Hard case for transporting rifles

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29-03-2019, 02:55 PM
The Claw

Hard case for transporting rifles

Thinking of buying something a bit nicer than the $60-$70 flimsy plastic cases with a couple of thin bits of foam in them to transport a rifle to and from matches etc.

Pelican seem to be the ultimate, but then you pay a lot for them. Anyone got something that's a bit cheaper than Pelican (I'm looking at the Storm 3300i or 1750 size - around $550) that they rate? Want to have either pluck foam, or ideally closed cell foam that I can cut to fit.

The one that I have come across that looks good is the Polyproof 1120i or 1308i, sold by www.fiasco.co.nz

Anything else out there to look at?

Cheers
29-03-2019, 03:22 PM
MSL

I had two 1750’s, brought for $300 and $280 second hand, sold them for the same money. They are pretty bloody good, hold two scoped rifles and are seriously tough. Overkill if you only need to transport one rifle though.
29-03-2019, 04:16 PM
Cordite

Try the non-gun option of electric guitar hard cases. $105 only, this case weighs 5kg.

Internal dimensions 104 cm Length, 33 cm Width, 8 cm Depth

with internal compartment for stuff. May need to alter a bit for gun, but stick music stickers all over it and you won't attract the wrong kind of attention to yourself.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-inst...ebf8204deb1d1a
29-03-2019, 04:16 PM
hotsoup

And I bought one of MSLs ones, love it. Throw it off a cliff and it'd be sweet
29-03-2019, 04:30 PM
gadgetman

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cordite

Try the non-gun option of electric guitar hard cases. $105 only, this case weighs 5kg.

Internal dimensions 104 cm Length, 33 cm Width, 8 cm Depth

with internal compartment for stuff. May need to alter a bit for gun, but stick music stickers all over it and you won't attract the wrong kind of attention to yourself.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-inst...ebf8204deb1d1a

I was thinking keyboard case. Bit chunky though.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-inst...2004851647.htm
29-03-2019, 05:03 PM
Cordite

Here is a soft guitar case which is long enough internally to even take a SMLE. Shoulder straps, decent carry handles.

It is actually an electric bass guitar case. $55 gets you better construction, and 20mm padding compared to the usual 5mm padding in the $10 cases.

Internal Dimensions :- 120cm Long, 38cm Wide, 8.5cm Deep (as it's a bag these sizes are approximate).

https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-inst...d54bc102fee763
29-03-2019, 05:45 PM
Simon

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Claw

Thinking of buying something a bit nicer than the $60-$70 flimsy plastic cases with a couple of thin bits of foam in them to transport a rifle to and from matches etc.

Pelican seem to be the ultimate, but then you pay a lot for them. Anyone got something that's a bit cheaper than Pelican (I'm looking at the Storm 3300i or 1750 size - around $550) that they rate? Want to have either pluck foam, or ideally closed cell foam that I can cut to fit.

The one that I have come across that looks good is the Polyproof 1120i or 1308i, sold by www.fiasco.co.nz

Anything else out there to look at?

Cheers

I have the 1750.
Expensive but very good.
Can take 2 normal sized scoped rifles or one large scopes target type rifle.

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29-03-2019, 09:43 PM
The Claw

Thanks for the suggestions. Seems like the Pelican might be worth the (2nd hand) money. Anyone (@MSL) thats had a pelican case compared it to the cheaper options? If so, what's your thoughts? Cheers

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29-03-2019, 09:43 PM
ZQLewis

I brought closed cell foam from para rubber and replaced all the pluckable foam. Holds 2 rifles with less morement.
29-03-2019, 09:46 PM
The Claw

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

I brought closed cell foam from para rubber and replaced all the pluckable foam. Holds 2 rifles with less morement.

What case do you have? That's probably what I'd do. Get a couple pieces of foam for different rifles

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29-03-2019, 09:50 PM
MB

https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/t...ase&lang=en_NZ
29-03-2019, 10:15 PM
199p

Greg makes some fine wooden cases

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29-03-2019, 10:18 PM
The Claw

Quote:

Originally Posted by 199p

Greg makes some fine wooden cases

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Greg?

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29-03-2019, 10:19 PM
199p

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Claw

Greg?

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Kiwigreg

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29-03-2019, 10:22 PM
systolic

Some of those Pelican type cases are fuckin' heavy. Like 12 kg heavy for a Pelican 1750. Empty!

Something to consider if you're flying with them or even just taking a couple of guns to the range.

A cheap hard case, with an additional layer of closed cell sleeping mat foam between the plastic sides and the soft foam, should give more than enough protection.
29-03-2019, 10:31 PM
ebf

Pelican is the way to go. Buy once, cry once... A good 2nd hand deal comes up on here every couple of months. Airline baggage limit is generally 23kg, I've had several rifles in my pelican case and it did not go over the limit.

The best thing you can do for the cheaper plastic cases is to upgrade the internal foam to a very high density version.

Para Rubber is where I normally get the spare foam.
30-03-2019, 04:05 AM
timattalon

Quote:

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I was thinking keyboard case. Bit chunky though.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/music-inst...2004851647.htm

I have used similar cases for other gear (lighting equipment many jobs ago...) and they are not light. It has wheels for a reason....Definitely well protected
30-03-2019, 08:11 AM
Ultimitsu

i have a steel case, a pelican, and a cheap plano. the pelican can take 3 rifles so I use that when I bring 3 rifles with me, it is also very sturdy that i use it as a shooting rest. I like it over thr steel case because i worry that steel case would get rust if exposed to the elements
30-03-2019, 10:01 AM
uk_exile

1-day https://www.1-day.co.nz/products/tsu...ual-gun-case-1 or https://www.1-day.co.nz/products/tsu...gle-gun-case-1
I was surpised. They are not flimsy.Sure, not pelican case drive over it strong but plenty strong enough & better than the gun shop $130-$200 cases.
Look here for more info https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....le-case-48371/
30-03-2019, 05:02 PM
Proudkiwi

One thing to keep in mind with the 1750’s Sam is they only JUST fit across the back seat of a lot of cars if the boot/Ute tray is full.

In saying that, theyre light years ahead of the junky cheaper ones but could arguably be considered overkill for a lot of situations.
30-03-2019, 05:34 PM
BRADS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proudkiwi

One thing to keep in mind with the 1750’s Sam is they only JUST fit across the back seat of a lot of cars if the boot/Ute tray is full.

In saying that, theyre light years ahead of the junky cheaper ones but could arguably be considered overkill for a lot of situations.

Yeah the 1750 just fits in the Ranger...not in hilux
Have you considered the Skb cases imo there as good as the pelican and storms I've had

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30-03-2019, 09:22 PM
The Claw

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRADS

Yeah the 1750 just fits in the Ranger...not in hilux
Have you considered the Skb cases imo there as good as the pelican and storms I've had

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I might be able to sneak into the size down from the 1750 if I reduce the length of pull or remove the recoil pad before packing the rifle in the case. It only takes 5 seconds to do so not an issue to end up with a shorter rifle if I can drop a case size. I'll have a look at the SKB cases too. Cheers

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30-03-2019, 09:33 PM
Proudkiwi

If you decide to go with the 1750 let me know mate. Pretty sure I’ve got one laying around I dont use anymore. Pretty sure.
30-03-2019, 09:35 PM
The Claw

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proudkiwi

If you decide to go with the 1750 let me know mate. Pretty sure I’ve got one laying around I dont use anymore. Pretty sure.

Cheers mate, I might be in touch

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31-03-2019, 04:57 AM
norsk

Zarges makes very good cases that you can fill with your own foam.
Being alloy they are lighter than the Peli cases
31-03-2019, 10:11 AM
Beetroot

How do folk cut the foam all nicely in there hard cases?
Ive heard of different ways of doing it, but they all ultimately look like crap.
31-03-2019, 10:14 AM
The Claw

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beetroot

How do folk cut the foam all nicely in there hard cases?
Ive heard of different ways of doing it, but they all ultimately look like crap.

Someone had a thread on here just a week or 2 ago about it I think. Or maybe it was on another US forum... I can't exactly remember.

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31-03-2019, 12:11 PM
canross

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beetroot

How do folk cut the foam all nicely in there hard cases?
Ive heard of different ways of doing it, but they all ultimately look like crap.

You can make a hot wire cutter using a battery and fine stainless wire pretty easily. I personally wouldn't make a mains-power one unless I knew what I was doing (I don't). If you want it to last a bit longer gut an old toaster for the element wire - it's built to handle the heat. Had a big mains power guillotine style one (built by someone else) for doing hard foam insulation that was fantastic. Worked off a dimmer switch to control temperature and was made out of plywood and plumbing pipe. I suspect it was actually made from a toaster from the parts I could see. Ended up making the smaller hand cutter to cut the insulation to fit around oddball shapes like outlets, studs etc.
Edit - I stand corrected... mains power looks pretty easy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCbEeW_n7OU

On that note - where do people get their foam from? Para Rubber's prices suggest their foam is made from unicorns and pure platinum. There has to be a wholesaler or marine supply that does it for cheaper.