I have done this several times when flying or driving to a hunt destination. My soft cases have a pocket, so I also take the bolt out and put it in the pocket. Works with 2 rifles in my big case. If there is extra room I will add other hunting items in a small stuff sack like my knife, compass, vest, hat, and other things I don't want in my luggage and don't need until I am ready to hunt.Why cut it? It then limits you to using the case only for that rifle. I take one of the thicker layers of foam out, put the rifle in a soft case and sandwich the soft cased rifle or shotgun between the two remaining layers of foam. On arrival at my destination I can ditch the clumsy big hard travel case and use the soft case. Doing so I haven't eaten up precious cube toting the soft case along as separate piece of cargo.