There have been some excellent comparative discussions here on gun cases to use for airline travel to Africa. Based on the comments, I decided on a hard sided case for my upcoming trip to Namibia. I considered the following cases:

Kalispel
Americase
Pelican
Starlight
Hardigg Storm Case

I finally settled on the Hardigg Stormcase model iM3300. It was almost a coin flip between the finalists, but the large dolly wheels and the 6 spring loaded snap catches tilted the decision in favour of the Storm Case.
I found a distributor in my province, placed the order, and received my case the next day by courier.

The case has three layers of foam. A base layer, an intermediate layer, and an egg crate layer in the lid.

My next problem was to figure out how to cut the intermediate layer to accept my gun and accessories. I spent weeks wrestling with this problem, and finally after much internet searching and querying friends, this was my solution - an electric carving knife purchased on sale from Sears for about $38.


I laid everything out on the intermediate loam layer, and used a sliver of a soap bar to outline the gun and accessories on the foam layer. I made my outlines slightly smaller than the objects to fit in them in order to provide a compression fit. However, you need to be careful that you don't make the openings too small. If they are too small, there is not enough compression in the foam and it will tear.

I had my wife hold the foam vertically while I ran the electric knife around the outlines.

This is the result


When I load the case up, this is what it looks like.


The case holds my RSM and scope, as well as a spare scope, bolt, wrenches, and a small jar of odds and ends.

Here is a closeup.


I find the final result quite satisfactory both from a practical point of view as well as an aesthetic one.

The point is, I would not have even gotten to first base with this project without the advice, comments and warnings freely given on this Board.

Thanks, guys

Looks great! Nice case and a job well done.

Looks great to me too. I'd only make one suggestion and that is to put hard covers over your scope lenses. I've had screwdrives and bolts move enough to shatter a lens.

Very nice - good work!!

quote:

...I had my wife hold the foam vertically while I ran the electric knife around the outlines ...

And a very trusting wife!

Phil

Wooley

That is a good case. The only thing I would recommend you do is to turn the foam around so the scope is up toward the handle.

That wayin normal carry and normal setting the case down the scope and mount will not be under the weight of the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
Wooley

That is a good case. The only thing I would recommend you do is to turn the foam around so the scope is up toward the handle.

That wayin normal carry and normal setting the case down the scope and mount will not be under the weight of the rifle.

I considered laying it out that way, for the reasons you suggest. However, I also wanted the butt towards the rear/dolly wheels, and I wanted the serial number facing outwards. This limits my options. I decided that the compression fit around the butt stock and the barrel would keep stress off the scope. Time will tell whether I made the right call.

I may try flipping the foam around just to see what it looks like.

prof242 - good idea about protecting the scope lenses!