quote:

Originally posted by Mauser K98:
It seems most hunters go with the "Tuffpack" gun case.
For the last 6 years I have had a 2 rifle "Browning Travel Vault". Flown only in the USA. Taken it out west a couple of times and to Maine with a scoped Remington 700 and a Scoped Weatherby Mark V. Always arrived in great shape, no need for scope adjustments and always on the money.
Now a trip to Africa maybe a different story. If I ever get to Africa for a plains game hunt, I plan to take only the Mark V in this gun case. Is this gun case a good choice or not?
The only downside to this case is it is quite heavy. Would this come into play with your luggage weight allowance?
Thanks for any info.
Mauser K98

Back to the travel vault...

I've taken my travel vault over to Africa 3 times. I've never had it go over weight even with my scoped 375 and scoped Ruger 458 Lott both in there. I usually put my knife, small cleaning kit, ammo belt, etc in there as well. I also have cut outs for the bolts, so that I can remove them from the actions.

I put my ammo in another bag.

Mine has wheels and I've never had a problem gettign it around the airports.

Take it without concern.

BTW, I'd take two rifles. If one has an issue you'll have a backup that you're familar with.

-Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Pete E:
ErikD,

Very interesting picture, but one that could be perhaps a bit misleading?

The reason i say that is because I know that certain tracked armoured vehicles can have very low ground pressure..The British CVR (T) family for instance has less of a foot print than a typical infantry soldier which is why they are very good over soft ground...

Thats not a reflection on the quality of the Pelican case though..

I bought a similar case (A Storm IIRC) and the thing arrived broken when it was delivered by the courier people!

No idea what they did to it but it had a couple of large cracks near the hinges and the whole case was distorted to the point it wouldn't case properly...The company I bought it from replaced it ASAP and the second case was fine and survived a trip to RSA and back.

I do wonder what goes on behind the scenes though to damage gun cases and how much of that damage is deliberate?

Regards,

Pete

Pete,

You have a good point. But keep in mind that the relativly low ground pressure on any tracked vehicle (or wheel based vehicle with "oversized" or low pressure wheels) comes from the combined area in contact with the ground. So it you drive such a track or large wheel into a small pointed area for example, the ground pressue will naturally be raised much higher at that point. In otherwords, if the ground was lined with cases, the low ground pressure would apply in a far greater degree than what you see on the picture I posted.

Here's another track/case picture:


I'm not familiar with Storm cases, so can't comment on why you're was crap! But it certainly chouldn't have been as weak as you mention...

Just out of curiosity, I found this on the Starlight website:

quote:

STARLIGHT CASES â„¢


We have provided maximum protection for Law Enforcement, Military, and Special Forces Applications all over the world.

The following are requirements that had to be met when qualifying Starlight Cases with the military standard MIL-C-4150 for advanced applications:

1. Drop Test: The drop test was conducted with the cases conditioned from -65 degrees F to +165 degrees F and then dropped 40" onto a steel plate with 6" of cement backing. The cases were loaded with 20 lbs. of lead weight then dropped on every corner, edge, and face a total of 26 times. At no time did the cases show damage other than surface scratches.

2. Leak Test: This test is conducted in conjunction with the drop test. After passing the low and high temperature drop tests, the cases were subjected to a leak test in 160-degree F hot water. At this temperature the case will have 4 psi pressure inside. It was submerged for three minutes at this temperature with no leakage. Under normal temperature conditions, using our pressure equalization valve, the pressure inside the case is greater than the pressure outside. This insures no leakage. The U.S. Navy tested the SC-061016 to 100' in depth (40+psi) at the White Oak Weapon Station in Maryland and the case did not leak.

3. Weight Test: The same case was then subjected to a stack of cases that have weight in them so the combined weight on the bottom case exceeds 600 lbs. The case passed the test with no deformation of the case when the weight was removed.

4. Fungus Resistance: The case could not support or promote any fungus growth during a 28 day test where various spores of different variety were tested to determine if the case would support or produce any fungus growth. None occurred.

5. Environmental Requirements: The case was subject to a two week diurnal test in where the case was placed in a humid environment and the temperature was cycled to determine if any condensation would take place in the case. None occurred.

6. Rust Test: The spring loaded handles on the cases are zinc-plated ad then black oxidized so they will not rust. They have been certified to pass the 100-hour salt spray test. This is the equivalent to placing the handle in salt water for 10 years. No rust occurred.

And again I'll say that if it's good enough for use in various special forces, I'm pretty sure that it'll survive most baggage handlers.

I have not used a Starlight case myself, but I have used many Pelicases, and have seen them dropped out of helicopters from reasonable hights with no damage to the case or contents. I also know that they've been used on uncountable expeditions around the world under harsh conditions without failing. So I KNOW that they're able to protect my guns. And as I've understood, the Starlight case is at least as good as the Pelicase. Or perhaps better?

As Harry likes to mention, he had a little part of the plastic on a corner chip off his Pelicase once, but I still fail to see how that actually proves that the Tuffpack is better, or the Pelicase weak... I don't care if the case has scratches, chips knocked off, or is spraypainted for that sake by the baggage guys. As long as the structural integrity of the case is upheld. All I really care about is in what condition the contents arrive in. I firmly believe that a case lined with dense foam, which is specifically cut out to fit my guns, will protect them better than having them in a Tuffpack, where the protection inside depends on how good my soft case is, and how many layers of dirty underwear I've stuffed into the top and bottom!

I have no Dog in this "fight".
I have airplane traveled over the years with a Doscosil {sp], an aluminium case, a Pelican and a Tuff Pak. I have never had a problem with any of them.
I have seen an aluminium case with all of the lock/long bar broken off, and I have heard of the rifle bbl "sticking" out of several other cases when off loaded from the plane.

I did witness my Pelican case carrying an M1-A, a Benelli and 3 45 Colt 1911's fall off the conveyor belt to the concrete as it was being loaded on the Plane, it fell about 15 feet, the baggage handler was very rough with every piece of baggage he was loading on the belt.
I raised a stink and the airlines security director showed up. We went down to the tarmac and he had my Pelican removed from the plane. I opened it up and looked at the contents.
Every thing was OK and the case was reloaded on the plane.

The next time I flew with this airline the No2 security man met me, and we hand loaded my gun case on the plane.

The Pelican took a licking and kept on ticking.

However, I have used a Tuff Pak on 2 trips to Zimbabwe, one trip to Canada and one trip to LA.

I, and my wife will use the Tuff Pak on our next trip to Zim in Oct.

I hope your rifles will make the trip without incident.

I pack my doubles broken down.
I think you could drop them off the Empire State Building with out damage.

I have several cases I use depending on how where I'm going and the number and type of firearms I'm transporting. One of my favorites is the SKB 2-gun, bunk-house case.

It does have several faults -- the locks are basically crap and are easily knocked askew or even off entirely so I always carry a couple of spares that SKB provides at no charge. It is also unwieldly making it a pain at airports plus it's difficult to get in the average size car --- almost need an SUB or trick.

However, it is hell-for-stout as long as you can keep it closed (I tape over the locks with several layers after TSA finises the final inspection) in fact the case was originally designed to transport US Navy air-to-air missles from land out to the carriers and are stored on the carriers in these containers. Another positive feature is if I'm only taking one firearm there is a lot of space in the case for other things and this is where I put my high-value items --- binocs, extra scope, camera, etc. It's also very easy for TSA to inspect as the firearm is fully exposed when the lid is lifted.

I use one of my TuffPaks if I'm traveling with more than one firearm especially if the multiple firearms are shotguns which I usually ship broken-down into sections.

Having just one case for all travel just doesn't do it for me.

Erik D,
I think if you will re-read my post regarding the Pelican case you will also read that I said there was NO damage to my firearms in that case and that I thought there were many good cases.
Some ape did break off the corner of the Browning Travel Vault and I did mention it. Goes to show there is nothing made that some person can not screw up.
Now....what you and a maybe a few others fail to recognize for some reason is...Tuffpak is not just a gun case. If you want something with a foam fitted for firearms only interior then there are many that will fill the bill...and most have been mentioned here. I have used with success the Pelican / Browning and my old metal Cascade.
Someone bent the hell out of the over center latch on my Cascade and you have to hammer it open / closed with your shoe when you want in or out. Someone did break the corner off the Browning. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO FIREARMS IN EITHER CASE. Hopefully you heard that part. I have said it before in other post.
Tuffpak is a case... a big empty hole...what you choose to put in that big empty hole and how you put it in there is your choice. Firearms do seem to do well in there as well as other hunting and fishing gear if packed with a bit of care.
If you need fitted foam cases for firearms only ...most likely Tuffpak is not for you.
From the amount of sales that I make (I don't know what the factory sells nor other dealers) it would appear that many buyers wish to use Tuffpak for multiple use and from the posting here it works for them...that is for everyone except 500 grains.
Now...when you go by the various gun maker booths in Reno / Dallas etc...ask what case they brought their firearms in. Those makers such as Kreighoff, Merkel, Westley Richards, H&H, Purdey, Dakota, Browning, A&S, Empire, etc. etc. There is NO major firearms manuf. today that does not own nor travel in some sort of a Tuffpak case. They may use others too but most own / travel in multiple Tuffpak cases. One mentioned above has purchased 12 to date. Many have at least 5. I have also sold them to Leupold and Swarovski.
Why would those folks risk damage to guns they bring from Europe etc. to do show and tell at major hunting shows in the USA if the firearms got damaged?
Tuffpak is not just for firearms if you look at the ads it shows firearms and other "stuff".
If other "stuff" is not needed or important...please...go buy Starlightpelicancasecadeskbbrowningstorm with fitted this and that and enjoy.
If you want a Tuffpak I hope I may be of service.
Better tomorrows!