measurement. I recall during our email exchanges that they would cut depth to have it protrude about 1/4”.

 

[xbr897]

How much will that case weigh @xbr897? I have had overfilled cases break on me in shipping

42lbs as pictured. I don’t have worries about it being overfilled as the outer case seems pretty solid. Will find out for sure on a Moz trip next month.

 

[Challer]

Older cases had hardened steel pins between handle and case. A lot of new ones are plastics. Some drill rod from McMaster would give me a better sense of security

 

[Mort Hill]

Measurements: 47x16x6.5
Weight as shown is just a hair under 19kg (42 lb).

For the scope cutouts, I had two of them cut for 3-18 scopes and one cut for a 4-24. The scope in bottom right is a 2-12 and smaller than the 3-18 so it doesn't take up the full cutout. Suppressor here is a TBAC 338 Ultra as that is about same size as my incoming TBAC Magnus in 375.

The only thing that was a bit less than expected is that there is a slight gap between foam and case at what is the left/right ends in this picture. It's hard to tell in the photo, but i was able to put the Blaser T-handle between the foam and case at the far right edge in this pic. There was some resistance but not all that much. I had expected foam to be a tighter fit within the case as the whole bottom foam 'unit' will slightly shift up and down and have more movement left/right. I'll be figuring out how to shim it a bit to keep it more in place. Going to email gunfoam to get their take on how to have it a bit more fixed in place.
View attachment 628875

That is downright beautiful. Never said that regarding a gun case! Kudos!

 

[PARA45]

42lbs as pictured. I don’t have worries about it being overfilled as the outer case seems pretty solid. Will find out for sure on a Moz trip next month.

Any new updates on how your new case perform on the trip to Moz?

 

[xbr897]

Any new updates on how your new case perform on the trip to Moz?

It worked great. I realized I had to put small pieces of foam on top of the Blaser barrels as one was apparently bounced around and though it was not out of the cut channel, it was sideways in it. Other than that, no issues at all.

Unfortunately, thanks to LAM Mozambique Airlines, my rifle did not make it on my flight to Maputo (Pilot refused to transport any rifle or ammo despite it having been pre-approved, or at least Gracy Travel claimed it was pre-approved) and did not get there before my next flight out to Lichinga. As Lichinga flights were every 2-3 days and we were a 4-5 hour drive from airport, I instead had them route the rifle back to JNB and held there until my return. With the airtag in it I could it where it was. Gilbert from Africa Sky also checked in with SAPS to get rifle back and make sure it was secure in JNB. Sadly, Gracy Travel's rep did nothing to help even though they had booked the flights, he just stopped replying to my whatsapp messages. Thankfully I had good relationship with Gilbert from previous trips and he stepped up here, which I appreciated both in words and compensation for him.

 

[dogcat1]

Not to derail, but I don't understand packing a soft gun case to Africa. The lodges are bound to have loners I would think. Haven't looked at my lodge's suggested packing list since they updated the website, but I don't recall seeing soft gun case on the old list. Seemed to be plenty of them in the their armory. Surely the lodges at least have enough soft cases to take care of their rentals and a few extras in case one gets damaged or lost in the field?

Of course, some guys have showpiece soft gun cases they wish to share (visually!) with other hunters. That's fine. Admittedly, a showpiece rifle might look out of place stowed in an old canvas or leather soft gun case. And who knows what kind of crappy gun cases the lodge uses for loners (turns out my lodge's loners were MUCH better quality than the ones I had at home). I'm not terribly concerned about gun case quality because my guns are tools, not showpieces.

Incidentally, my first PH told me knife would be removed from the lodge's list when it was updated (I didn't bring a knife anyway). Listing it caused too many problems with fatheads who insisted on dressing their own game. "Why would you tell me to bring a knife if I can't use it." Would be nothing on the new list about NOT bringing one but listing it as suggested implied the wrong things.

Wow. A double derailment. Very atypical for me, eh?

OH,
Not sure where you hunt in Africa, but planning on the "lodge having a soft case" is not always the best idea. Unless you know for sure, you should take your own gear. I use Tuffpaks and pack each rifle in a premium soft case inside the Tuffpak. That way, when I get on a charter, I leave the Tuffpaks with the meet and greet folks, than take the soft cases in the small plane.

As to a knife, after 17 trips to 11 countries, I have never needed one.