This will be my first trip using a Tuffpak and I want to see how many people remove their scope and carry it in the carry on or just leave it mounted?

Thanks
Gene

Gene,

What sort of mounts do you use?

I think if I had quick dettach mounts I would remove the scope for peace of mind...however you are using fixed ordinary mounts I am not so sure....the start of a safari is not the time you want a stripped thread, sheared head, lost screw or broken allan key...Having said that I am sure some of the kore expireinced guys will give you a better answer..

Regards,

Pete

I used my Tuff Pak for the first time this past April to hunt in Namibia. I did not remove the scope and the zero didn't change. After getting back still no change. The rifle was in a Boyt soft case and surrounded my hunting clothes and boots. its the best case I've used so far.

I agree 100% with Pete E! If you are useing Quick detach mounts, I'd remove it. All my big game hunting rifles are fitted with Iron sights, and Quik detach scope mounts. I carry an extra scope pre-zeroed in QD mounts as a quick back up in case of scope damage. I remove both, and pack seperately. This avoids theft of the scopes, and if they are both lost, I always have the irons to finish the safari!

I don't use them, but a fixed scope, I would not remove. The rezeroing wastes ammo that is better used for hunting!

I don't have a Tuff-Pak, but I'm thinking of getteing one of the break down ones, for my double rifles, then put my doubles in the Boyt break down soft cases.

Has anyone had a problem carrying on a rifle scope? Could look "suspicious" to security personnel.

Kevin, I thought I had heard awhile back on this site where someone had the problem you mention.

I would think at that point it might be a little late to try to get hold of your gun case so you could put it back on.

I have Talley QD's so no problem taking it off. So I guess now the question is has anyone had any problems in carrying on their scope this year?

I have been back and forth 3 times to Africa and my scope has been fine. I have a HUGE Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10X56 mounted with Tally rings. Tuff Packs are great, dont worrie about it.

I NEVER remove a scope from my rifle, unless I want it off to go in the bush after something thats hurt and angry, then I want my irons....

I still don't trust QD mounting systems return to zero capabilities altogether and a 1" move could miss the brain, sooo, I don't mess with them...Never had a gun damanged in my tuff case.

I also check my guns POI in camp before I hunt...They are usually right on the money. I use my bore sighter each morning to check the zero.

GMaxon,

Even with Talley mounts, I do not remove my scope. Trust the Tuffpak! Pack it properly and you will have no problems. I've used it in N.A. and Africa, and each time it has been "nuts on" when test firing before the hunt.

BOWHUNR

Just saw this topic right now, I'm new on the forum.

I removed my scope on my trip to RSA, and I've got two experiences from this.

1. When we landed on Johannesburg International and got our rifles cheked out, some kind of small truck had ran into the metal gun case. It was a big scratch. If the scope had been on, it probably would have been damaged. And still, I had a strong gun case.

2. When I was going back home, me and three of my friends were stopped on Joberg in the security check (three other persons got through without problems).
The people in the security check saw our scopes and bolts (packed in our cabin luggage according to earlier instructions from KLM) in the x-ray, and got totally freaked. The plane was leaving in 10 minutes, and there we were, stuck in the security check. The solution was to take all our scopes and bolts (5 scopes and 4 bolts) and but them in one bag, run to the gun check-in again, and check in that bag. We made the plane become 10 minutes late, so we got home with it.
What do you think happened?
Home at Arlanda International in Stockholm, the bag never arrived! It was worth somewhere around $12000, filled with Zeiss and Swarowski scopes, and bolts for guns that would be unusable without them. And KLM told us that their insurance would cover $300. We saw bills with wings on them, flying away...luckely the bag came home the day after, it just missed the plane and came with the next plane!

Conclusion: Shit happens whatever you do to prevent it
When we

All my big game rifles are equipped with detachable mounts (Apel most of them) and on all my safaris I always removed the scopes and carried them in a hand-case on the cabin.
As far as I can remember I always had to open the case for control. But I always was allowed to keep it with me.
I believe it is much safer if you carry the scopes with you!.

B.Martins

Hi,
I was just reading an old article by John Barsness in which he suggests removing the stock from your rifle and thus fitting it into a shotgun case. This would be more handy and look less like a gun...I wonder if any of you have tried this. Is there a large change in pt of impact? The reason I ask is that the tuffpack looks so unweildy and large that the average plainsgame hunt with 1 rifle would be easier with a smaller case...
Another question; How many of you use takedown rifles regularly? I was looking at the Sauer 202 and was quite impressed by it's accuracy, but the Dakota taveller and Blaser are also quality products.

Tuffpack also makes a smaller version, for take down guns.

I have a slightly shortened Ruger M77 that I use for my air travel rifle. I can remove the action from the stock and fit both in a Samsonite 2 suiter hardside suitcase along with my clothes. It seems to return to zero just fine and is a little more discrete than a gun case.