Double rifle airline case

[SFRanger7GP]

I have pretty much owned all the cases and my favorites are the SKB case or the Americase. I use an Americase for my breakdown rifles and shotguns. My prefered method of carry is inside a drop bottom rolling duffle bag.

Safe travels and good hunting.

 

[JPmbogo]

By way of an update, Americase is no longer producing gun cases. I spoke with them by phone today and they have some limited inventory and when that is gone, no more.

 

[Rubberhead]

If a rifle is easily broken down, is there any advantages to keeping it together and traveling with a full-sized travel case? Ie, do rifles travel better if left as one piece inside of a 50" hard case compared to breaking them down inside of a 38" hard case?

 

[crs]

Tuffpak worked twice for me, but I travel light.

 

[JPmbogo]

Takedown cases as a rule do not attract the same attention as a full gun case. However, I am not sure I would take the stock off a magazine rifle to fit in a shorter case. That said, on my last trip to Africa (granted a few years ago), I took a take-down 375 H&H by HS Precision. The "kit" included two scopes with QD mounts. It all fit into a case supplied by HS and looked like a ordinary suitcase. I remember the Customs officer in JoBerg remarking that he had never seen anything like it. I also have a break action Merkel s/s in 7.65R which is very compact and fits neatly in a small, unobtrusive case.

 

[Rubberhead]

Thanks @JPmbogo - it's a break action gun that's easy to separate into two and, more importantly, snap back together.

 

[Philip Glass]

If a rifle is easily broken down, is there any advantages to keeping it together and traveling with a full-sized travel case? Ie, do rifles travel better if left as one piece inside of a 50" hard case compared to breaking them down inside of a 38" hard case?

I’ve done it both ways. There is little advantage to using a smaller case as you are allowed two bags at 50 pounds each on most flights. You can use some of the room in the double rifle case for other things.

 

[Philip Glass]

Takedown cases as a rule do not attract the same attention as a full gun case. However, I am not sure I would take the stock off a magazine rifle to fit in a shorter case. That said, on my last trip to Africa (granted a few years ago), I took a take-down 375 H&H by HS Precision. The "kit" included two scopes with QD mounts. It all fit into a case supplied by HS and looked like a ordinary suitcase. I remember the Customs officer in JoBerg remarking that he had never seen anything like it. I also have a break action Merkel s/s in 7.65R which is very compact and fits neatly in a small, unobtrusive case.

We have a recent hunt report on AH where taking a regular stocked rifle apart for travel causd all kinds of accuracy problems. I agree it’s a bad idea unless it is made to take down.
PG

 

[Woodcarver]

We have a recent hunt report on AH where taking a regular stocked rifle apart for travel causd all kinds of accuracy problems. I agree it’s a bad idea unless it is made to take down.
PG

That seems odd. I take my bolt guns out of the stock routinely for cleaning and have not suffered any ill effect on their accuracy. If the bedding is inlet properly, and the reassembly done correctly, the alignment of the action and barrel shouldn't change. No different than the QD mounts used routinely for scopes.
The advantage for the smaller case would be staying under the size limit airlines have imposed of 62" (L+W+H). Not just weight has to be considered to avoid the exorbitant baggage fees.

 

[Hogpatrol]

That seems odd. I take my bolt guns out of the stock routinely for cleaning and have not suffered any ill effect on their accuracy. If the bedding is inlet properly, and the reassembly done correctly, the alignment of the action and barrel shouldn't change. No different than the QD mounts used routinely for scopes.
The advantage for the smaller case would be staying under the size limit airlines have imposed of 62" (L+W+H). Not just weight has to be considered to avoid the exorbitant baggage fees.

@Woodcarver, agree. I do it all the time and I'm back on zero the first or second shot.

 

[TucsonFX4]

That seems odd. I take my bolt guns out of the stock routinely for cleaning and have not suffered any ill effect on their accuracy. If the bedding is inlet properly, and the reassembly done correctly, the alignment of the action and barrel shouldn't change. No different than the QD mounts used routinely for scopes.
The advantage for the smaller case would be staying under the size limit airlines have imposed of 62" (L+W+H). Not just weight has to be considered to avoid the exorbitant baggage fees.

How often are the airlines checking these dimensions? It seems rather difficult to find a reasonable gun case within these totals. Tuffcase doesn’t advertise their outside dimensions (that I can find), but it seems likely they are notably bigger than their model number suggests. Particularly the width, which they say is the narrowest interior dimension under the handles.

I don’t own any breakdown type rifles, so at most I would be separating the stock from the action and barrel. Without separating them, it would be nearly impossible to come in under 62” total.

 

[Badjer]

Have only flown 7 or 8 times with guns. Originally bought the SKB -4 rifle case. I've had a broken handle that I replaced and a busted up corner from TSA obviously dropping the case.
I now own Pelican...

 

[Hogpatrol]

How often are the airlines checking these dimensions? It seems rather difficult to find a reasonable gun case within these totals. Tuffcase doesn’t advertise their outside dimensions (that I can find), but it seems likely they are notably bigger than their model number suggests. Particularly the width, which they say is the narrowest interior dimension under the handles.

I don’t own any breakdown type rifles, so at most I would be separating the stock from the action and barrel. Without separating them, it would be nearly impossible to come in under 62” total.

Many times with rifle cases, never had a size check, only weight.

 

[Gordonuk]

All of the above experts are fine. But it’s what the airline require.
British airways requires the ammo must be in a locked MATAL box.
So a pelican ammo box can be rejected
Check with the airline

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

All of the above experts are fine. But it’s what the airline require.
British airways requires the ammo must be in a locked MATAL box.
So a pelican ammo box can be rejected
Check with the airline

@Gordonuk, not sure what exactly MATAL is. Is it related to aluminium?

According the the BA website, I don't see the restriction you are alluding to

https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions#firearms

Limits and charges​

• There is a limit of 5kg (11lb) of ammunition (cartridges for weapons) per person (IATA Division 1.4S; UN numbers 0012 and 0014). This is for that person’s own use only and excludes ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles.
• Each bag or case containing firearms or ammunition is subject to a £125 charge each way, payable at check-in, plus applicable local service fees to cover the cost of our specialist firearms and ammunition handling partner.
• If you take more or heavier bags than your checked baggage allowance, you will need to pay an extra charge.

How to pack your firearms and ammunition​

• Pack your firearms and ammunition in an appropriate carriage case, or if this is not possible, securely inside your checked bag with your personal belongings (except to/from South Africa and Italy, and from Romania – see next point).
• If you're travelling to/from South Africa or Italy, or from Romania, check in your firearms and ammunition in separate locked cases, aside from the checked bag with your personal belongings. In this instance, you will not be charged an extra baggage fee for the separate ammunition case, if you exceed your free baggage allowance.
• If you're travelling to/from the US, visit the TSA website for full details on transporting firearms and ammunition.
• You cannot combine ammunition allowances for more than one person into one or more bags.
• Ammunition needs to be in either its original packaging or a suitable container that prevents movement between shells or cartridges (loose ammunition is not permitted).
• Make sure that firearms are unloaded and each firearm is accompanied by the appropriate certificate.
• Do not use 'explosives' labels on bags with ammunition.

 

[Rem700stw]

Look at the NANUK 985 takedown case. The insert works perfectly for 2 barrel sets. When using for a double with one set of barrels I pull the pre cut insert and place the rifle in a boyt harness takedown canvas case and place it in the NANUK. The boyt case comes in handy for use in the field.

No case is indestructible. On the return trip from my first safari my pelican case arrived with the end broken completely out and the barrel of my rifle protruding. Fortunately the barrel was unharmed.

I have used a soft canvas case inside a hard case since. I have had good luck that way and the soft case is great in the land cruiser.

 

[Woodcarver]

How often are the airlines checking these dimensions? It seems rather difficult to find a reasonable gun case within these totals. Tuffcase doesn’t advertise their outside dimensions (that I can find), but it seems likely they are notably bigger than their model number suggests. Particularly the width, which they say is the narrowest interior dimension under the handles.

I don’t own any breakdown type rifles, so at most I would be separating the stock from the action and barrel. Without separating them, it would be nearly impossible to come in under 62” total.

I found a single rifle case that might hold 2 rifles w/o scopes that was at 61", but now I can't find it to give the link.

Many times with rifle cases, never had a size check, only weight.

I had one measured many years ago, but the dimensions allowed were more. It was either 64" or 66" total back then as I recall (late 90s). And that ticket agent, in Seattle, definitely had an attitude towards firearms which might be why she measured it. There are several cases that are under 64" total.

Isn't one of the perks for business class a 70# weight limit? I think it enlarges the overall dimensions allowed as well. I flew with a golf bag in the past that definitely exceeded 62" total and wasn't charged oversize/weight fees.

 

[Hogpatrol]

How often are the airlines checking these dimensions? It seems rather difficult to find a reasonable gun case within these totals. Tuffcase doesn’t advertise their outside dimensions (that I can find), but it seems likely they are notably bigger than their model number suggests. Particularly the width, which they say is the narrowest interior dimension under the handles.

I don’t own any breakdown type rifles, so at most I would be separating the stock from the action and barrel. Without separating them, it would be nearly impossible to come in under 62” total.

My 28 Nosler is 49" with a 3" brake in a Boyd's AT One stock fits in an SKB 5009 two rifle case with an
inside dimension is 50", outside is 57", five inches under various airline limits.

 

[Woodcarver]

My 28 Nosler is 49" with a 3" brake in a Boyd's AT One stock fits in an SKB 5009 two rifle case with an
inside dimension is 50", outside is 57", five inches under various airline limits.

The SKB 5009 is a little over 77" total according to SKB. Unless they are being generous, that case would generate additional baggage charges.

It does sound like some have gotten through without excess charges by keeping the weight under 50#, but the overall dimensions are another thing that can trigger charges.

 

[BeeMaa]

My 28 Nosler is 49" with a 3" brake in a Boyd's AT One stock fits in an SKB 5009 two rifle case with an
inside dimension is 50", outside is 57", five inches under various airline limits.

The airline limit of 62" is the addition of length + width + height...and that goes for any checked luggage. Otherwise it's considered "freight" and subject to additional fees.

Notice how I skipped right over the fact that you have a brake on a 28NOS...