In a recent thread I queried about a case for a matched pair of muzzleloading rifles I expect to be ready for pick-up sometime in June. I'm a user rather than a collector.

I have four (4) 1863 Sharps single shot rifles that I want my brother's kids and grand kids to have, being shipped, preferably in a single package - that is, rifles are shipped together but not necessarily in a single shipping box. These rifles do not accept cartridges, so in terms of BATFE they are not firearms. All have 30-inch barrels, making them long compared with most modern cartridge rifles.

Please avoid a reply that is not specific to what I need to know.

Okay, to the questions.
1. What is an efficient procedure to package the rifles, again, singly or as a single group of four, including identifying shipping container satisfactory for the job.

2. Would I be better off to have a third party pack the rifles?

3. If packing by a third party is your solution of choice, please identify whom I should hire? I am in Missoula County, Montana. There are many gun stores, at least one rifle manufacturer, at least two gunsmiths, UPS franchise stores, a FedEx store, and probably more potential third-party possibilities I have omitted.
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If you believe it might be easier on both of us to exchange information personally, please PM or email me.

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:

Please avoid a reply that is not specific to what I need to know.

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

Deservedly on Ignore list now.

i might pick a decent quality rifle case or two, something stout enough for airport use, and pack then in tight with packing peanuts filling up any voids. Padlock them, tape the bejezus out of them and mail the key seperately. I have a couple of cases for shotguns that will fit long Sharp's type rifles with 30" barrels, so I know it's doable.

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

Deservedly on Ignore list now.

Some people are just too "(self) important" to read humorous comments. I'm not one of them!
Please place me on the ignore list too. I will reciprocate.

Zeke

What is that all about? Humor is the only reason I come to AR. Certainly not for the advice.
I would definitely not ship them all in the same box. That is asking for trouble in several ways. I would pack them two at a time in a hard plastic case and ship that way. Tape the hell out of them. Locking the case is futile; that won't keep someone from stealing it.
Send priority mail or UPS. Or Fed ex. NOT regular mail.

I use the pink hard insulation that comes in 1" and 2" thickness to make a fitted case for the rifle. A solid 1" sheet on the top and bottom and then a cut out 2" sheet that closely fits the rifle in between. If the rifle is wider(thicker) than 2" the 1" on each side will squish a little when squeezed hard with tape. Then depending on who my customer wants me to use as a shipper I either build a wood box of 1/4" plywood and 1 by pine or I wrap the pink sandwich in cardboard. Or sometimes both because UPS charges extra for wood so if you over wrap it with cardboard they don't charge extra for "slivers."

Also I include both my and my customers contact information in between the layers of pink insulation as well as on the outside of the package. That way if for some unknown reason the outside of the package is damaged and the label is destroyed, when they open it the shipping and contact information is still with the contents.

Take pictures of the packing process and the contents as you go, it is much easier to get a claim paid when the shipper can't use lame excuses like it wasn't packed properly or sufficiently secured, et. al. The closer to indestructible the better. I've had two custom rifles arrive at my customers with tire tracks across the package, 1 survived, one had to be rebuilt(and insurance claim processed with all the BS entailed).

I hope this helps and good luck.

I found some pictures on my laptop so I uploaded them to illustrate what I mean in case my description was as clear as mud.

This is the kind of box I have been using for years. I have never had anything but compliments about them. The boxes are reusable and superior to shipping in a hard case, since they positively prevent any movement, no matter how rough the handling: http://www.cameronpackaging.co...#StandardCustomRifle

quote:

Originally posted by CowboyCS:
I use the pink hard insulation that comes in 1" and 2" thickness to make a fitted case for the rifle. A solid 1" sheet on the top and bottom and then a cut out 2" sheet that closely fits the rifle in between. If the rifle is wider(thicker) than 2" the 1" on each side will squish a little when squeezed hard with tape. Then depending on who my customer wants me to use as a shipper I either build a wood box of 1/4" plywood and 1 by pine or I wrap the pink sandwich in cardboard. Or sometimes both because UPS charges extra for wood so if you over wrap it with cardboard they don't charge extra for "slivers."

Also I include both my and my customers contact information in between the layers of pink insulation as well as on the outside of the package. That way if for some unknown reason the outside of the package is damaged and the label is destroyed, when they open it the shipping and contact information is still with the contents.

Take pictures of the packing process and the contents as you go, it is much easier to get a claim paid when the shipper can't use lame excuses like it wasn't packed properly or sufficiently secured, et. al. The closer to indestructible the better. I've had two custom rifles arrive at my customers with tire tracks across the package, 1 survived, one had to be rebuilt(and insurance claim processed with all the BS entailed).

I hope this helps and good luck. . . .

This is both elegant and absolutely the way I'll try first.

I have not noticed this type of insulation before viewing your photographs. Where might I find this pink insulation?

The pink insulation is at any hardware store. This looks like a great way to go.

For most rifle shipping I do, I order cheap $25 plastic gun cases from Cabelas or Brownells. They come shipped in boxes. I place the gun in a padded lycra interior lined sock ($8), place that in the plastic hard sided case, wrap the latches in tape, stick it back in the box it was shipped to me in, and send it UPS Ground. I've shipped hundreds of guns using this method and never had an issue.

Like DPCD mentioned, I wouldn't pack them all in one case.

An inexpensive plastic "Plano type" rifle case inside of a cardboard https://www.uline.com/Product/...keywords=Rifle%20Box Uline rifle box is the method that I use.

If I'm shipping a very valuable gun, I will use a padlocked Pelican case inside of a cardboard box.

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:

quote:

Originally posted by CowboyCS:
I use the pink hard insulation that comes in 1" and 2" thickness to make a fitted case for the rifle. A solid 1" sheet on the top and bottom and then a cut out 2" sheet that closely fits the rifle in between. If the rifle is wider(thicker) than 2" the 1" on each side will squish a little when squeezed hard with tape. Then depending on who my customer wants me to use as a shipper I either build a wood box of 1/4" plywood and 1 by pine or I wrap the pink sandwich in cardboard. Or sometimes both because UPS charges extra for wood so if you over wrap it with cardboard they don't charge extra for "slivers."

Also I include both my and my customers contact information in between the layers of pink insulation as well as on the outside of the package. That way if for some unknown reason the outside of the package is damaged and the label is destroyed, when they open it the shipping and contact information is still with the contents.

Take pictures of the packing process and the contents as you go, it is much easier to get a claim paid when the shipper can't use lame excuses like it wasn't packed properly or sufficiently secured, et. al. The closer to indestructible the better. I've had two custom rifles arrive at my customers with tire tracks across the package, 1 survived, one had to be rebuilt(and insurance claim processed with all the BS entailed).

I hope this helps and good luck. . . .

This is both elegant and absolutely the way I'll try first.

I have not noticed this type of insulation before viewing your photographs. Where might I find this pink insulation?

It's made by Owens Corning and it's called Rigid Foam Insulation. it comes in 4' x 8' sheets of various thickness and can be found at most lumber yards or home centers like Lowes, Home Depot and Menards.

It's pretty cheap also usually around $20.00/sheet depending on thickness.

I call the pink board, extruded polystrene foam board, but just foam board insulation is good enough. Great for the purpose.

If you choose to build a plywood box around it, I recommend quarter inch underlayment (cheap and light) and then 5/4 cedar decking lumber for the edges. Cedar is strong but light for its weight. I would ship one or two rifles to the box, being certain they cannot be knocked into each other.

I would use USPS Priority Mail as the shipping vehicle. It doesn't matter than they are percussion rifles or regular rifles - all the same to USPS.

Anyone with 4 of those is a lucky dude indeed and even luckier nephews that will receive them.

Good luck.

I'm not sure what you value those Sharps at, but you will probably save money if you use REGISTERED mail instead of insuring using priority. It will be slightly slower, but it absolutely will get there 99.99+% of the time.

I'd pack them, one or two per plastic case, well wrapped, send it registered mail. Priority mail will cost less if the insured amount is under $1000, but, without figuring it to the penny, most amounts above that save money, and if it is much above $1000, the savings will be significant and you'll have a safer method of shipping.

I didn't know about the insurance trade off like that - thanks!

Registered is MUCH slower in my experience the two times I have used it however. But it is pretty darn safe. Probably safer than any other common shipping method. All seems will have to be paper-taped and signatured.

I love the foam board idea!!!!!!! I ship stuff all the time and messed up big time recently when I shipped three barreled actions, wrapped in bubble wrap, together. They all dinged each other up! I should have wrapped in bubble wrap and then card board and then placed them all together. Good thing I already planned to refinish them prior.

But for whole riles, the foam board idea is cheap and easy.

Registered mail is definitely the preferred and soundest way.

quote:

Originally posted by Naphtali:

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

Deservedly on Ignore list now.

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by CowboyCS:
I use the pink hard insulation that comes in 1" and 2" thickness to make a fitted case for the rifle......

Very ingenious.

Glad I could help everyone.

Naphtali, I hope your shipping goes well and all your rifles arrive safely. Shipping anything these days with USPS, UPS and FedEx is a crap shoot at best. I've had problems with all three.