Hard case for air travel
- Thread starter ForgeValley
- Start date
As someone who flies a lot, most times with expensive things that go bang, I trust pelican with my rifles. Even the bag gorillas have to try really hard to damage those. I kinda look at quality cases like cheap insurance. Sure there are other, cheaper options than pelican, but if your case takes a header off of the bag cart doing 20mph, the airline may cut you a check for a damaged rifle but I’d rather not deal with that headache. Even the best case can’t save you from having them send it Cleveland.... while you’re in Florida though.
Pelican. Bought one; flew with it; looked like they drug it across the tarmac. Shot the rifle and the zero was good to go.
https://www.peakcase.com/
I picked up one of these at the Dog Valley NRL match. It is phenomenal!! I see my self running these from here out. The custom cutouts are great.
I picked up one of these at the Dog Valley NRL match. It is phenomenal!! I see my self running these from here out. The custom cutouts are great.
Nanuk. Latches are way better than pelican cases. Check them out...
What he said. Nanuk 990 is my pick. Same robustness as Pelican with a little less weight also.
Not to pick nits, but what about the Pelican latches needs to be improved? They do what they're supposed to do and do not fail.
Pelican. And it goes without saying that you're not just protecting the expensive rifle but also the expensive hunting trip or match you're taking it to.
The custom cutting of the foam on the pelican is kind of a pita but insures the rifle won't shift and contact the walls of the case.
The custom cutting of the foam on the pelican is kind of a pita but insures the rifle won't shift and contact the walls of the case.
Pelican. Travel a lot for work (45-48 weeks a year) and about 25 times a year I have at least one firearm locked in a Pelican case with me when I travel. I have foru different sizes, 2 for pistols and 2 for rifles. Never once have I had any issues with any of them
Greg
Greg
Sounds like Pelican cases get the most votes. Anyone know the difference between the Vault line they are advertising and the regular pelican cases?
An @MinnesotaMulisha said no sense in spending all that $ on a rifle and cheaping out on the case. The Pelican 1750 carries my rifle when traveling.
Good choice with the Pelican. One way to avoid the latches ripping leg flesh is to close them. Just a thought.
Greg
I just ordered a 1750 and figure the case, rifle, and 100 rounds of ammo will weigh right at 50 pounds. When you fly to 2 day matches do you pack ammo in a separate checked bag? Does ammo have to be in a locked case or can you just pack it in your suitcase?
Depends on the airline.....read up on their rules, print them out, and carry a copy with you when traveling. Most US carriers allow you to carry the ammo in the hard case, in boxes specifically designed to carry ammo.
I can get my rifle, can, bipod and two hundred rounds in plastic boxes and hit 49 lbs with the locks on.
I can get my rifle, can, bipod and two hundred rounds in plastic boxes and hit 49 lbs with the locks on.
I’m hoping I’ll be able to get 200 rounds in and be under 50#s. Thanks for the reply.
I’ve been looking at the Pelican 1750. How much lighter is the equivalent SKB case?
Also, to anyone who has bought recently, where is the best place to get one? Amazon with free shipping or are there any great dealers who are a bit more obscure? Or is buying locally the best way?
Yes, there was no option on the foam. I bought from Amazon with free shipping.
I was all set to buy my 1750 from Amazon when my gun shop/range had a sale. The sale price was $15 more and when I mentioned the Amazon price, they matched it, so I walked out the door that day with it. Walking out the door saved the waited for delivery from Amazon.
Greg
https://www.pelicancasesforless.com/p-11453-pelican-1750-case.aspx
They are offering $30 off and free shipping.
I usually use one of my smaller pistol size Pelican cases for ammo and have it locked in my checked bag.
Greg
Read the airline rules when flying. When I flew to BC for a bear hunt the ammo needed to be in a separate bag than the gun. I always print off the TSA rules so I can show the airport staff that I need to lock the case and only I can have the key. SMH.
Pelican. I travel quite a bit for hunting trips and have seen many fellow hunters arrive with damaged firearms b/c they used inferior travel cases. Aside from the damage to rifle/optics (which can be replaced), the potential lost opportunity (your trip/hunt and vacation time) often can’t be replaced.
That is a really expensive combination. But I guess it works out well because once you get where you are going you already have your bag to move the rifle/gear in.
How does that weight compare to just foam? I see the Eberlestock 52” Sniper Sled Drag Bag weighs in at 7 lbs 9 oz. Do you empty the bag of everything first and load it up once you get to your destination or just not worry about it?
Everything in this hobby is expensive. The Nanuk is higher quality than anything else out on the market short of one solution I saw. It is better built and has far better latches and wheel assemblies. The drag bag approach is much more flexible than the foam. I change my accessories too often so foam just doesn't work for me. My bag is fully loaded and placed in the Nanuk. That is how I fly or travel.....no fuss or muss.
Once I get to where I am going, I take the bag out and go. It is far easier to move with the drag bag than the hard case.
Again, this is just my opinion, YMMV.
The Nanuk 995 + Eberlestock E2B combination
EDIT: No it doesn't. Sorry. Nanuk + bag is 29.1 pounds, Pelican w/ foam is 3.5 pounds lighter, at 25.6 pounds.
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Wish I could Greg but I keep the Nanuk in my storage space when Im not using it. I did manage to find a photo of the Eberlestock drag bag in a case. It isn't a Nanuk but the look is damn similar.
Hope it helps.
I recently was put in a position where i needed a rifle case to travel the next day. I purchased the Plano case with the pick n pluck foam. The case is black with yellow handles. 2 holes for pad locks in addition to the 2 cheap clasp locks.
It worked fine. It's lighter than the Pelican by a few pounds and cheaper too. The scuff marks on it tell me that the baggage handlers weren't too careful with it. Just be careful as the inside pick n pluck foam is open cell and will hold moisture. I plan on buying closed cell foam to replace it.
TSA regs state no more than 11 pounds of ammo.
It worked fine. It's lighter than the Pelican by a few pounds and cheaper too. The scuff marks on it tell me that the baggage handlers weren't too careful with it. Just be careful as the inside pick n pluck foam is open cell and will hold moisture. I plan on buying closed cell foam to replace it.
TSA regs state no more than 11 pounds of ammo.
Thx, helps a lot. My drag bag looks very much like the one in the photo inside the case so I'll see how it fits in my 1750.
Greg
I have the same bag, does it keep the rifle from getting tossed around inside the 1750?
