I have a pair of double rifles (with a third on order) and am looking at the best ways to store and carry them.

I have been considering buying a couple of leather double rifle cases, for storage and show, but do not want to use these for transporting my doubles on hunting trips.

For transporting my doubles, I am considering buying one of the short Pelican gun cases and cutting the foam to the correct shape for each of the components (spare shotgun barrels, scope mounts, etc). While this is a great option for airline transport, the resulting size and weight may be a bit of a problem. I guess that full protection for my doubles is not going to come in a lightweight and compact form, and perhaps I just have to accept that fact.

But I am also looking for something suitable for day trips, short hunts in the local area, often in someone else's vehicle where space may be a problem. Would a quality, padded gun bag, designed for carrying disassembled doubles, be the option here? What quality bags are available specifically for double rifles?

It seems to me that I need three (3) different types of storage/carrying of my doubles!

So I just thought that I would see what the double rifle owners on AR use - what is your solution to the problem of storage and transporting of your doubles?

I have spent some time experimenting on this question. Leather cases are good for show and maybe to take on a car trip where they will be treated with some respect. I have them for two of my doubles. For airline or rough travel I do what you suggested with a pelican case and cut foam. My test here is if you aren't prepared to toss the cased rifle off the table 4 feet onto a concrete floor it isn't good enough. The pelican passes, some aluminum cases might (with case damage) nothing else does. I also have both the Boyt and SKB takedown soft cases that I have used in the field. You may have to shop around a little, most are for shotguns and are far too long

One more thing. The Pelican case is often lighter than a quality leather case (at least that is true for both an H&H and Searcy case

I'VE TRAVELLED WITH AN AMERICASE ALUMINUM CASE WITH 100 % SATISFACTORY RESULTS SINCE 2000. THE DOUBLE RIFLE FITS NICELY AND THE FOAM IN THE TOP HOLDS IT IN PLACE WELL. MY CASE HAS THE OPTIONAL CORDURA COVER WHICH PROTECTS THE CASE AND KIND OF DISGUISES WHAT IT IS.

I'VE TRIED ALL KINDS OF CASES AND FOUND THIS THE BEST

I bought a Pelican Hard Case and a Size small soft take down shotgun case. I take the foam out of the Pelican and put the Double Rifle in the small take down. Then I take a soft scoped rifle case and take my bolt gun out of the stock and put the receiver in the soft rifle case. I add another soft case for the Double for in the hunting truck, I put the stock from the bolt gun in this. This gives me a hard case I can manage in the airports, yet both rifles are protected. I can stick a few small objects in the pelican and still be underweight for the airlines.

Been using the Tuffpak and will again to Tanzania in Aug. Once with a Manton 470 and once with a Demas 577 in the last year with no problems.

Check out the take down Tuffpak.

My second choice would be a takedown Pelican or Hardigg case.

Aluminium cases get just too bent up over the long haul for me.

quote:

I have been considering buying a couple of leather double rifle cases, for storage and show, but do not want to use these for transporting my doubles on hunting trips.

Why? It is waht they were made for and do it better than anything save the "security" aspect. But that can be solved as I suggest below.

In UK we used to have an outer canvas case that fully enclosed the leather case for long travel. My gun is still in its original leather case it was supplied in to my late father in 1919. The only repair was a new handle this year.

My advice would be to maybe have a "bespoke" or "custom" outer aluminium case that just takes the leather case complete. The leather case is best to protect the gun, the aluminium case protects the leather case.

And with the "brick" of the leather case inside it will be less likely to be dented or knocked out of shape. If so, so what? Most local craftsmen can repair it or make another quite quickly.

No need to worry about any cut-out save a long flat rectangular one.

quote:

Would a quality, padded gun bag, designed for carrying disassembled doubles, be the option here? What quality bags are available specifically for double rifles?

Unless in a fitted case carrying a gun disassembled is a recipe for dents, wear to finish and scratches to the stock.

Leg of Mutton cases were notorious for this and were very bad for wearing the black from barrels and the colour from fences of actions.

I would use a standard side by side shot gun slip and just carry the thing put up (assembled) if that were the only option. Again maybe in a full length aluminium case that has a gun slip shaped cut out?

If you visit UK eBay you'll find lots of gun slips for side by side doubles. Some modern and some old with a "blocked" (shaped like a cup) leather end designed to fit the muzzles.

Best of luck in your search! You might find a better selection of double gun cases again on UK eBay.

I highly rercommend you do not travel with your double "assembled". It is much less likely to be damaged while broken down.

I just flew and we arrived at the airport early. We spent some time in an empty terminal and watched some guys unload a plane. There was a long ramp with a metal stop at the end. They were just throwing the items on the ramp and they slid all the way down and crashed into the metal stop. Then the next item crashed into the one before it and so on. Something to think about.

Personally, I've had good luck with the Hardigg Storm cases but Pelicans are great too.

Just go to AMERICASEand click on their "Drop Test Video" at the bottom of the page. You will be amazed and surprised how a little momentum can jam a rifle or scope up against the inside of a case.

You spent how much on a hunt? How much on a rifle and scope? You spent how much time and money handloading and getting it all sighted in and just right? And you put all your dreams in a case that won't protect your dreams? Tell me it ain't so?

Hardigg Stormcases have better latches IMHO then Pelican. Otherwise, the two are pretty closely matched.

Have the foam cut (or do it yourself) for your disassembled double rifle and stop worrying about damage.

Tuffpak is the best choice for numerous reasons. Check their website for lots of info and endorsements.
http://www.tuffpak.com

Pelican cases for me. But if I was buying one now it would be the Strom cases because of the better latches.

For "semi-local" hunting where you don't need to fly, the very best and most compact way to carry a double rifle (or two) is an English motor case (or SxS shotgun or two.) These are not the flat "trunk cases" but are vetical. Much more compact and the lid doesn't need an acre of space to open.

I have an old double motor case originally for 26" barreled shotguns. It works well for double rifles and you can block the barrel channel for a custom fit. The sights make an indentation into the padding and felt on the underside of the lid, but no issue.

Jeff's Outfitters has them amoungst others.

Here is a photo of a one gun motor case. ~$200.

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com...os//c-lmotorcase.jpg

Here is a two gun case: $250.

http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com...ase_motor_pair_2.jpg

All leather is a bit more.