Rigid gun case--metal or plastic?

[SidecarFlip]

Nor sure where to stick this....

I'm wanting to upgrade to at least one Airline approved long gun case that will fit my 338 Savage and the 308 at the same time.

I'm looking at a Pelican 17 series but I see there are others and I need some opinions as to design and longevity as none are cheap by any means.

I also see you have many insert (foam) options and I watched a video of the foam being cut with an electric carving knife, seems a bit crude to me in as much as the Pelican lists for 400 bucks.....

I'm used to storing my guns in fabric gun cases, so a hard case is something new to me.

Opinions and input would be appreciated. I believe in learning from the experience of others.

 

[C.O. Shooter]

I'm a huge fan of the Pelican 1750! The case is very durable and there customer service is great. I will be purchasing another for my new baby being built. What is the overall length of you rifle? The inside of the 1750 is 50" so you might want have enough clearance/protection on each end. The 1750 can be had for about 200$ with foam. The 1770 is the next model up which I want to say has an interior dimension of 53-54" but is about 375$ with foam.

If you buy replacement foam from pelican it is about 120$, however, I have seen it elsewhere for about 80$.

Cutting the foam with an electric knife works great. Outline what you want in there with chalk and cut inside the lines about a 1/4". It works great and secure.

Good luck

 

[SidecarFlip]

I have to go with the 1770, 50" is just a tad too short for a 11-111 LRH and way too long for the 11 Lightweight 308.

Of course I was wondering about the foam cutting procedure, but if it works, so be it. I'll have to buy an electric carving knife or 'borrow' one for the ocassion.

Ars there any other alternatives to the Pelican? I see Plano makes an airline approved case and there are some aluminum ones out there, but I'm leaning toward a Pelican because it 'looks' very well built, injection moulded I mean.....

I'm presuming it's heavy in weight, even empty so it does have substantial wheels and handles?

Finally, what type of locks do I need for commercial airline travel? Is there some particular brand or style that the airlines want?

I want as little issues as possible and I want my guns to travel in the plane's belly without mishap.

 

[C.O. Shooter]

I'm a huge fan of the lifetime warranty of pelican! My case had a fin on the bottom which got snapped off which is purely cosmetic but pelican was willing to replace the whole thing!

You will need tsa approved locks which you can get anywhere! The will say tsa approved on the package! Prior to fligh the tSA will inspect the contents, you lock it, then zip tie it! I have done this the last three times I have flown with the rifle with no problems

Yes the case and rifle is a bit huskey.

The knife can be had for about 10$

 

[Outlaw6.0]

As I sit here looking at the 2 models I have sitting in front of me...

Pelican makes a fantastic case, very durable & air tight. Pretty much unbeatable when coupled with their warranty. Roll with the Pelican, you won't be disappointed.

 

[SidecarFlip]

We are booked for Corunna, New Mexico in November for Mule Deer on 2 ranches.

Here's the rub, so to speak.

We may drive out because we can take a company pickup truck but we have to cover the fuel and it gets 17 mpg, it's a diesel 4 wheel drive chevy 4 door or we can fly commercial to Rosewell and rent a vehicle.

The method of travel isn't up to me and one of the party, there are 4 of us, will fly no matter what. He's in the propane gas business and November is his busy time running his fleet of trucks.

I want to be covered both ways and the guns secured. In as much as I've never flown commercial with guns (private plane is anything goes...lol), do you have to trigger lock the rifles in the case as well and I presume the ammo has to be seperate, as in a seperate bag. Is that correct??

The large sized Pelican is over the top in price. I don't believe my Savage 11-111 LRH will fit in the 1770 case becaus the overall length from butt to end of barrel is just a tad over 50". It's going as well as the Savage 11 Lightweight 306 hunter, which is a lot shorter.

This is all new to me. I'm used to hunting on our land in Northern Michigan. You put your guns on the backseat and drive up.

I don't want to get to the airport and have issues.

Again, any and all advice is appreciated. I'm treading uncharted waters, for me.