Tuffpak Question

[Dinsdale]

Great, thank you. I try to pack pretty light also, I hate carrying luggage.

Here what I did with 2 rifle StrongCase.....

Took foam from back and spray contact cemented to a 1/2" birch plywood piece and I trap that at the ends with a piece of stiff foam scrap. I've bought a bunch of cases from Tom the owner (At least a dozen?) so I had him send a foam piece with another case as a replacement so I can go back to original if I want too.

Then I put my hiking boots on either end and put bolt in a sock inside one boot and dump all my other kit in space left over. I own all synthetic type cloths and don't have to pack bulky cottons so I can fit 3 weeks of kit no problem between this case layout and carry on. Take some Merino to layer with if expecting cooler temps. I take whatever work boots I'm wearing at the time so not sure how special "safari" things will fit.

I use these as soft case for on truck or when needed for road travel as req'd and fold one under the fore end/barrel of rifle;

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/939460228/midwayusa-silicone-treated-rifle-and-shotgun-gun-sock

When done with hunt I often leave stuff behind and use the space for souvenir type junk I have picked up along the way.

Big believer in finding the system that works for you; I never have to start with domestic flights as its less than 2 hrs and I can be on direct route to J'berg; so packing some kit in with gun is not an issue for me, not sure how that works at other US airports. If I'm on 2 independent tickets like this fall from J'berg to Harare, I ask nice and they don't ask for any charges for being a bit heavy by a few kg's. Just my experience.

 

[Dinsdale]

My favorite Strong Case I take to work every day.....

 

[sheephunterab]

We've had ours on several dozen trips and never an issue other than Air New Zealand managed to rip the handle off once but a $10 replacement fixed that. We pack some soft clothes in bottom, put rifles in soft cases inside the bag that came with the Tuffpak and then some soft clothes, shooting sticks, hiking poles etc in with them and then some more soft clothes on the top. Inspection is as quick as pulling the bag out and unzipping the cases.

 

[ack]

I use an SKB golf case (straight one )..5 trips to Ak. and 2 to Africa with 2 rifles in soft cases and clothes and boots and assorted souviniers in one case..Has good locks.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I like the SKB but it all boils down to personal preference and what each individual doesn't mind dealing with.
One data point, last September I did not have to ship my ammo separately in country in RSA. That was something new since 2013.

 

[JG416]

When I first had my tuffpak I didn't have the optional bag that goes inside it. Occasionally inspectors would pull my guns out and have a hard time getting them back in with the clothes etc. still in the case and they would ram it in. Now I have the optional bag that is made to match the tuffpak, it is easy to pack the guns surrounded by clothes and put it in as a unit that I know will fit. I intentionally put it in with the opening to the bag away from the opening to the case such that they will have to remove it as a unit if they want to inspect, and then put it back in as a unit. Also, if you weight the empty tuffpak, you can then weigh the bag with the clothes and gun and adjust for allowed weight much easier than putting everything in the case and weighing it and then taking everything out to repeatedly adjust for weight limits. One thing to be aware of: occasionally when my friends are picking up their gun cases from secured luggage I often find mine in the unsecured area with regular luggage--I think they assume it is golf clubs.

 

[The Engineer]

I have used the Tuffpak on several trips to Africa with no problems and just scuffing to the case. With the inner "duffle bag" that Tuffpak sells it is easy to pack padding items around the rifle(s) and then slide the whole thing in the case. I pack mine with the rifle(s) in soft case(s) barrels down so they can easily be slid out of the soft cases for inspection. Need to check and make sure the firearms can be easily slid in and out of the soft cases and you can pull the "duffle bag" in and out while repacking to achieve his goal. If they cannot be easily slid in and out you may face a repacking task at TSA or country firearms exit authority. I use clothes in a plastic bag that fills the open end to expedite inspections and provide padding.

 

[Gemsbok Gangsta]

I use the Red Oxx soft case as the Internal bag. Last trip funny enough didn’t come out with rifles as they thought the case was Golf Clubs!!

 

[Ernie Shipman]

I LOVE mine - used it on 2 trips last year. One in US, one to SA. I LOVE how it just keeps gobbling up gear. I used mine to put hunting clothes around the gun slip. ONLY drawback - at JFK I had to pull everything out as the police wanted to se all inside... (they were polite, but firm)... so, make sure you order the inner stuff sack. It is big, BUT saves you from having a 2nd piece of luggage...

 

[YancyW]

I LOVE mine - used it on 2 trips last year. One in US, one to SA. I LOVE how it just keeps gobbling up gear. I used mine to put hunting clothes around the gun slip. ONLY drawback - at JFK I had to pull everything out as the police wanted to se all inside... (they were polite, but firm)... so, make sure you order the inner stuff sack. It is big, BUT saves you from having a 2nd piece of luggage...

How did you pack your ammo?

 

[meigsbucks]

Highly recommend it. When I was at the SCI convention in 2011, my booking agent recommended it. My PH recommended it. My travel agent recommended it. So I bought one there.
I used it for my first safari. I took two rifles in soft cases. I had a jacket in the bottom for padding and some clothes at the top for padding and to prevent shifting. I wrapped bubble wrap around the middle of the soft cases for further protection of scopes.
Can't pack ammo with guns so it went in the duffle.
It has a few scuffs but is in good shape.
Using it to go to Namibia this year.