Tuff pack for me multiple trips to multiple locations.
Learned to pack light after first time having to empty contents at TSA. The bubble wrap is a great idea. I use foam. I am just trying to secure things so they are not loos inside the tuff pack and bouncing around. The new handle looks better than the old.
Whatever you get make sure it has wheels. It will be a benefit at some point. Not all airports have carts or short trips. I remember a time in Vancouver where it seemed like I had to walk over 1/2 mile to get to the next terminal.

One more vote for Tuff-pack. I have traveled with mine two or three trips a year for 6 years now, and no problems at all. Really like the ability to put some of my extra "stuff" in there for both extra padding, and it lightens the load in my other bag.

Great advice from all, even though I'm not the original poster...One more tip, buy a good handheld scale (used for weighing sportfish) and check weights of each piece of luggage. And take the scale along on your hunt, you'll inevitably buy extra goodies along the way and you can still be sure of 50# limit.

I also use a tuff-pack. However I use the take-down model. It weighs 12#. It's 33 inches long so you need to pack the barreled action and stock seperately. It is easy to slip the action in and out without unpacking the tuff-pack. 7 safari's and never have had to unpack it. It comes out with regular luggage quite often. I had a large tuff-pack and like this much better......Tom

I forgot to post some good tips from customers that stop by the booth.
One customer puts crutch tips on the end of each barrel and I put finger cots (the rubber tips you use on the end of your finger when counting money or turning pages) over my bolt knobs to prevent scratches or dings when traveling or in the gun safe.
One guy said he has a pc. of foam cut out that goes in last at the top where he puts the bolt from his rifle.

re:Tapper2's reply ( see post 2 above this one) of never having to unpack the takedown Tuffpack...Won't the customs people make you do so to check serial #, paperwork, etc.?

For years I used a Haliburton Zero aluminum rifle case and it is still going strong after a couple of repairs to the handle and a lock and the little stub feet. I think I paid $500, $600, or even more for it back int he 1980's. It sure seemed expensive then.

I also ordered and used the Hardigg high impact and sealed cases while working literally all over the world with very sensitive and expensive gear in them. As I said elsewhere, I carried these by every available means except space shuttle and submarine. I mean on horse, dugout canoe, rickshaw, hanging out of taxis, boats, helicopters , open trucks ........ so it will get the job done.

Today my preference is for the Americase for the guns. That safari case is a great 2 gun unit and is well padded for this kind of trip. I have a couple of other of their cases too.

Cosmetically the plastics get scrapped and scuffed and the aluminums get dinked and dented so it is about the same to me. One thing you can do with the Americase is order the outer cover for it. While it is still a gun case, it does not scream out what it is quite so much. It also keeps down some of the dirt, scuffs, etc.

A number of these comes with wheels so you can pull it around. I have never really had good luck with wheels as they always get broken, mashed, or something. Or if you really need to pull it because you are loaded down, there will be a foot of mud there where it wont roll but it will clog the wheels. In airports and camps and on safari trips there will be some extra hands there that want to earn some tips and I use them if I need to and keep some small bills in my pocket handy. If you have your wife and kids and all of that, you will need that anyway, and a cart or two. If it is just me I have the Filson bag strapped over one shoulder on one side and the rifle case in hand on the other balancing eash other and off I go. That is if someone isnt hanging off of one wanting to help.

My 0.02.

I am happy with the Tuffpak I bought from Harry 6-7 years ago. The soft pack he sold back then had a longitudinal zipper and a draw string closure on one end, you put the soft pack inside the Tuffpak with drawstring end up. Then put your rifle which is in its soft case inside the soft pack muzzle down and the zipper on the rifle case oriented to the top. Next you load your gear from the top, it will jiggle around and secure your rifle, providing extra protection. Now when you need to remove the rifle for inspection you unzip the rifle case, it will slide out and back in easily. Harry used to have a printed sheet illustrating this.

Tuffpak for me, with the Tuffsack. The only problem I had was fitting it into the charter plane on a Zim trip, but we managed....


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I forgot to comment on the rifle sharing. If I am traveling with a friend we always vcarry some of each other's ammo and each other's rifle. Just for the reasons you mentioned. I also share a copy of my passport with him and he with me. It's not the same as a passport, but it will help get you home.

What is the contact info for Harry and/or his company? I need a Tuff Pack.

I use a standard aluminum case but I dispensed with the rod and instead use four individual locks; two for which I only have the key, and two TSA locks.

I have had my locks cut by TSA before. I figure with two TSA locks if they cut my regular locks it is at least somewhat secure.

As for guns being "incognito" with a TuffPak, if you fly Delta they slap a "CAGPT" label on your rifle case. It means "Check and Give Protection To" - anything with this label is hand carried and not placed on the luggage belt. I have never had a problem flying with this label on my guns.