Rifle case layout

[Ridgewalker]

So it's OK to pack things underneath the foam (slings, spare magazine, knife, etc)?

My two rifle setup is below - also a Pelican IM3300.

The plan is to leave the bolts in the rifles, but there is room to remove if required. Including the egg crate foam in the lid, and a very thin layer on the bottom, there are a total of four layers.

Some things OK, others not. Delta told me I had to remove my fleece cap, but the sling and extra scope and mount, knife, and rifle case were OK.
But, who knows what they’ve told others? It may be another one of those “whim of the employee” things. I have no clue.

 

[Bearbait1]

I have heard many times to keep bolts seperate while traveling or in storage because a thief would have to send the rifle to the factory to get a new one. Thieves would not want the rifle. Sounds logical but I doubt most thieves would know this and would take it anyways.

 

[Newboomer]

I take my bolts out, wrap them in a piece of bubble wrap and lay them between the rifles. The scopes stay mounted. My single and double cases are SKB Military Grade with eggcrate foam, no cutouts. My 375HH weighs 11 lbs and has never moved in the case. The eggcrate foam compresses so tight I almost have to step on the case to close it. They have some scuffs and scrapes from battles with baggage gorillas but no structural damage.

I advise against keys. Too easy to lose and locks too easy to pick. Go with good heavy Sesame combination locks and put one on each latch. Not a bad idea to stash an extra or two inside in case some idiot cuts them off.

 

[dailordasailor]

I always fly with bolt in. Hunted with other guy 2 times now who pulls bolt. Our experience at airport are exactly the same. If pulling bolt made it less hassle at airport I’d pull it no problem but...

 

[Newboomer]

I remove my bolts because the case is so tight it won't close with bolts in.

 

[Tra3]

I believe the foam is made to be cut out to reduce the chance of items shifting. This case has 4 barrels, 3 scopes, a suppressor and the extras. I tuck my sling under the foam along with a cleaning rod and a few other items. I leave the bolt in.

 

[autofire]

I have never had an airline comment about removing the bolt, but CBP in Atlanta has told me I am supposed to remove bolts. So I remove the bolts, put them in a sock and tie sock to my rifle. This helps to avoid any unnecessary discussions with CBP officers (who usually are fine, but even Mother Teresa could be having a bad day).

 

[shootist~]

Great ideas. A couple of extra locks I have. Putting anything loose and heavy in bubble wrap sounds like a plan.

 

[Newby]

I remove my bolts because the case is so tight it won't close with bolts in.

Me too. Plus, if left in, the bolt handle tends to push a patch of foam bigger that the bolt handle away from the rifle.

 

[Newby]

@Newboomer Thanks for the heads up on the sesame locks. They look better than any compact combo lock that I have been able to find to date.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have never had an airline comment about removing the bolt, but CBP in Atlanta has told me I am supposed to remove bolts. So I remove the bolts, put them in a sock and tie sock to my rifle. This helps to avoid any unnecessary discussions with CBP officers (who usually are fine, but even Mother Teresa could be having a bad day).

Incorrect. You do not have to remove the bolt from a rifle. But we all know we will one day run into “that guy”!
I do not cut foam but remove one layer and carry rifles in adrift case. You will need the soft case!
Good discussion.

 

[BeeMaa]

The reason I have removed a bolt is to make the rifle as flat as possible.
If the bolt is left in, there is a high spot.
The goal is to keep everything at the same depth.
This creates even pressure across everything.
In doing so, it helps prevent shifting of all of the items.

If you center the scope between the rifles and put the short length of the bolt handles pointing towards each other (on each side of the scope). I believe there will be a little more room to move the rifles towards the middle and still leave the bolts removed. And it would be more symmetrical and appealing to my Germanic roots.