Flying with Guns

[Fulch]

Any suggestions on rifle cases that are not going to break the bank, the trip north is costly on its own. I know on TSA’s website it states it must be hard sided, un-crushable and lockable to the point it cannot be pried open. Just looking for suggestions on Makes and Models you gentlemen have successfully traveled with. I fly yearly so I’d need the case to last multiply seasons. The last few years my father who drives in from Washington State brings my rifle. This year I picked up a 300WSM and am looking forward to throwing some lead.

 

SKB and Pelican have a few that seem pretty cost effective. I really like the idea of the TuffPak being able to store guns (I'm only traveling with one rifle and one side arm), luggage and doesn’t look obviously like a gun case but they are pricy, any quality substitutes?

 

Come on winter…Thanks fulch

[43F]

Last time I flew I used a hard plastic Plano brand that I got from Bass Pro Shops. I used to have one that was possibly aluminum or just colored hard plastic, but I can't remember. Both of them had their own locking mechanisms and both worked fine. My dad and uncle have started to give me their stuff so I load up what I can every time I come back from Chicago, so I've done this a few times. Only bad thing I would say about my current case is that it is not as long as the other one I had. I think I paid right around $100.00 for the old aluminum and $115.00ish for the Plano.

[hunter4life]

My dad and I have used an aluminum (got the thicker walled one, I think 0.080") 2 rifle case from Cabelas that we got about 15 years ago. This case is tough and has been around the world on multiple hunts and has stood up to all the abuse the airlines could throw at it. I just quickly looked at their website and did not see an equivalent version so they may no longer be making it. I have seen inexpensive plastic cases destroyed on a single flight. I have never used or known someone who uses a tuffpak or pelican case so I cannot comment on them.

 

It may be worth shooting scottyboy a PM as he also has done a lot of international travel and likely has a case he could recommend.

[pwrguy]

I like the pelican case. I have taken to using it everywhere including on my quad. They are tough and waterproof.

[rcdinaz]

Borrow one... Pelican cases are indestructible but you can get away with a high end Plano.

 

Surely someone will loan you one, you could easily offer them all the info you learn from your hunt and tell them you will help them out if they ever decide to make the same trip. Info like that is invaluable as the learning curve can be steep.

[Fulch]

Broke down an picked up a Pelican 1750. Flown with it twice, it's a very nice case. Amazon it was around $200 bucks but worth it to protect my rifles. 3 pieces of foam design. I cut one out and used it for my rifle, saved the cut-outs and put it back in the bottom slot so I could use one of the other pieces of foam for my muzzleloader hunt. Pricey but after two trips worth every cent.

[resolute]

I've had the airlines break 2 skb bow cases. Go pelican or alum

[billrquimby]

Something you might want to consider, especially if you will be flying in a small bushplane to your camp (you said you're planning a trip "north"), is to leave the foam in your gun case at home.

 

Put your rifle in a soft case inside the hard case and fill the space around it with hunting clothes, binocular, knife, etc. You can leave the hard case with your outfitter and fly to camp with the rifle in the soft case. I started doing that over 20 years ago and never had a problem, even on trips to Asia and Africa.

 

Bill Quimby

[az_shooter]

Find one of of those old school aluminum gun cases, those things are almost indestructible and they lock pretty good. If you search around you could find one at a yard sale or on craigslist for cheap. If not then borrow a case from a friend until you can find a good one yourself.