Looking For The Best Safari Rifle Case

[Bwanabob]

I have been looking for a Tuffpak 1050TSA rifle case. I like the idea of a case that can accommodate my rifles and my other gear without having to double up on cases.

I did go to order a Tuffpak direct from Nalpak but the shipping costs, to my home in Australia, were limited in options and nearly the same as the cost of the Tuffpak and their base price mysteriously jumped up considerably when the exchange rate was applied and to an amount in excess of the exchange rate. In the end, the Tuffpak would have cost me close to $1,000 - which is just ridiculous, in my opinion.

So I am back to looking for a secondhand Tuffpak but, at the same time, I am open to suggestions from other forum members who may have found other, suitable cases for travel to their hunting safaris.

Any one have any alternative products that might suit my purposes?

 

[BRICKBURN]

That price is ridiculous.

Wish I had an alternate for you besides the typical gun cases.

 

[Royal27]

Just a thought, but I wonder if you could call any of the big sporting goods stores in Australia and try and talk them into being a tuffpak distributor? Wouldn't be an immediate solution I know.... probably have to be made over there too in order to be profitable.

 

[Bhfs300]

HI

I am going to SA the end of next month and I would like to take a rifle this time but I would like to get a case that might take a rifle and a bow. rifle 48 inches plus. I have seen several that might work but need to see them close up to see if they can handle both?

SKB, Cabelas double rifle, all have the same idea.

Is there anyone out there that might have one that will do a rifle top layer and bow bottom layer?

Tom

 

[gordon-kruger]

A friend of me did had some problem with the "Tuffpack" when he flying with air france, during connection and change flight in France to Cameroon they did not let him have anything else than the rifle in the gun case (tuffpack), he did some "repacking" with dresses boots etc. from the tuffpack to his main checked luggage but the space was not enough... and he had to throw away some gear at the airport !!!

I think he wrote about it in HUNTING REPORT, anyhow worth to considering. I have about 10 cases today some of them is broken some is damaged during transport..broken lockers etc.. And I do not know why I keep them around, but the two ones that still working fine is the most expensive ones in aluminium, the hard plastic cases are all damages in one way or another.

Holland & Holland selling a aluminium gun case for something around $600-700 , is a rely good handmade one that will serve you for the next 150=200 check in's !!

Its the same to buy a par of expensive hand made quality shoes, it's always cheaper in the end instead of buying 10 low priced ones.. ...

Gordon

 

[sestoppelman]

I have been using the same SafeTCase case since 1985, two rifle case cost me a whopping $225 back then! Still doing the job. Don't think they are still in business though.

 

[Wheels]

Bwanabob,

I have a Tuffpak and think the design is the best way to carry my firearms while traveling. The price you mentioned a Tuffpak would cost you is ridiculous.

If you don't care what it looks like, make your own generic tuffpak type carrying case.

I have not done this and have not seen it done, but if faced with spending 1,000 on a Tuffpak I would do it.

Use 12 inch diameter schedule 80 pvc.(schedule 40 or 60 may be structurally sound enough) Get two end caps. Glue one in place. Using whatever type of locking system you want, design it into the other end cap so you can use a padlock on it. Rivet a carrying handle or strap to the tube. I probably wouldn't install wheels. I am not an engineer but this should be a lot stronger than a Tufffpak. This will cost less than $100, probably less than $50.

Not sure if this is something you are interested in. Just a thought and possible solution.

All the best.

 

[Mekaniks]

I just did a quick google search and the most expensive one I could find was 580.00. eBay has several diffrent models from 200.00-400.00 for what it's worth...

 

[richteb]

I have been looking for a Tuffpak 1050TSA rifle case. I like the idea of a case that can accommodate my rifles and my other gear without having to double up on cases.

I did go to order a Tuffpak direct from Nalpak but the shipping costs, to my home in Australia, were limited in options and nearly the same as the cost of the Tuffpak and their base price mysteriously jumped up considerably when the exchange rate was applied and to an amount in excess of the exchange rate. In the end, the Tuffpak would have cost me close to $1,000 - which is just ridiculous, in my opinion.

So I am back to looking for a secondhand Tuffpak but, at the same time, I am open to suggestions from other forum members who may have found other, suitable cases for travel to their hunting safaris.

Any one have any alternative products that might suit my purposes?

Why not go with Pelican. Also check the actual weight of the gun cases then add weight of a couple of rifles, you will find that you are lugging an extra 25kg before you start packing any extra gear.
Also recommend you check with the airline you intend to fly with, as when I travelled from Melbourne to Perth with Qantas they were charging excess baggage by the kg so this can add up quickly.
I have nothing but praise for the pelican cases, both my rifles arrived with no zero probles at all. One shot from each with about 5 min of light left on day 1 confirmed that.

 

[DBateman]

Whats so special about the Tuffpak 1050TSA ? I am not familiar with them.

I have a few Pelican cases and have used them for quite a few years. They don't get looked after very well but they continue to hold up and do their job.

I can't recommend them enough.


Edited to fix spelling.

 

[Royal27]

Whats so special about the Tuffpak 1050TSA ? I am not familiar with them.

I have a few Pelican cases and have used them for quite a few years. They don't get looked after very well but they continue to hold up and do their job.

I can recommend them enough.

The great thing about the tuffpak is you can pack other gear in them and they are, as a rule, lighter than a case such as a pelican. So, you still don't go over the weight limit even with the extra gear.

I don't know that they are any tougher than a pelican, but they are more versatile.

 

[ActionBob]

Bwanabob,

Use 12 inch diameter schedule 80 pvc.(schedule 40 or 60 may be structurally sound enough) Get two end caps. Glue one in place. Using whatever type of locking system you want, design it into the other end cap so you can use a padlock on it. Rivet a carrying handle or strap to the tube. I probably wouldn't install wheels. I am not an engineer but this should be a lot stronger than a Tufffpak. This will cost less than $100, probably less than $50.

Not sure if this is something you are interested in. Just a thought and possible solution.

All the best.

Wheels and anyone else contemplating this... Sounds like a great idea at first but 12" PVC is schedule 40 is something like .4 to .5 inch thick, or very close to 1 cm. And when I just bought a semi load of it, I think it cost around $12/ft in 20' lengths.... You might be able to find a contractor who has a scrap you could get cheap or free, but if you have to go buy it, list price on one piece is probably closer to $20/ft so it could cost a lot more than you think, by the time you get done, it would not cost $1000 but it will be way over $100.... Unless you have a lot of time and need a project, just find a case to buy. And more importantly, it will be very heavy. It would be very strong! On the other hand you might try SDR 35 pipe, thinner sewer pipe, but if it breaks, it shatters.

I have a couple SKB cases and I like the double stack one.

 

[Bhfs300]

I just saw something in one of the tuffpak advertisement. You have to have your ammunition in a separate locked case.
Can that case be inside your gun case? They just showed the ammo put in the same tuffpak as the guns.

Tom

 

[enysse]

Tom, it depends on the airline and who is checking in the guns. South African Airlines says it must be seperate. Delta says it can go with the gun.

 

[Royal27]

Tom,

The other thing they don't mention when they show the ammo going in during the video is that the ammo case is a small one. The large ammo box from Napa will not fit in the tuffpak. Due to this I always travel with the ammo in a separate bag. Which is no big deal since I would have the second bag regafdless.

 

[gordon-kruger]

After Brickburn gave the correct information, I was read that the reason that SSA "recommend" that you check the locked ammo-box separate instead of inside your main luggage is to avoid delays when they security x-ray the main luggage and see that there is ammunition inside, it can generate questions and with this delays.

But its still only a "recommendation" from SSA side.

There is not any European air passenger carrier that will allowed ammo inside the rifle case, this is maybe only Delta and during domestic flights inside USA.

Do Anyone know what is the rules for Turkish Airlines ??? I send a mail to them for some time ago and ask specific what they prefer how rifle and ammo should be packed, but they did not answer ???

Gordon

 

[Hank2211]

Bwanabob, I had the same problem as you when I tried to order a Tuffpak. As soon as entered the destination as Canada, they not only added on shipping charges that I thought were excessive, but the price of the Tuffpak itself was higher than if it was shipped to the US! At that point I should have said forget about it - no need to support people who try to rip others off, but I had heard good things about the Tuffpak and was finding my Cabela's heavyweight aluminum rifle case limiting.

I had an option which you might not have - I had the Tuffpak shipped to my son who lives in the US, and he shipped it on to me at a much lower cost, and I paid the US price for the Tuffpak. Foiled them. Perhaps you have a friend in the US who could do the same?

I used it for the first time last month on a 30 day safari to Africa. I was very pleased with it:

1. It doesn't look like a gun case, so people don't stare at you (could be golf clubs). Having said that, the colourful tag that SAA affixes to it that says "Firearms" won't fool anyone close by!

2. The case allows you to put lots of other stuff in it. I put in a winter jacket, my binos, a pair of boots, two rifles and slings (and a few rolls of TP!). The only limit is how much weight you can check - I was allowed 70 pounds, and with all of that I was at about 55.

3. The case performed very well. You can take the guns out without unpacking everything if you pack it correctly (which had had to do more than once for customs, police, etc.). The guns made the journey without any problems, and without impacting the scopes at all.

The case looks like it's been on a hard trip, but then it was - three flights to my destination, then another two in the middle, then three home. Having said that, the only issues are cosmetic, and the case suffered no damage.

I have very little doubt that it (and its contents) could take the shock of being dropped better than a metal case.

So as I said, very pleased with it, but not with Tuffpak itself.

 

[Tanks]

Tom,

The other thing they don't mention when they show the ammo going in during the video is that the ammo case is a small one. The large ammo box from Napa will not fit in the tuffpak. Due to this I always travel with the ammo in a separate bag. Which is no big deal since I would have the second bag regafdless.

I just traveled with the large ammo case in my TuffPack. It does fit if you put it in sideways. I put it that way, and then put some clothes around it. However, one thing to consider is weight. If you have status with Delta and get 70lbs allowance then you can put ammo in there and not be over. I was at 67lbs with 10.3lbs of ammo (14lbs with the case). That is with 2 rifles and bunch of clothes.

I would recommend the sack made especially for the TuffPak, it does make it much easier to pack, and inspect.

 

[Wheels]

Wheels and anyone else contemplating this... Sounds like a great idea at first but 12" PVC is schedule 40 is something like .4 to .5 inch thick, or very close to 1 cm. And when I just bought a semi load of it, I think it cost around $12/ft in 20' lengths.... You might be able to find a contractor who has a scrap you could get cheap or free, but if you have to go buy it, list price on one piece is probably closer to $20/ft so it could cost a lot more than you think, by the time you get done, it would not cost $1000 but it will be way over $100.... Unless you have a lot of time and need a project, just find a case to buy. And more importantly, it will be very heavy. It would be very strong! On the other hand you might try SDR 35 pipe, thinner sewer pipe, but if it breaks, it shatters.

I have a couple SKB cases and I like the double stack one.

Thanks for the correction. I didn't realize the price was that high these days.

It would still be a pretty indestructible rifle case at a reasonable price if a person doesn't mind ugly.

All the best.

 

[ActionBob]

Yea I just happen to have the quote on my desk yet, 12 inch Schedule 40 was $15.35/foot.... so over $300 if you need to buy 20' stick... But sometimes they have a broken or cut off piece. The end caps are not real cheap either when you get up to 12".... Again, I would worry more about the weight.