Looking For The Best Safari Rifle Case

[Nyati]

As Gordon-Kruger said, if you fly a European carrier, or depart from an airport in Europe, only your rifle is allowed in your rifle case, nothing else.

I use an explorer case, www.explorercases.com

 

[Ron 18]

Americase. tough , never had a pr0blem with the 4 I've got

 

[Bwanabob]

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.

Thanks, that is a very interesting idea and I will look into it.

 

[Bwanabob]

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.

Thanks for the input. I have been using Pelican equipment cases for some time and I have used Pelican gun cases when driving to hunting areas. The main reason I was looking at an alternative to the Pelican is that they are fairly heavy to start with and I liked the Tuffpak idea of being able to put clothing and guns in the one case. I have been travelling overseas for work, for some years now, carrying a suitcase, a Pelican equipment case, a Pelican computer case and a backpack - so I am looking for the most 'compact' option for my hunting trips.

 

[ActionBob]

SKB double stacked, not side by side, gun case. Light weight, strong, durable (went to RSA and back without a scratch) good latches and padlock spot, nice handles and even has wheels.

Take out the splitter foam piece and replace with clothing around the gun(s).... I don't see why you could not take out the section of foam made to cut gun patterns into and pack clothes around them in Pelican or other cases. Of course you might get some gun oil on your clothes. Cost is between $200 and $300. If only taking one gun, you would have a lot of room. Might get tight with 2 guns and binos... But put the binos in your carry on. Thing is you may still need to check a separate bag with ammo. It would be great to be able to get down to one checked and one carry on!

I'm sure this has been asked somewhere on the forum already, but can we just ship ammo over ahead of time, like Fed Ex or something?

 

[flatwater bill]

I have twice traveled to Africa with my rifle in a lockable bow case. Lots of room, less likely to be stolen, maybe available in your area. My rifle was a short Ruger No 1 in 45-70...don't know if a longer bolt would have fit.................fwiw........................FWB

 

[BigSteve57]

We used a Pelican 1750 for both of our rifles and could not have been happier.

I also got into a huge "discussion" with the Tuffpak folks a the SCI convention in Las Vegas regarding the packing of rifles, ammo and clothes etc... in the same case as the firearm. Those that said it in earlier posts that it isn't always permitted are right. Our flights would not have allowed us to pack anything but the rifles in the Pelican case and ammo had to have its own separate dedicated bag when flying from Johannesburg to Windhoek.

Also, I would want better more consistent packing for my rifle & scope than clothes and underwear. I just don't believe clothing makes good solid packing material for rifles & scopes in any context.

 

[Sika98k]

I'm sure this has been asked somewhere on the forum already, but can we just ship ammo over ahead of time, like Fed Ex or something?

Shipping ammo ahead would be wonderful! However it would require an export licence from the country of export and an import licence to the country of destination. Who do you import it to?
In this context it is not personal possessions being accompanied by the owner so the full ho ha has to be gone through.
The cost also would make it somewhat unrealistic.
If you are not hand loading IMHO the best thing to do is find out what is available at your intended destination and practice with the same ammo at home and pick it up wherever you go to hunt.

 

[Rob404]

I used a SKB Double Stack on my SA trip,,After being handled by baggage handlers in 4 different Airports it still looked great the spring loaded handle and the almost flush wheels were a plus,I bought the case from an Overstock company and when they shipped it they didn't bother to wrap it and it even made it thru UPS ,,I have to admit to being a little concerned because SKB isn't mentioned all that much and the price was less than some of the other brands but it performed without a Flaw

 

[Savage Hunter]

My Pelican has done the job wonderfully.
BUT, next trip I'm thinking about carrying a rifle and a bow.
Any ideas about a case that would accommodate both in one case?

I ask because I see the bow cases are shorter and wider.

 

[ActionBob]

We have two SKB cases, the in the picture above and another that is very similar to a Pelican with the foam you cut to fit around the gun. They both have their good points, but I think overall I would recommend the double stack one. It is more compact and handles better. It is also stiffer and I think will stand up to abuse better and probably last longer. I did no cutting on the latter, just laid things in the bottom, put in the foam center piece and laid a second gun on top, facing the opposite way. Only negative I saw was the need to hold up the top gun to show the serial number of the bottom one. However with a little strategic planning on how you lay them in there, mainly having the serial number facing up on the bottom one, and not too much other stuff on top, it is pretty easily managed. I had binos, tools, flashlights and other things packed in there as well.

BigSteve;
We did not pack clothing in with our guns, I agree with you... Simply mentioned it as a possible solution to the OP's question.

 

[Jclark]

Anyone use the Americase rifle cases? 2 or 3 rifle with compartments in lid to store the bolt. Aluminum with wheels and clips on it so you can strap a duffle to it when you roll it around.

 

[jeffpg]

Ok, I am currently looking for my "perfect" gun case and I am torn between the Tuffpak and the Pelican.

The Tuffpac is certainly more versatile and I like everything about it except one thing...
The simple fact that certain places you may fly into will not allow anything to be inside the case with the rifle could really create a problem for you.

The Pelican 1750 will handle 2 long guns very well and bring much peace of mind IMO.

My Pelican has done the job wonderfully.
BUT, next trip I'm thinking about carrying a rifle and a bow.
Any ideas about a case that would accommodate both in one case?

I ask because I see the bow cases are shorter and wider.

In this situation I believe I'd go with my guns in one case and use my Badlands Terraglide duffle for the bow. It works well with it's partial hard case in conjunction with clothing stuffed around the bow for protection. A hard arrow case would handle your arrow shafts.

 

[Royal27]

Ok, I am currently looking for my "perfect" gun case and I am torn between the Tuffpak and the Pelican.

The Tuffpac is certainly more versatile and I like everything about it except one thing...
The simple fact that certain places you may fly into will not allow anything to be inside the case with the rifle could really create a problem for you.

The Pelican 1750 will handle 2 long guns very well and bring much peace of mind IMO.

I'd still go with the Tuffpak even knowing this. 1. It is fairly unlikely to be an issue for most of us. 2. If it does become an issue I can't imagine that packing material couldn't be used inside the Tuffpak - nothing like a little bubble wrap!

 

[Bhfs300]

Jeffpg
I was thinking the same thing and was going with the Pelican but then I went to Cabelas and they had their Armor Xtreme double on sale for $150 and I looked at the two side by side and thought for about $80 less I went with the Cabelas one. I would tell you how it worked but I leave this Thursday. It is a little wider and I think for two scoped rifles that will be better.
I looking at their legendary aniversary sale and it is still on sale till Sept 21.
Good Luck shopping
BHFS300

 

[jeffpg]

Thanks fellows, as much hunting as I have done abroad over the past few years, I haven't got on a plane with a long gun since my Arizona Strip mule deer hunt in 2005. Handguns and archery gear yes, but not rifles. I have been fortunate to borrow some dang good old rifles from PH's in Africa, and although I woulda rather had my own arms, it has been very enlightening to say the least to hunt with some makes and models as well as many calibers that I'd not previously hunted with. It has made a .375 H&H and 7x57 Mauser lover out of me!

I will embark on a Bezoar Ibex hunt in Turkey with a couple of fellow hunters in February, and I will definitely be hauling one of my pet rifles with me on this very special trip. We just nailed it down yesterday, and I am supremely pumped for this already as it's something I have wanted to do for a long time and I can't seem to draw the New Mexico Ibex hunt. We will hunt with Recep Ecer it that means anything to anyone here.

Anyway, I have looked at all of the information shared here, and I have actually added a contender to the list... The SKB model 5009 double stack mentioned here appears to be a great little case and I'm considering it, but I can get the Pelican 1750 for the same money. I have located a 18 month old, but unused Tuffpac 1050 that has a Tuffsak with it that I can get sent to me for about $400. That's twice what I'll pay for the other 2, but it is a cool case that I have wanted to put my hands on for a long time and will push $500 bills from the manufacturer with the Tuffsac.

I am actually very tempted to get the Tuffpak while I can as I can always get the Pelican or SKB later if I decide to.

 

[Wheels]

Jeff,

I like my Tuffpak. Can't say anything about the other cases because I know nothing about them.

What I should do is rent out my Tuffpak at $50 per pop. It is my understanding that if it is damaged Tuffpak will fix/replace it. Maybe I am onto a business idea!?!?

I definitely want to hear about your Bezoar hunt. That is a hunt I plan to take one of these days. If you are close to the border maybe you can cull a couple of ISIS while there.

All the best.

 

[Royal27]

Jeff,

I like my Tuffpak. Can't say anything about the other cases because I know nothing about them.

What I should do is rent out my Tuffpak at $50 per pop. It is my understanding that if it is damaged Tuffpak will fix/replace it. Maybe I am onto a business idea!?!?

I definitely want to hear about your Bezoar hunt. That is a hunt I plan to take one of these days. If you are close to the border maybe you can cull a couple of ISIS while there.

All the best.

Tuffpak rental, now that is a good idea! I'm sure you could break one, but I don't know now....

 

[Wheels]

Tuffpak rental, now that is a good idea! I'm sure you could break one, but I don't know now....

Another business here on AH......Tuffpak Timeshare!

 

[Royal27]

Another business here on AH......Tuffpak Timeshare!

You should probably go ahead and get a booth at DSC. cha ching!!!!