I will be leaving in 14 days (not that I'm counting)for RSA. My brother and son will be going with me, EXCEPT one small problem. I took you folk's advice and bought a Tuff Pac, now my brother with his Pelican case is finding out he has a weight problem with the airlines. Anyone know who has Tuff Pacs in stock and I'll buy one for him?

Mims Reed, who posts here when he's not being ornery or cantankerous, can get one to you ASAP, I'm sure.

Hunters Headquarters

Try Mims Reed at Hunters' Headquarters. He posts here as Harry.

How about Mims Reed, he posts here as Harry. Hunters Headquarters



Chuck

I have to learn to type faster.

Don't pay any attention to those guys, try Mims Reed at Hunters Hdq.

Or you can try Mims Reed!



Do yourself a favor, get a Tuff_Sac also. Makes packing a breeze!

I got mine from a guy named Mims Reed. What a coincidence!

Mims is who you want, obviously.

To paraphrase an old Grateful Dead bumper sticker "Who is Mims Reed, and why is he following me?"

I'm ashamed to say I ordered mine direct from the manufacturer.

I stenciled "Tripod # 2" in big white letters on the side.

JCN

Well it's unanimous! I ordered it for him and man, am I going to rag on him! Thanks everyone.

How much lighter is the Tuff Pack than the Pelican?

If it doesn't work out, you can always return it and get one from Mims Reed instead!



Russ

Hacksawtom,
I have them in stock along with the Tuffsaks. Just let me know where and when.
You can order off the web site www.hunters-hq.com products page or you can call me at 817 267 3700.
Thanks to the AR crowd for all the help. Most appreciated.
Better tomorrows,
Mims

Mimms sent me one last wednesday via surface UPS and I got it it on Friday morning. That's over 750 miles from here! Good service!

Rich Elliott

By all means, go with Mims. He is also cheaper than going direct with Tuff-Pak. Ask about the inner bag also. We found our to be a very handy addition.

Sam

Yes, get the tuff sack and the optional handle is really nice too. If no one has told you yet, the best place to get the product is from Mims Reed AKA Harry on this forum.

Mid-South Shooter's Supply

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00082TP1049KYB

Mims is amazing. He has a Tuffpak that he takes to Dallas SC that regenerates itself.

(That's a private joke that I won't explain, but there's about 10 of us who know what I'm talking about. Gotta give Mims hell! ) Mims: Remember you owe me a single-malt this year.

As Mr. Rodney Dangerfield would say,
"I can't get no respect!"
I am going to blame my over enthusiastic selling to a 1/2 gallon of Crown that someone left in my cooler at the convention.
Ok Judge...I have your tab marked in my book.

500grains, what has your experience been when you fly to Africa with your rifles?



Chuck

I can at least say for myself that when I have flown to african countrys with a guncase, the guncase didn't count weightwise. So I had the 20 kilos in my pack plus a peli-case. With no problems or questions asked.

Erik D.

That was my case last month as well. I had two rifles (scoped), cleaning kit, two extra locks, etc., in my Browning (aka Pelican). I didn't have a problems checking it.

I think that it came in around 40 lbs (I'm really guessing as I can't remember). My regular bag came in at 52 lbs and my wifes at around 56.

Didn't have to pay anything extra.

-Steve

Your Tuffpak is not luggage...it is sporting equipment. Does not go under the baggage weight rules of a suitcase.
In four trips to Africa with mine nobody has ever charged me a nickel extra.

Don't these SAA Baggage rules apply?

CHECK IN BAGS

PIECE CONCEPT

Under the "piece" concept, which applies to travel originating between Africa and the USA or Canada, passengers are entitled to:

UNITED STATES
Order 95-2-7
Approval is subject to the conditions regularly imposed on this type of baggage system. These conditions preclude the application of weight-related baggage systems to any passengers whose ultimate ticketed origin or destination is a point in the United States. For these passengers, only piece-related baggage system shall apply, including any travel beyond the U.S.-foreign gateway legs of the journeys.

APPLICATION OF BAGGAGE PIECE SYSTEM FOR

Transportation originating between Africa and the USA / Canada
Between South Africa / Namibia and Brazil / Argentina.
Between Argentina / Brazil / Bolivia / Chile / Paraguay / Uruguay and Hong Kong / Thailand via South Africa. (Applicable on SA/RG only)
THE FREE CHECKED BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE SHALL BE:

For passengers entitled to travel first or business class, two checked bags (pieces), the sum of the three dimensions not to exceed 158 cm's (62 INS) for each bag (piece);
For Passengers entitled to travel in economy class, two checked bags (pieces), the Sum of the three dimensions not to exceed 158 cm's (62 in) for one bag (piece) and not to exceed 140 cm's for the other bag (piece);
For handling purposes, the maximum weight of any bag (piece) of the free Baggage allowance specified above shall - not be more than 32 Kg (70 LB)
For infants not entitled to a seat, one checked bag, the sum of the three Dimensions not to exceed 115 cm's (45 INS), plus one fully collapsible stroller or push-chair, which may be carried in the passenger cabin.
The following articles irrespective of their actual dimensions may be considered as a piece of baggage at 158 cm's (62 ins):
One sleeping bag or bedroll;
One rucksack / knapsack/ back pack;
One pair of snow skis with one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski boots;
One golf bag;
One duffel-type bag;
One single seat touring or racing bicycle, (Non-Motorised) provided that the handlebars are fixed sideways and the pedals are removed;
One pair of standard water skis or one slalom water ski;
Suitably packed fishing equipment which may consist of not more than two rod, one reel, one landing net, one pair of fishing boots, and one fishing tackle box.
Sporting firearms consisting of not more than:
One rifle case containing not more than two rifles, 5Kg (10 LB) of ammunition, one shooting mat, noise suppressers and small rifle tools;
Two shotguns and two shotgun cases, or
One pistol case containing not more than five pistols, 5 Kg (10 LB) of ammunition, noise suppressers, one pistol telescope and small pistol tools.
ACCEPTABILITY OF SUCH FIREARMS MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS CONTAINED IN IATA AND ICAO DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONS AND SUBJECT TO THE CARRIER'S CONDITIONS. THE CARRIER CONCERNED SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Any portable musical instruments not exceeding 100 cm's (39 ins) in length may be considered as one piece at 100 cm's (39 INS) in length may be considered as one piece at 100 cm's (39 INS).
Please note that the maximum size and weight of any baggage article that can be processed as checked baggage is as follows:

Size: 450x720x900mm
Weight: 45Kg
Any article large than the above must be processed through Cargo

For through journeys where the passenger travels partly in First / Business class and partly in Business / Economy class, the free baggage allowance for each portion of the trip shall be that applicable to the class of service for which the fare is paid.

Exception:
A passenger paying a through First / Business class will be entitled to the baggage allowance for First / Business class even when accommodated in a lower class of service.

Involuntarily rerouted passengers will receive the free baggage allowance applicable to the class of service for which tickets were originally issued, even when such passenger are subsequently transferred to a different class of service.

Eric & Steve, I'm interested in your thoughts on the pelican cases.

Chuck

Chuck,

Mine's fine. It is heavy, but it has intigral wheels on it and they work great.

It's sealed with an 'O" ring and a pressure release valve. I've taken it down the Rogue river strapped to a front seat of a raft in April. Needless to say it got WET. No problem with the guns, though. Dry as a bone.

The internal foam can be cut to shape and the outside is sturdy. I've traveled with it a bit and never had any damage to it nor the contents.

-Steve

Thanks Steve,

Chuck

Chuck,

I personally have 2 Peli-cases. One long and one shorter (for take-down rifles) which have survived several trips to africa both with me and with friends who have borrowed them from me with no damage at all. I've also used several other Peli-cases sizes both as a civilian and in the military. I've seen them driven over by trucks, thrown out of helicopters and drenched in water without failing in any way. There is a reason that our military (and numerous others) use them. These cases are used a lot on extreme expeditions world wide to protect everything from highend film gear to scientific equipment worth a fortune. So they're good enough for me. The only downside is that they're a bit heavy. Because of the Tuff-packs lighter weight, were I to need a new case, I would consider going the Tuff-case route. But since I have 2 cases that will most likely last my lifetime, I see no reason for me to get one at the moment.

Unless someone feels the need to donate one for me to test!

Erik D.

As I have stated before...I have traveled many places in many cases both metal and "some sort of plastic"...no damage to any firearms ever. My first safari was 21 days and two camps with pvt. planes etc to TZ. Took a Pelican / Browning and an old metal case. Metal case came back with slightly bent lock and Pelican came back with part of a corner bumper broken off. NO damage to guns (one a 470 NE double) HOWEVER...none had wheels, both weighed a ton and it was hell carrying much else in either other than firearms.
Now I travel in Tuffpaks. My motto is, "If if don't roll...it don't go!" No need in lugging something that weighs more than my rifle(s)...lots of good cases...it is just that those of us that travel in Tuffpak know we travel in the best...lighter, will hold more "stuff", rolls, no damage to firearms, does not yell out that it is a gun case,no rods nor latches to bend nor break, etc. etc.
Not saying there are not other good cases.

I just weighted my Sons 2 gun Pelican case, it weights 20 lbs. Does anyone know what the TuffPack weights?

17 lbs. empty.

The UPS ship wt. in the box is 20.

The real catch is...I can put way more stuff in my 17 lb Tuffpak than you can in a 20 pound Pelican. I have traveled to Africa in both cases.

I don't doubt that you can put more stuff in a Tuffpack. I'm used to packing stuff in a Supercub so I guess I just like smaller bags. I'm sure either one will work fine.

Harry, just out of interest. How much to send one of these Tuffpacks to Australia?

Bakes

I'm going to see if I can bring some over to Oz.

The freight is difficult on just one, but if we can put together a minimum number the freight cost comes to a quite reasonable amount.

So if any other Aussies are interested please email or PM.