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Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly #6793155 06/14/17 04:13 PM
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So I'm going on my first Moose hunt in Ontario this October and we're flying up there and driving back after the hunt... Hopefully with meat.

The flying leg of the journey will be my first time flying commercial with a rifle and I'll need an airline approved case to bring my rifle in, so for you guys that fly with guns what would you suggest for a case?..... Make, model, ect

Also if you could share any particulars to make flying with a rifle less problematic, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793161 06/14/17 04:15 PM
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I use a Boyt... Absolutely no problems with it at all


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793163 06/14/17 04:17 PM
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Pelican or Starlight, make sure to order one with wheels.

Pick the size to fit.

I have both and the Starlight is heavier duty and more durable.

Both are excellent quality, but Starlight is my first recommendation.


http://www.starlightcases.com


Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793165 06/14/17 04:20 PM
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+1 for Pelican


Originally Posted by Superduty
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793202 06/14/17 04:52 PM
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I have a Plano heavy duty case, and it's ok. The handle did break off after several trips, which I improvised a new handle. It's very durable for flying to protect the rifle.


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793206 06/14/17 04:55 PM
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Pelican - I think the 1720 is the one for rifles

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793213 06/14/17 05:00 PM
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Flying is probably going to be the easy part. Driving across the Canada/US border with a firearm can be dicey from stories I have heard. Check all the regs carefully. Then you need to do the same for any/all states on this side that you will drive through.

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793241 06/14/17 05:31 PM
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Make sure it has good locks. Years ago the airlines required the 'firearm' warning on the outside but that changed in approx. 1986 due to theft issues....double check that as the threat of terrorism threat may have put it back in play. P_102


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793253 06/14/17 05:39 PM
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I have a Tuffpak and like it greatly, but it's certainly not small or light weight. My second choice would probably be Pelican, just because I'm reasonably familiar with their product; I'll be sure to check out Starlight. +1 on the wheels.

Last edited by syncerus; 06/14/17 05:40 PM. Reason: more info

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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: TxHunter80] #6793302 06/14/17 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted By: TxHunter80
Pelican - I think the 1720 is the one for rifles


That's the one to get. Mine has held the rifle, and scope through all weather. Probably still has mud on it from riding on the back of my four wheeler in Colorado. Zero elements get inside. Pelican actually tests their o-rings by submerging the case in a tank of water for several minutes. They build high quality.

Then there's some people that see those selling for $200+, and complain about sticker shock. In my opinion $200 is cheap if it's holding $5000 worth of rifle and scope.


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793336 06/14/17 06:35 PM
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My advice is to get a Pelican; specifically one that will hold two rifles. The price difference between a single and double is minimal. Having the option of a second rifle, or additional gear, is worth it. Keep an eye on Cabelas and other retailers. They seem to go on sale every so often.

You will need to secure your ammo in a different container. I brought my ammo in my rifle case going to Alberta last year and was able to spend some "quality" time with the Canadian authorities. They were friendly and no harm came my way. They told me that in the future that I can just lock my ammo in a case and throw that in my checked baggage. While silly they told me the intent was that someone would have to steal two pieces of luggage to get the firearm and ammo. I wound up buying a smaller Pelican case to hold two boxes of ammo for future travel that involves flying. Another option is to buy the ammo once you get there; assuming you use commercial ammo and there is a place on the way.

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793664 06/15/17 12:32 AM
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Pelican all day everyday. Depending what you have you may want a 1750

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793670 06/15/17 12:38 AM
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Pelican is great, as stated by many. If you want an even sturdier case, the ones by Americase are fantastic. Sometimes they even have returned/as new for substantial discounts. Mine has survived a couple of trips to Sonora, MX and 4 trips to Africa.

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793682 06/15/17 12:53 AM
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I use a Cabelas heavy duty aluminum double rifle case with wheels and a handy little fold out shelf that holds my duffel bag in place. Acts like a dolly basically. It's a little on the heavy side but you don't really notice it rolling it.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6793985 06/15/17 12:52 PM
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Field and Stream 5 part "field test" by Dave Petzal gave the Pelican the highest marks by a long shot. Just what I needed - an excuse to spend another $270. hammer


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6794180 06/15/17 03:32 PM
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Pelican. Easy and always.


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6796435 06/18/17 01:26 AM
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I bought a Cabelas brand pelican style case. Came open on the flight, if I didn't have a belt around it, it would have scattered my guns. I wouldn't recommend.

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: Colt W. Knight] #6796633 06/18/17 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted By: Colt W. Knight
I bought a Cabelas brand pelican style case. Came open on the flight, if I didn't have a belt around it, it would have scattered my guns. I wouldn't recommend.


I was looking at one of these for my trip to Alaska in September. How did the case come open?


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: Colt W. Knight] #6796692 06/18/17 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted By: Colt W. Knight
I bought a Cabelas brand pelican style case. Came open on the flight, if I didn't have a belt around it, it would have scattered my guns. I wouldn't recommend.


How did you get by with not having keyed locks on it?


One thing that pushed me to the Boyt over some of the others was the metal latches vs the plastic on the others

Last edited by bphillips; 06/18/17 11:23 AM.

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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6796706 06/18/17 12:21 PM
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I also use a Pelican 1750. Has gone once to Africa and several trips within the US. It's going again with me to Africa next year.

Couple of items to note, you probably have heard these already, so sorry if this is repeat info.

1. No TSA locks, use real ones. Only person who should be able to get in is yourself. I keep some spares in the case in the event a TSA agent gets over zealous and cuts them off.
2. Locks must be on all lock holes. My Pelican case is older and has two lock holes. New ones I've seen have 4 and will need locks on each.
3. Declare you rifle when you check it in (i.e. Tell the counter clerk, "I have an unloaded firearm I will be checking in that I would like to declare."). If they know the regs, they will give you a piece of paper to fill out that either you will put into the case, or the TSA agent that checks your rifle will put into the case. TSA will take you off to some corner with your rifle case to "check" it (often times they have no idea how), then they will lock the case and send it on its way.
4. Have a copy of the airline's regulations handy (either in print or linked on your phone). The person checking you in, more than likely, has no idea of the regulations and will need some polite educating. Be patient and polite here. If you get a anti-hunting person telling you that you can't fly with a rifle, despite showing him/her the regulations on their website, politely ask for their supervisor.
5. As others have stated, ammo in a locked hard sided case inside your luggage. This is another area you may find some various interpretations of the regulations. Again, be flexible and patient.
6. Firearms are supposed to be unloaded in the over-sized luggage area of baggage claim. As is the theme, you will find all sorts of variations on how you get your rifle case. I have had a TSA agent check my ID and luggage ticket number before going into the back to retrieve my rifle case (one extreme) to having my rifle case just be thrown out on the conveyor, picked it up like any old luggage, and walked away (other extreme).
7. Avoid hunting stickers on your rifle case. Feel free to plaster it with something to help you identify it though (colored duct-tape, flags of countries you have visited, golf or guitar stickers, etc.). I've got some neon duct tape stripes on mine. Makes it easy to ID, sometimes can even see it getting loaded onto the plane.


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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6796711 06/18/17 12:24 PM
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Great synopsis.

I will add it's a good idea to hang around for 10-15 minutes after you check your rifle before you go through security (especially if you are NOT taken off in the little room with a TSA agent) just in case something comes up.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6796909 06/18/17 04:33 PM
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I use this Storm Case. I believe Pelican bought Storm, Expensive, heavy, has wheels, GREAT case !!




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Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: deewayne2003] #6796925 06/18/17 05:00 PM
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Latches didn't hold on my Cabelas pelican caseallowing the lid to shift sideways and go off the rails around the perimeter. It was locked with padlocks, but they don't keep the case locked down tight like some case latches with lock holes.

Last edited by Colt W. Knight; 06/18/17 05:02 PM.
Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: Colt W. Knight] #6796956 06/18/17 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: Colt W. Knight
Latches didn't hold on my Cabelas pelican caseallowing the lid to shift sideways and go off the rails around the perimeter. It was locked with padlocks, but they don't keep the case locked down tight like some case latches with lock holes.


Is it an actual Pelican case with a Cabela's name on it or a cheap knock off? I have never had an authentic Pelican case fail...even when over stuffed with kit. Had a wheel break once and the entire case was replaced in less than a week.


Originally Posted by Superduty
I am still looking for the perfect apron, one with reinforced knee areas would be perfect.

Re: Airline approved rifle case- Need help from you guys that fly [Re: The Dude Abides] #6796962 06/18/17 05:47 PM
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Seen more than one Pelican take a tumble. Heck a friend of mine was standing at the back of the truck with an open tailgate and drug three of them out letting the dolly wheel end crash to the ground. Zero damage to case or contents.

I've got two of their coolers as well. They're the best on the block.


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