Large Rifle Cases

[wulf]

G'day,

My new rifle configuration using a 32" barrel measures a little over 135cm (53.1"), which no longer fits into the rifle case. So far I failed to find a suitable rifle case that is airline approved. What do people use to transport their large rifles?

[macguru]

you can always unscrew the stock and it will fit in a much smaller case ... unless its glued in of course.

[AlanF]

http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1770

[bobeager]

I have a "Starlight" hard case and it is 52 inch max inside. Having an adjustable "in-out" butt plate helps as you can "shorten" the rifle an inch overall for transport.

[ecomeat]

This is a Pelican/Hardig Model 3300 case with a McMillan F Class stocked rifle.
It onl just fits my setup, and that is with the butt plate removed.
With a 31.5" barrel (sitting on top of the shorter one screwed in, but definitely in the right place).....you can see that there is only about 1/8", or 3mm clearance from the hard plastic case at both ends.


The Model 3300 is a damned heavy thing, weighing approx 13 kg empty. They keep popping up for around $300-$350.00
Hinterland Shooting Supplies on the Sunshine Coast used to fill them with top quality cleaning rods from the US for freighting the rods over, and then sell the cases off here, for that sort of money.
If mine wasnt a very accurate "glue in", i would definitely change it over to a much shorter version, and remove the barrelled action from the stock for airfreight. It barely fits in smaller rental cars

[DannyS]

Tony, even with a glue in(like mine), you could unscrew the barrel. And fit 2 barrels, plus stock and scope in a shorter case for airline travel. Could be that the longest item is the cleaning rod but we need to be careful about cleaning rods, don't we.
Cheers
Danny

[ecomeat]

but we need to be careful about cleaning rods, don't we.
Cheers
Danny

Get stuffed Sandford !! I have nearly grown up now, and won't make those mistakes anymore.
After dragging my monstrosity to Tasmania early last year for the NRAA Teams, and squeeeeeeezing it all into a shitty little rental car I did seriously consider doing as you suggested. But then you have got the hassle of a your barrel vice, action wrench and some spanners.
Jason Mayers very kindly traded me one of those beautiful Bald Eagle padded bags, and anywhere I can drive, it is my idea of perfect. Anywhere I fly in future, I guess I will put up with my 3300 Model, but now that I am older and wiser, I would certainly never go that way again, nor would I recommend it to anyone else. I had an Isuzu Dual Cab ute for two years, and the bloody Pelican case wouldn't fit on the back seat, wouldn't fit long ways in the back, and wouldn't fit sideways in the back.......so the only way it fitted was angled in the back. It made for very messy packing !

[DannyS]

Haha Tony.

I know what you mean about the pelican case, mine stays at home most of the time, depending on which vehicle I'm in, if it's the Forester or the Landrover, then I take the pelican, if it's the Kombi or the Beamer then I use a Plano Airglide.

Cheers
Danny

[wulf]

G'day,

many thanks for all your replies.

I've looked at the Pelican 1770 case, but had to sit down after seeing its price tag, even when purchased overseas.

The last thing I want to do is to take a rifle apart just so it will fit into a smaller case for transport, however, I will try removing the butt plate. which is easy to do.

Found a Plano 108191 rifle case measuring 51.5" inside, which may just fit the rifle without the butt plate. It looks sturdy in the pictures and comes with a reasonable price tag, but what is your opinion?

[DaveMc]

http://www.protactical.com.au/storage/p ... rifle-case

Wulf,
They are not a Pelican by any means but they take my rifle in padded bag in one whole piece and when I arrive I leave the case in the hotel room and go with the bag.

One added advantage is weight saved in aircraft luggage.

They are reasonably sturdy but not as indestructible as a Pelican.
If going to take barrelled action out of the stock I prefer to go down one size and try the protactical pelican copy.

http://www.protactical.com.au/storage/p ... 5cm-x-16cm
Fits much better across the backseat in the hire cars and is super sturdy.

Dave

[wulf]

G'day,

I ended up purchasing a Plano 109540 rifle case from OpticsPlanet.com - see here:

http://www.opticsplanet.com/plano-moldi ... 10954.html

At the time of purchase it was still US$186.99 + US65.84 shipment, a price none of the local suppliers were able to even come close to match. The best price in Oz was AU$660.

Attached is a picture showing the rifle and its accessories placed inside the case. The foam was cut using a cross hatch pattern and then plugged to create the cavities. It took some time, but I'm happy with the way it worked out. Hope this may help others that are looking for a large rifle case at an affordable price.

cheerio Berndt