Two Rifle Hard Case for Travel

[flyrodr]

Looking for a Pelican-like hard case that holds two scoped rifles and is lockable (for airline travel; for hauling in the back of the SUV, cabled to something solid & covered; etc.). Longest rifle is 41", and barely squeezes into a Pelican 1720, length-wise. The two rifles will fit into the 1720, but there's zero room for any padding around inside of case, or between the rifles.

The larger Pelican cases get longer, without getting wider (e.g., the 1750), until there's a big jump in all dimensions.

The local commercial "case place" carries Pelican and SKB (plus a bunch of custom-made cases (at "custom" prices). That place suggested that this SKB: https://www.skbcases.com/products/i-series-4719-8-case) should work, but didn't have one in stock. And if I special order one, and can't use it, it's returnable, but there's a restocking fee.

Before that, asking if anybody has a favorite case that would work, or has +/- thoughts on SKB cases generally? The SKB cases that were in stock looked pretty substantial, but never used one.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Default.mp3]

I have an SKB iSeries 3614-6 Case (https://www.skbcases.com/products/i-series-3614-6-case?variantID=3i-3614-6T-E). Used in conjunction with my SERT TCC 36" for when I have to fly with a rifle. Seems to have held up just fine through the years, no issues so far. Have also recently starting using a Pelican Air 1615 as my checked luggage bag (so I don't need a separate piece of luggage when traveling with a handgun), and have had a Pelican 1490 for years. The SKB does not seem to be any flimsier or anything, though the plastic does seem a bit softer, don't know if that's because my SKB is tan while my Pelicans are black, or if SKB's blend is just softer in general, though it doesn't seem to impact overall durability any, just gets fine scratches a bit easier.

Overall reviews of SKB versus Pelican (both Protector and Storm) seem favorable.

[DDTSGM]

I have this Cabellas case as well as the smaller Cabella's case for my SBR and carbines. I liked them just fine when I was using them for travel but I haven't done that in a while so now they live in the rafters of the garage.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-armor-xtreme-lite-double-long-gun-case Exterior: 53.5"x18.5"x 7 Interior 50.75 x 15

For comparison, the SKB case you linked showed exterior dimensions of 50 x 21 x 8.5

It is actually this case: https://www.boytharness.com/products/boyt-harness-company-h51-double-long-gun-case

From Cabella's Q&A:

Can I order replacement foam for my case?

Answer this Question

PA Gun Nut · 2 years ago
Cabelas does not sell replacement. You can get the correct replacement foam from Boyt Harness Company. You'll want the "H51" replacement foam for this double case. If you look, its the same case which shows how good a deal this Cabelas case is.


Good luck finding what you need!

[BobM]

I’ve been considering getting a Pelican Vault 730. It’s 44x16” inside. It’s Pelicans lower priced line, I think they are made in Mexico.

[Paul Blackburn]

Nanuk is the Canadian equivalent to pelican. Worth checking out their sizes too.

[flyrodr]

Overall reviews of SKB versus Pelican (both Protector and Storm) seem favorable.

The guy at the store agreed; the two are very similar in durability.


Good luck finding what you need!

Thanks


I’ve been considering getting a Pelican Vault 730. It’s 44x16” inside. It’s Pelicans lower priced line, I think they are made in Mexico.

Pretty much same thought as store. Was told the Vault was OK, but not up to the Protector level. Not waterproof. No lifetime warranty. Not stainless pins (I think that was correct). But a value priced option.

Thanks all.

[littlejerry]

Check your preferred airlines oversized baggage policy. Your case may incur significant fees both ways.

[BobM]

The guy at the store agreed; the two are very similar in durability.



Thanks



Pretty much same thought as store. Was told the Vault was OK, but not up to the Protector level. Not waterproof. No lifetime warranty. Not stainless pins (I think that was correct). But a value priced option.

Thanks all.

Well that’s a letdown, I’d prefer waterproof. Might have to spend the extra money

[masternave]

I'm still holding out for the magpul case. I know it's unobtanium at the moment, but it seems well designed and addresses some of the things I disliked about my pelican. https://magpul.com/gear/daka-organization/hard-cases.html

[BobM]

I'm still holding out for the magpul case. I know it's unobtanium at the moment, but it seems well designed and addresses some of the things I disliked about my pelican. https://magpul.com/gear/daka-organization/hard-cases.html

That does look good and competitively priced with the Pelicans. I’m in no hurry so I might wait on that

[Default.mp3]

I'm still holding out for the magpul case. I know it's unobtanium at the moment, but it seems well designed and addresses some of the things I disliked about my pelican. https://magpul.com/gear/daka-organization/hard-cases.htmlWhat do you dislike about your Pelicans that Magpul has addressed? Just curious is all.

[masternave]

What do you dislike about your Pelicans that Magpul has addressed? Just curious is all.

Pelicans are amazing… two small quibbles that I think Magpul thought through from the marketing images:


I think the case geometry will lend itself to not tipping while wheeling it around.
The latches look like they'd be easier to apply pressure to to get the solid lock/unlock.


But I'm kinda waiting on someone who isn't a youtube star to review one.

[EVP]

Before that, asking if anybody has a favorite case that would work, or has +/- thoughts on SKB cases generally? The SKB cases that were in stock looked pretty substantial, but never used one.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.


The SKB case that I have has been great. It has been beat up a little but keeps everything nice, safe, secure. The plastic does seem a little softer like someone mentioned but it does not impact durability just gets a little more dings and such. I like the latches as they are robust but also not a pain to operate. They are heavy and I usually will pack some other stuff in the case as well so I really like the wheels as they make transporting easier.

You cannot go wrong with either case just depends on some of the features/preference you want.




Edit to add: I don’t have issue with Magpul but I rather not have Magpul branded stuff, just saying.

[mmc45414]

The two rifles will fit into the 1720, but there's zero room for any padding around inside of case, or between the rifles.
Dunno if this will address your problem, but someone here ( I think it was Archer1440 ) suggested putting items in soft cases and putting them in the hard case, and I have successfully done that and it works well, IMO.


And if I special order one, and can't use it, it's returnable, but there's a restocking fee.
Also there might be good reasons to not like Amazon, but they will take a return on pretty much anything for any reason, frequently without shipping.
And for that matter Brownells will take anything back, but you might need to pay them the shipping.

[masternave]

The magpul case just came in stock for anyone interested and with cash: https://magpul.com/daka-hard-case-r44.html

[flyrodr]

Just got the SKB 3i-4719-DB case. Interior dimensions are 47"x19"x8". I talked to an SKB rep, who said that, depending upon the rifles' thicknesses, it was possible to put four rifles in the case (there's an intermediate layer of foam that would fit between the guns. I'm not sure about that (holding four), but there's plenty of room for two rifles, with scopes, which is what I was looking for.

107083

Tossed in the first two rifles in the case in the above photo. The longer one has a 21" barrel, so there's plenty of room. The stubby one is my .22LR plinker.

The sides of the case have "hardish" foam glued on, and the layers are the cone-shaped foam, so the guns can be placed in the case, and no foam cutting is required. The two long pieces of foam are included to put between guns.

It's perhaps a bit more flexible than a Pelican, or the flexibility might be just because of its size. Time will tell . . .

The size will probably throw it into the oversize category. I'll have to wait and see if the airlines impose any extra charges.

Regardless, it'll certainly work fine for road trips.