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I was thinking about getting a $350+ Tuffpak, when I saw this: http://www.austads.com/austads/product.asp?dept_id=&pf_id=10025761& TSA lock, hard shell, lots of interior room, wheels - hell, I know of many golf clubs that are a lot more fragile than my rifle. With proper packing (soft case, surrounded by clothing and jacket) I would think that this would serve as a pretty nice rifle case for travel to Africa. What do you guys think? More money in my pocket means more trophies!  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt | ||
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That exactly the case we took our rifles in in July to RSA, two rifles, some tshirts and two coats and our longgrass shootting sticks filled the case and it weighed 49 lbs. Worked great | |||
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http://www.skbcases.com/sports/support/warranty.html $199.99 at Cabela's - Less Elsewhere $144.99 Sale at Midway (new style w/TSA locks, part #2SKB-5009) 10 trips and counting. | |||
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The tuff paks are good cases (and folks here defend them like they were their children) but I just don't see the value at 3 or 4 x the price. People will argue...."yeah you'll see the value when your gun is damaged"...but I have never heard of anyone with a broken gun gun in an SKB case. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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I used a Tuff Pak on my trip to Africa last year, i had 470 double and 375 bolt, put clothes around the sides and top and bottom of case and you will have no problem. You can acutaly get most of your clothes in with your guns | |||
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Here we go again  OMG!-- my bow is "pull-push feed" - how dreadfully embarrasing!!!!! | |||
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I have an SKB case, but I would not fly to with it. The latches are just not strong enough. You can pop them open very easily. I have flown with several different rifle cases over the years. I trust the Tuffpak the most, followed by the Pelican. DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY | |||
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yes and you will be overweight and paying excess baggage charges both ways, at least if you load 2 guns plus very much clothing. make damn sure you weigh it before you get to the airport to avoid a nasty surprise!!! Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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I bought a golf bag carrier first, instead of the more expensive TuffPac. When I arrived at my hunting camp in Africa, I discovered that I had a two inch round hole in the bottom of the case where the barrel of my rifle and broken through ABS (or whatever the thing was made of). On the return trip, two of the three locks were broken off. I've been back to Africa (since I bought a TuffPac) 10 or so times with no problems. I modified the case to use a TSA lock this year. I flew to Tanzania this September with two doubles that cost as much as an SUV... and had complete peace of mind. JMHO. JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous. | |||
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I just made my sixth trip to South Africa using an SKB golf case. The only thing I did for security was put a couple of latches on the case so I could secure it with combingation locks. I have yet have a damaged rifle or scope. It has had it share of scratches etc. But, the locks are still good and it is much lighter than the tuffpak I purchased years ago and I seldom use it anymore because of the weight. It is matter of choice. Both will do the job. Brooks | |||
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I guess the thing that striked me between the SKB (or any "true" rifle case) is that they SCREAM "Rifle", plus you can't really get much more in them other than the rifle, MAYBE a softcase, and an extra scope and a few tools. Whereas the golf-case/Tuffpak you can get some very bulky (not necessarily heavy) items in it, like jackets, clothing, etc. Plus it looks like golf clubs and not a rifle. The golf-case in question I am looking at is about $120, weighs like 18 pounds, and has the TSA lock. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt | |||
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FWIW, I had a client arrive from the USA a few years ago who had an SKB rifle case and both his rifles had been deliberately saboutaged. I don't know if the bastard that did the damage popped the locks or if he got in another way -I'm told all SKB locks have the same key, but don't know if that's true...... but it caused us a few problems until I managed to fix the damage. | |||
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And is Tomato Red. Go for it!  | |||
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The problem is, I am not certain a TSA lock on a gun case is allowable. Maybe someone can correct me, but I think the regulations still require the case to be locked and the owner to hold the key. That is different than any other kind of luggage. The TSA lock would allow TSA to access your guns for inspection. For my money, I'd just as soon lock the case against TSA getting in as long as the regulations either require it or allow it as an option. Tuffpak is the answer. | |||
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LOL - yeah, it sure does stand out amongst the other cases. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt | |||
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I own and travel with a Kalispel gun case. I bought the take-down shotgun case, disassembling the rifle by removing the stock from the barreled action when I travel. I like the reduced dimensions and I like to think that separating the stock from the barreled action reduces the risk of damage. I also like the option of putting the lock that I want on the case, and these are rugged cases. Last year I flew from LAX to Dallas and then Houston to Paris with it and had zero problems with TSA. _________________________________ AR, where the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history become the nattering nabobs of negativisim. | |||
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Nope. Tuffpack is the only way to go (IMHO). No TSA locks either. You should be the only one able to unlock your gun case. Brian "If you can't go all out, don't go..." | |||
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I have hunted Africa 3 times and Alaska 6 times,British Columbia 2 times,on all trips I used my Tufpak and never had a worry. The airline gorilla's really do subject cases to some abuse but mine has held up fine.I even put golf stickers on my Tufpak.It will be going with me to the Alaskan pennisula in May and Africa in July.I know some hunters who have had luck with golf cases but why take the chance. Wesley | |||
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I wonder if anyone has every taken some tight, metal cord or straps, fastened them to 2-3 places and wrapped them around their cases, then locked them? A little extra insurance against the case popping open. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt | |||
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Bwanna and Allout are correct. Your rifle case should not have a TSA lock or TSA locks on it. You are the only one authorized by law to have a key to open that case. To do otherwise is to break the law. This was the subject of an earlier discussion this year on this forum. If in doubt, read the regs. I was called back to the Delta counter this year before my flight to allow them to look in my Tuffpak. I gave them the key, they looked, and returned the key to me. | |||
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UEG - I missed that thread, how was this determined? I do not have TSA locks on my current case. I would be surprised if SKB would put TSA locks on their new firearms cases if in fact this was not permitted/legal. Here are the current TSA reg's, I don't see anything specific to this but perhaps it is listed elsewhere, or you are referring to a specific carriers regulations(?): http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm Traveling with Special Items Firearms & Ammunition You may only transport firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in your checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage. There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Law enforcement officers should read our policies on traveling with guns. The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are: - You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process. - The firearm must be unloaded. - The firearm must be in a hard-sided container. - The container must be locked. We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can't contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft. - You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. - You can't use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard). - You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above. - You can't bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage. We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies. Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements. | |||
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They may have changed the rules, but the old publications indicated only the passenger should have the key or combination: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/wie/atac/publications/TSA%20T...rms%20on%20plane.pdf ------------------------------- Some Pictures from Namibia Some Pictures from Zimbabwe An Elephant Story | |||
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Hi BillC: I think that the regulations that you have quoted are very obvious and contain the answer #1: The hard side gun case must be locked. #2: If you are asked for access to your gun case YOU are to provide the key or the combination to TSA. Once they have inspected your case they will give YOU the key back. TSA is not to have a key to your gun case. If it was ok for TSA to obtain access to your gun case then there would be no need to contact you first as they are required to do. If they cannot get in touch with you for you to provide the key or combination, then the gun case does not fly. There was one airline that recently suggested that you put TSA locks on the same but that was a suggestion only and is not the law. Mark: With all due respect, placing TSA locks on your gun cases allows them to have unfettered access to your firearms and violates the law. The law has not changed. Who wants to chance up to a 10K fine and jail time? | |||
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Bwanna, I've used the TSA approved locks on all my baggage and gun case for the last 3 safaris with no problems. Particularly with the heavier duty locks from SAFE SKIES www.safeskies.com I think they are the only way to go with no worries about a possible lost key. It has come to my attention and rightly so that these locks may not be technically legal. I will continue to use them but I don't recommend that others do. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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UEG, thanks for that, I follow and from one perspective it adds up, but with total respect, it still sounds like this is your interpretation. I’d think TSA has keys, and means of opening locks (I have mine opened and got a second “TSA Noteâ€), and any commercial lock could have a duplicate and in fact some are universal and how would we know for sure that we are the only person to have a key, and TSA would want access, and that their statement does not preclude themselves, and that surely SKB would have researched and verified this before putting TSA locks on their new line of gun cases (I emailed them) and in fact probably did so because they thought it was a good idea for some educated reason, and why would Tuffpak’s website state “Now avaiable with TSA Locking System. Now the TSA has no excuse! Complete locking system with Heavy Duty 3 Digit Lock.â€, etc, etc. But, I don’t know for sure, this is just my interpretation. I thought there was something that I missed which explicitly stated that “TSA locks were not permitted†- but like most of what we deal with when it comes to African travel - perhaps it is ambiguous. Regards, Bill  | |||
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Thanks BillC for your take on it. If you look on the NRA-ILA 2007 website, it will also specifically tell you that you are the only one that is to have the key to the gun case. As to Tuffpak, well, Tuffpak can be used for a myriad of items, not just guns as you know, and maybe that's why you can now buy one with TSA approved locks on it. As to SKB, please let us know what they have to say. | |||
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Just a note on the SKB cases. We used them in the military and they traveled to Iraq and back with some expensive weaponry inside and made the trip in great shape. | |||
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On a side note - one of my clients had some big fluoro stickers made for his TuffCases "Fragile" "Surveyors Equipment" seems to do the trick... A day spent in the bush is a day added to your life Hunt Australia - Website Hunt Australia - Facebook Hunt Australia - TV | |||
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Here's the reply from SKB sent to me. Keep in mind that the regs do not require your gun locks on your gun cases to be TSA Compliant or TSA approved, like your other checked baggage. Thank you for getting in contact with us. Concerning your question regarding the TSA latches, when we at SKB instituted the TSA 002 Lock into our trigger latches, our product engineers meet with representatives of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that we meet compliance in regards to travel regulations. The latch locks were changed over to make travel easier on the customer and the TSA. The TSA requires that all baggage be accessible to TSA Screeners and/or Inspectors. To answer your question regarding traveling with long guns it is true that you must stay with your case until it is checked and signed off on. Then you are able to lock the case and retain the keys. Being that the locks are keyed for the TSA 002 key it is conceivable that access could be made into the case without your prior consent. If this is your concern latches can be made available to you at no charge that have a different tumbler assembly and not a TSA approved lock. Keep in mind that these locks will not be TSA compliant at that point. If there are any further concerns or questions please feel free to get in contact with us again. Regards, Chris Skahill | |||
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The current TSA reg's on their website - as posted above - support this. Nevertheless, I would print and take a copy along if I was flying w/TSA locks on my firearm case. And...check back as they can/do change. | |||
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Every year at least one client gets this idea and usually from someone who has never been on any extended trip, then the golf case breaks or cracks or gets a hole punched in it, then they have the added expense of buying two.. If its too good to be true, it probably is... I am one of those Tuff Case groupies, mostly because I have tried about a half dozen or so of the better gun cases before I settled on Tuff case, and that was a costly venture.. I bought my Tuff Case about 40 African trips and another 20 hunting trips ago of one kind or another and it looks like it did the day I bought it short of a rather tough skinned up hide on the outside, Hmmm, much like mine, but I made the same trips!!  I wouldn't go cheap on a gun case after spending a bundle on guns and a Safari, its a good investment I assure you. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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Does anyone think that 90% of the TSA staff on duty , including supervisors, have read the regulations? The TSA locks are a real word solution. | |||
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Crane, agreed! I remember the earlier discussion and as far as I can remember it was not decided. Here is the conundrum: If I do not have a TSA lock then the TSA can 1. break into the case (claiming that they tried to contact me and failed), verify the gun is inside (as the X-ray would show anyway) and ship the now unlocked case to heaven knows where. Or 2. Not break into the case and just don't ship it to it's destination. Neither of these options seems too good to me. The main problem is that there is NO accountability at the TSA. Having said that, I have asked repeatedly why does the TSA even need to break into or open a case that the X-Ray shows has a firearm inside. They know what it is for heavens sake! It is not masquerading as something else. The question really is: "Is the Austad golf case as stong as Tuffpak?" If it is, buy it and put Tuffpak out of business or force them to reduce their price. Remember Tuffpak has two mian selling points: It does not look like a gun case (helps prevent theft), and it is strong enough to prevent damage to the contents caused by rough handling. If the Austad case does both of these then why buy a Tuffpak? I own a Tuffpak BTW. There was also one reported incident where a double rifle suffered stock damage even when inside a Tuffpak and even when padded at the ends by clothes. Peter. Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong; | |||
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As an aside: An individual close to me is a senior police official at a major airport. He reports that he has more problems at gates with TSA's marginally qualified people than he has with passengers. He has had his people read the TSA regs so they have a familiarity with the requirements. Still, arguments continue. I think you can see why I'm being slightly vague on specifics. .395 Family Member DRSS, po' boy member Political correctness is nothing but liberal enforced censorship | |||
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I owned both brands. My consumer test was too jump on both. The Tuff Pak is much more protective. Sold the SKB. | |||
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They let you do that at the store? Namibiahunter  . | |||
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Well, I suppose this is why it may make sense to pay for as few flights as possible. Instead of going TPA to ATL, then to FRA and then to WDH, I can save money (though I'll have to travel a little more) to go to Orlando and take a direct flight to FRA then on to WDH. 2 less flights/transfers, which means two less chances for my stuff to get mangled/lost. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt | |||
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