long rifle case

[The other DWS]

I'm going down south for  week or 10 days next month and I want to take my project rifle with me to work on.  I've got the cardboard box the "kit" (TOTW) came in but its considerable over size.  This got me to wondering; what kind of cases you you guys use to transport your rifles?

I've got various weights of plastic cases from the el cheepo knock off Plano-style cases to hard pelican/SKB style cases for my other rifles but I've never seen anything long enough for a long rifle

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Cabellas has a couple.

[490roundball]

I have a kalispell muzzleloader case - heavy and solid - but have been planning on one of these

http://www.uniquecases.com/section.php?xSec=7&jssCart=1f85a409c1a42717749f34282ccbd8a7

for short trips

[The other DWS]

thanks for the link for a soft case--I saved it----- and the Cabala's tip too.   I'll have to look in my cabala's catalogue  I look at the fly fish'n stuff but usually ignore the shooting section.

I'd like to build a nice case someday but wondered what you used when you were hauling the long iron to shows and shoots.  of course I've seen real big buck near mint original engraved schuetzens hauled in rolled up blankets tied with binder twine

[Pete G.]

I have been more than happy with the canvas lined blanket cases from MBS. Good protection and good looks both, How can you go wrong?

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

I have an Elk hide cover for one and canvas covers for the others. Blanket lining is important for scratch avoidance and moisture wicking etc... They work fine in my car...Its airplance travel or shipping that is the challenge. It has to be hard enough to withstand a tank running over it,,,,or an airline employee throwing it around or getting it caught on a conveyor system....

[Eric Fleisher]

I have three soft side cases from the Log Cabin Shop.  They are nicely padded, with full length zippers.  I can easily carry guns with 46" barrels in these cases. $30

http://www.logcabinonline.com/index1.html

[roundball]

I have some of these 62" Unique cases...excellent quality, well padded, heavy duty cordura and zipper, full length cleaning / range rod pocket sewn along one side

http://www.uniquecases.com/section.php?xSec=7&jssCart=1f85a409c1a42717749f34282ccbd8a7

[Birddog6]

Here ya go:  I have 1 of each of these aluminum ones, plus a hardshell plastic one. Can't find the plastic one now, but pretty sure I got it from Cabelas years ago for about $65. No longer listed there. It is like a GunGuard case only black.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=netcon&id=0065998216935a&navCount=1&podId=0065998&parentId=cat603823&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=2146251080&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

http://www.kalispelcaseline.com/cases/Aluminum-Rifle-Cases.asp


Just depends on how much $ you want to spend.   The Kalispel case is really tough (and should be for the $)  & will definitely last you a lifetime. And it is Airport durable with a locking rod that goes thru all the latches & etc.   It is heavy, didn't weigh it but I guess the case along weighs over 15#, but it is the best case I ever saw.

[Joey R]

Keith, Which Kalispel do you have? The muzzleloading or the 50 caliber? Thanks!!!

[Jim Chambers]

Kalispel will also  custom make any size case you need for very little more than their standard cases.  If you need one a little longer or wider than standard, just give them your dimensions, and they will be glad to make it.  I've used them for years and never had a gun damaged.

[amohkali]

Mine are made from a car headliner fabric that looks like wool 'til you handle it.  It's not 100% waterproof, but does repel water pretty well.  That lets me keep them cased on site and nobody knows the difference.  It also pads them a little bit.

I am actually trying to figure out better solutions myself; have thought of just building a multigun 'chest' like a couple of guys on here have posted, only a lot shallower -- it seems like i'm taking three or four guns wherever I go lately, so this would work in my SUV, but not on a plane.

[smshea]

Jim or Keith, do you ever Ship guns(UPS) in these aluminum cases? and if so do they come back in one piece?

[Birddog6]

Keith, Which Kalispel do you have? The muzzleloading or the 50 caliber? Thanks!!!

Mine is the Black Powder Rifle Case.  You can get 2 ML's in it with 42" barrels usually.  And when you clamp it shut, they definitely don't move. But I usually still put a doubled dry material of some type for a pad at the buttplates & muzzle, just in case. But never have had them move in it.

[Birddog6]

Jim or Keith, do you ever Ship guns(UPS) in these aluminum cases? and if so do they come back in one piece?

No, I don't ship rifles in it. Reason being it is too expensive to replace if it gets lost or stolen or someone just doesn't return it. But I have no doubt in my mind it would withstand anything UPS or the USPS puts out. These are Serious gun cases, not like anything you will see in the usual gun stores.
 
This is what I ship my rifles in after they are built.  Have shipped over 25 rifles in this crate since I built it (25 trips out & 25 back) & it is still going strong. I encase it in cardboard.  Have replaced the cardboard around it once & it is almost due again.  Had two of them & shipped one to Alaska & it cost as much to ship the crate back as a new one to make so the guy just kept it & paid me for it.

[Jim Chambers]

Every custom rifle I've ever shipped has been in one of the Kalispel aluminum cases.  I usually ship in a new case still in the cardboard box and give the customer the option of purchasing the case or sending it back.  The majority have purchased the case.  I've had only one case (not the gun, only the case) damaged in shipment, and UPS paid for that one.

[smshea]

Thanks guys, That's what I needed to know. Iv' been using a wooden case like the one pictured but have been thinking about getting a metal case and just getting a bigger deposit. I pray my way through the shipping process.

[g.pennell]

The Kalispell cases are very good...but NOT "UPS proof".  A friend ordered a custom Highwall from Meacham in Idaho, several years ago.  Pretty, expensive, rifle...shipped to him in a Kalispell aluminum guncase.  He heard his doorbell ring, heard a "thump", and just caught the driver before he had left the driveway, after tossing his rifle case up onto the stoop of his suburban Chicago home.  The case was bent in a shallow "U", with  tire tracks across the middle...he said it looked as if they had laid the case on a curb, and drove a forklift over it repeatedly.  He refused to accept the shipment and made the driver take the case back, and Meacham's called him in a few days to say the gun had to be completely replaced, because UPS managed to not only break the stock, but broke the tangs from the receiver as well.

I MAIL my guns, US Mail, Registered.  Never a problem...(knock on wood!).

Greg

[Birddog6]

 It all boils down to the Person    doing the delivering & how well they do their job.    I have  MUCH better luck with UPS than USPS.

[Dennis Glazener]

It all boils down to the Person doing the delivering & how well they do their job. I have  MUCH better luck with UPS than USPS.

Glad to hear that you have! UPS has damaged 3 of my shipments and I don't think any of them were damaged by the local driver. I can understand anyone having damages what destroyed my dealings with UPS is getting paid for a damage claim! The one that I did file a claim on took me about 6 months to finally get paid. I believe if I had not threatened them with a law suit I probably would still be waiting! The other 2 were minor and I just fixed the damage myself and didn't file a claim.

USPS may give as much problem with claims, I don't know since I only had one stock to be damaged, the toe was broken on an unfinished stock and I glued it back with no problem. Probably was not packed well enough ao protect from being dropped on end of package.

I am not a fan of USPS but their package delivery has been great.
Dennis

[bama]

I have started doing what Jim Chambers said. I have been getting my cases from Cabelas. They run about $130 plus tax. I ship the case in the box it comes in and that save a lot of hassel. Most of the time the person receiving the rifle buys the case. So there is no return cost. The Cabelas catalog order number is 02773126.

[California Kid]

Bama, would that case be airline proof? I understand the corners are plastic if its the same one I saw on-line. The price is right. I need one but can't afford $340 for a Kalispel. I wonder if it would do the job. Would like to go to Dixons or CLA this year.

[Jim Chambers]

Having dealt with both UPS and USPS for years, I'm firmly convinced that either one could destroy and anvil packed in a 10 x 10 foot metal cargo container.  Collecting insurance from either is a real chore at best, and often impossible.  My best advice is to pack in the best case you can find, send it next day or second day to give them less time to destroy it, and pray.

[Joey R]

AMEN!!!