I've got an old battered Americase case that I love and its been going to Africa for nearly 20 years but I have a problem. After my 2023 fiasco with a leopard, I bought a rifle specifically designed tor leopard and croc, that could double for plains game. It has a ballistic reticle so I can adjust the zero from leopard and croc to an antelope a few hundred yards out there with the twist of a turret. But it is a big scope and my old Americase won't accommodate both rifles so I need a new case.
Americase got out of that business, so I'm thinking about a Pelican. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. I'm open to suggestions. I'm thinking the Pelican IM 3220 or the 1740, which is bigger, or the 1780. which is bigger yet. Welcome thoughts.

quote:

After my 2023 fiasco with a leopard

Please:
Did you have written an report about that?

I've posted about this before so it's no secret. After we shot our lion, we modified a lion bait for leopard where a leopard had been coming in, and it was about 100 yards away, which is not a problem. I've shot leopards longer than that but this one was different as he was lying down as the sun came up. A branch covered his vitals so I could have shot him in the head, which I wish I'd done, or wait for him to stand. I was using my .416 with a 1x6 scope. When he stood, he did so to exit the tree and my shot was too far back as he jumped out of the tree.

As we followed up, we came to a korongo he crossed and he growled at us and departed. My PH told me to stay behind, but that wasn't happening, so I detached my scope and followed. After a couple of hours of follow up, the Leopard came. I've never seen anything that fast. I never could catch up with him and my PH, Michel Mantheakis, stopped him at six yards.

I was using my .416 with a 1X6 Swaro with a 30mm objective. Not the best for leopard, so I got a new rifle and scope. Which I will use in the future for leopard. More magnification and bigger objective.

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I was using my .416 with a 1X6 Swaro with a 30mm objective. Not the best for leopard, so I got a new rifle and scope. Which I will use in the future for leopard. More magnification and bigger objective.

Rather than dabbling with different rifles and optics, try making it a rule of thumb of setting a shorter distance of between 40-60 yards for Leopard.

The same criteria is applicable to Croc as it is you who will decide where to place the bait and the desired position of the blind.

Lastly, while the 416 is an all rounder albeit a little on the heavy side for Leopard and Croc, the versatile 300 Win Mag is probably the more favoured caliber and IMO the ideal battery of rifles for an African hunt.

Used e rifle for everything!

Distance is immaterial.

I use just one, 375/404, and have shot leopard and crocs at over 200 yards.

Never been a problem.

And I don’t use any funny scopes either.
Leupold 2.5-8 set about 1-2 inches high at 100 yards.

Shot impala at over 400 yards, eland at close 500.

Good old Kentucky Windage!

I've had good experiences with Pelican. Get one with wheels. I usually fly into Seattle then on to Africa, and usually have to walk through the entire #*&$ terminal to re-check the rifle. I usually take two rifles in a larger case, but for my August SA trip I'm only bringing one, and bought a smaller case.

Kalispel.

I have a 1750 case and all my Leica scopes spin elevation and 3 also spin windage. They all fit.

You could also use detachable scope mounts, continue to carry your rifle in the Americase and carry the scope in your carry-on.

The Kalispel double is identical to the Americase double (I have both now). Not sure about the single pictured.

I use a Pelican 1750 and have for 20+ years. It works well.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I was using my .416 with a 1X6 Swaro with a 30mm objective. Not the best for leopard, so I got a new rifle and scope. Which I will use in the future for leopard. More magnification and bigger objective.

Since we are supposedly discussing cases here, may I suggest that rifle security and zero-keeping is the essence.

Therefore, I warn against bigger scopes with bigger objectives - they are the ones most likely to be knocked out of alignment. The bigger the objective, the higher it must be mounted and the more it will extend beyond the mounts, giving greater leverage to any bump.

Thanks all for your comments.

Fulvio, I think 40-60 yards on leopard is too close. It's great if you can get the cat there and remain undetected, but that's darn close. I've never shot one that close. That said, under 100 is clearly good. We had a problem in that this was a lion blind and was about 115-120 yards, already set up. That shouldn't have been a problem and I should have just head shot the leopard while he was lying on the branch, it would have been an easy face on shot, but I couldn't see the rest of his vitals and so I waited until he stood, but he only stood to leap out of the tree, so I caught him too far back. If I had to do it again, I'd have shot him in the head and we'd have picked him up under the tree.

Therefore, I warn against bigger scopes with bigger objectives - they are the ones most likely to be knocked out of alignment. The bigger the objective, the higher it must be mounted and the more it will extend beyond the mounts, giving greater leverage to any bump.



Here is a funny story about scopes.

Got a call from a friend, that a friend of his is having problems with his newly acquired air rifle, and could he bring it to me to sort out.

Next day the gentleman arrives, with a very nice FX rifle.

He said he found it hard to see through the scope, even at its highest magnification.

Got the rifle out, it had an enormous scope I have never heard of before.

It had all sorts of fantastic settings on its reticle, and was 18-64X!

I asked where did he get it.

He said he asked the gun shop to install the biggest scope they had.

I got the scope off, and gave him a Leupold 2-7 I had.

He was much happier then!

Are we varmint hunting or hunting in Africa?

I’m with fulvio 100%. 40-60 yards for a blind.

Proper decisions on choice of a bait tree and placement of the blind can and should make the shot easy.

Poor decisions will guarantee failure.

Im also with Saeed 100%. Scope should be normal in every way except it should have an illuminated reticle.

Zero it for blind distance to tree.

Then, bada bing, bada bang, bada boom and Bob’s your uncle.

Some gun writer said in the past that one should measure the distance to the bait, and zero his rifle at that distance.

Pointless exercise really.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Used e rifle for everything!

Distance is immaterial.

I use just one, 375/404, and have shot leopard and crocs at over 200 yards.

Never been a problem.

And I don’t use any funny scopes either.
Leupold 2.5-8 set about 1-2 inches high at 100 yards.

Shot impala at over 400 yards, eland at close 500.

Good old Kentucky Windage!

you are more the exception than the rule still ... i do remember the late don showing me his 9.3x62 with a detachable magazine and a red dot ... how fool someone can be and of course he proved how wrong i was as usual ...

I have used the TuffPak case on several trips US and abroad. Doesn’t scream “gun case” as much as-could be golf clubs. I put my guns in soft cases inside and pack clothes in and around for cushioning

quote:

Originally posted by S. Texan:
I have used the TuffPak case on several trips US and abroad. Doesn’t scream “gun case” as much as-could be golf clubs. I put my guns in soft cases inside and pack clothes in and around for cushioning

Agree; TuffPak is great for keeping scopes zeroed.

I have a TuffPak you can borrow, if you can figure out a way to get it from Florida to Texas and back that doesn't cost ME anything.

I also agree that the tuffpack is a good option.

I’ve had less issues with losing zero with them than the traditional storm/pelican ones.

quote:

Originally posted by Nitro Express:

quote:

Originally posted by S. Texan:
I have used the TuffPak case on several trips US and abroad. Doesn’t scream “gun case” as much as-could be golf clubs. I put my guns in soft cases inside and pack clothes in and around for cushioning

Agree; TuffPak is great for keeping scopes zeroed.

I have a TuffPak you can borrow, if you can figure out a way to get it from Florida to Texas and back that doesn't cost ME anything.

Tuffpak is excellent as is a Pelican 1750. Use the hard plastic cases, forget the aluminum cases as they get punctured.

quote:

Originally posted by Wesheltonj:
I have a 1750 case and all my Leica scopes spin elevation and 3 also spin windage. They all fit.

You could also use detachable scope mounts, continue to carry your rifle in the Americase and carry the scope in your carry-on.

I don't know about carrying a scope in a carry-on.

Back in '78 when flying over to Australia to shoot buffalo my friend and I had our rifles in soft rifle bags for check-in, my 404 with iron sights and my friends Brno 7mm with a Kahles scope. He took the scope off and put it in his carry-on. The visual security check picked up the scope and they wouldn't allow it in his carry-on so gave it to the pilot to carry in the cockpit. The hostess handed over the scope as we disembarked the plane.

Security today is a hell of a lot more strict than it was back then so I would be very surprised if anything firearm related is allowed in carry-on.

Tuffpak is your answer. I used mine as recently as May and numerous times before. Two rifles in soft cases, clothes,etc. No pun intended, I've had zero problems. Note: I would do two things.
1.Get the overbag that is extra that goes with it, makes it easier to slide in and out when packing or getting checked by Customs. If you ever go north, you could have to take firearms out of hard case to fly into the bush. The bag makes it easier.
2. Someone mentioned several years ago on here several years to put 1.5 in foam cut out in shape of bottom and same for the cap. It's just extra insurance against back and forth shock. As Dogcat mentioned aluminum can get punctured and it doesn't look like firearms. The airport I go in and out of is medium size and my Tuffpak has popped out on the regular baggage carousel last three times on return. I'm tired and haven't had to go through the normal routine so far.

dogcat,

Much appreciate the offer of the loan of the Tuffpack. I think I've got this sorted though. Again, very generous and much appreciated.

I also vote for the TuffPack. I bought mine in 2006 and have made about 20 trips over with it. Last year I noticed the lid had a crack and contacted them. They replaced the lid at no cost. I did have to pay to ship my case to them but they covered the return shipping.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
dogcat,

Much appreciate the offer of the loan of the Tuffpack. I think I've got this sorted though. Again, very generous and much appreciated.

I think I was the one who offered to loan mine--?

Thanks, Nitro, much appreciated.

My Americase didn't last long before Ethiopian Air destroyed it.

I think the Pelican 1750 is the best all-around rifle case for traveling long distances and to remote places with firearms.

The Pelican is tough and protective. It also slides right in the "belly pods" on the Cessnas I usually fly on in Zimbabwe.

But, I also try to hunt in places where I can do some fishing. When I'm bringing fishing rods, I use my Tuffpak. Also, if I'm going to be hunting predators from a blind, I like to take my quad-sticks to shoot off of. I can fit 2 rifles, a set of Quad-sticks, and 3 fishing rods in tubes in a Tuffpak.

I also take my Tuffpak when I travel for a waterfowl hunts, because I can pack my waders in there too.

Of course, I will concede the the Pelican will probably protect the rifle better than a Tuffpak (even though I have never had issues).