Air Travel Gun Case for Africa

31 March 2009, 09:08

Texas Blue Devil

I will be making my first trip to Africa in June. We are going to Namibia. I have been on many waterfowl and bird hunts up in Canada. For these hunts I used a metal gun case designed to hold two shotguns broken down into 2 pieces. These cases will not work for our rifles. So I need a couple new air travel gun cases.

We will be taking 5 rifles for 3 hunters. I have heard a lot about TuffPaks. Are TuffPaks the recommended travel case??

Any feedback or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

TBD

31 March 2009, 16:45

larrys01

Tuffpaks are OK if you buy the small one. In the Airports and Bush Planes smaller is better. The smaller ones require taking the Rifle apart.Some of the medium size ones will hold the rifle without taking it apart and work quite well. Do not put TSA Locks on the Gun Case.

31 March 2009, 17:25

Gatogordo

I've used the Tuffpak for two trips to Africa and it is unsurpassed if you consider both weight, toughness, and user friendliness but I haven't used it on a Bush plane so can't comment on that aspect.

ONE experienced hunter can easily get all he needs for a hunt in a tuffpak and his carry on (minus his ammo which has to be in a separate case). That combined with the Tuffpak's wheels and the normal practice of packing your gun inside one in a softcase which can be and usually is very useful once you're at your final hunt location make it the best choice IMO. There are other cases which will work, both less and more expensive. I've seen some giant aluminum cases that you can drive a truck over, but I imagine the case alone weighs 50 pounds and is extremely unhandy.

I'd vote for the Tuffpak without reservation.

31 March 2009, 18:09

LHowell

As long as you are resined to buying new cases anyway, you might as well look at TuffPak. Though If you plan to put two rifles in soft cases inside don't plan to put much "stff" in there too!

The advantage of packing your clothes in the rifle case is pretty much gone now that you ammo [in a hard box] must be in a separate checked bag anyway! [on SAA at least!]

The Pelican case has served me well on several trip to Africa, with two rifles is just under the 50lb limit[ be sure to use the foam cut-out protection provided and take your bolt out of the rifle - cut a slit in the foam for it]

The aluminum ICC or Cabelas case also works well. Though the aluminum cases can take a cosmetic beating, which is not as noticable on the plastic Pelicans and similar.

Though I have not used them ,yet, the Storm, and new Boyt cases seem equally as good as the Pelican.

Les

31 March 2009, 18:51

RCG

TBD:

This is a favorite and much debated topic. Do a search on this forum and "African Hunting" and you will find many threads. Use"Tuffpack", "Rifle Case", "Pelican", etc. for criteria.

I use a Pelican and could not be more pleased. As LHowell said, make a cut out in the foam for the rifles(s) and take out your bolt, which you should do in any case. The protruding bolt can be a pressure point and might cause the stock to snap there.

I am just not a fan of the Tuff Pack, but I do see its virtues for some and to each his own.

Good Luck.

RCG

PS. I believe it is TuffPak, not Tuff Pack. Sorry.

31 March 2009, 20:45

MARK H. YOUNG

TBD

There are several good cases out there. I use the same ICC case I've had for 15 years. It has taken a beating many times but my guns have never suffered.

Mark

31 March 2009, 20:50

Phoenixdawg

I have a Browning Travel Vault(Pelican), I have used it for 10+ years with no issues. The only thing I don't like is the weight, it is a bit heavy, but works like a champ.

01 April 2009, 01:22

kaizer

I've used both Tuffpaks and heavy-duty aluminum cases from ICC and Bass Pro Shop. The Tuffpak requires thoughtful packing, since your rifle is cushioned only by the clothes you put around them, and the soft case if you're taking one. You have to ask yourself if you're sure that your socks and boots, etc., will provide adequate protection for your expensive rifles. I prefer the foam in the aluminum cases for protection, since that's it's sole purpose.

But if you use a Tuffpak, here's a tip that makes it easier to use. When your rifle is inspected at the airport you must pull it out of the Tuffpak. This can be a challenge if you've packed clothing tightly around it. To ease this process, make sure you have removed the bolt and scope from the rifle first, then put the rifle in a snug-fitting cardboard or hard plastic sleeve (you can make one or use a Fedex triangular tube). The rifle slides in and out of the cardboard with ease, yet it's still held protectively within the layers of clothing while in transit. I wish that Tuffpak made an accessory like this, similar to the Tuffsak, which itself is a useful accessory that every Tuffpak owner should have.

One last bit of information. My brother used a Tuffpak on an African hunt, and he had packed it very, very carefully. Still, the stock on his rifle was broken while being handled by Delta. It hadn't even made it to Africa yet. Makes you wonder about the protective value of hunt clothing versus open-cell foam. My vote goes to the foam in aluminum cases.

01 April 2009, 01:54

Larry Sellers

Kaizer - Perhaps your Brother packed his Tuff Pak toooooo tightly?? The idea is with the gun/guns in good soft cases they need to be able to move around some on hard contact from the outside. This movement keeps the guns from taking a solid blow and resulting damage. Maybe Harry can explain this a little better as he is a major dealer for them with tons of experience and testimonials.

Texas Blue Devil - My experience (10) overseas trips have resulted in zero damage and all scope sighted rifles were right on upon arrival. I use a Tuff Sack and NEVER pack other items to the point of eliminating some jiggle of the contents. If need be, done it once in Zim, the Tuff Pak can be left behind in safe storage and the guns and their soft cases can be loaded direct for a charter flight.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:
Originally posted by kaizer:
I've used both Tuffpaks and heavy-duty aluminum cases from ICC and Bass Pro Shop. The Tuffpak requires thoughtful packing, since your rifle is cushioned only by the clothes you put around them, and the soft case if you're taking one. You have to ask yourself if you're sure that your socks and boots, etc., will provide adequate protection for your expensive rifles. I prefer the foam in the aluminum cases for protection, since that's it's sole purpose.

But if you use a Tuffpak, here's a tip that makes it easier to use. When your rifle is inspected at the airport you must pull it out of the Tuffpak. This can be a challenge if you've packed clothing tightly around it. To ease this process, make sure you have removed the bolt and scope from the rifle first, then put the rifle in a snug-fitting cardboard or hard plastic sleeve (you can make one or use a Fedex triangular tube). The rifle slides in and out of the cardboard with ease, yet it's still held protectively within the layers of clothing while in transit. I wish that Tuffpak made an accessory like this, similar to the Tuffsak, which itself is a useful accessory that every Tuffpak owner should have.

One last bit of information. My brother used a Tuffpak on an African hunt, and he had packed it very, very carefully. Still, the stock on his rifle was broken while being handled by Delta. It hadn't even made it to Africa yet. Makes you wonder about the protective value of hunt clothing versus open-cell foam. My vote goes to the foam in aluminum cases.

01 April 2009, 08:51

RVL III

SKB

01 April 2009, 16:48

kaizer

Larry,

"Perhaps your Brother packed his Tuff Pak toooooo tightly??"

Perhaps he did pack it too tightly. Or maybe he packed it too loosely. And that's the point! How does a hunter know for sure? With a case like ICC or Pelican or SKB you just lay your rifles on the foam innards and close it, and it's packed perfectly safe every time. I can appreciate that some hunters swear by Tuffpaks, but given a situation where I had a choice, I would choose the foam-packed style of case.

01 April 2009, 17:00

Gatogordo

quote:
Originally posted by kaizer:
Larry,

"Perhaps your Brother packed his Tuff Pak toooooo tightly??"

Perhaps he did pack it too tightly. Or maybe he packed it too loosely. And that's the point! How does a hunter know for sure? With a case like ICC or Pelican or SKB you just lay your rifles on the foam innards and close it, and it's packed perfectly safe every time. I can appreciate that some hunters swear by Tuffpaks, but given a situation where I had a choice, I would choose the foam-packed style of case.

If you think your guns are "perfectly safe" in the foam lined cases, you need to think again. There are many, many reports of broken stocks in them too. I think someone should use what they want, but broken gun stocks in Tuffpaks would not be on my list of reasons to use them or not.

01 April 2009, 18:35

LHowell

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gatogordo:
...I've seen some giant aluminum cases that you can drive a truck over, but I imagine the case alone weighs 50 pounds and is extremely unhandy....
QUOTE]

ACTUALLY, the ICC [or Cabelas] Two rifle case with wheels weighs 15 pounds, your Tuffpak however weighs...17 pounds.

There are choices and arguments for both. The "pack everything in one case" argument is, for Africa travel at least, now defused somewhat due to the ammo separation issue. The Pelican cases are heavy, but when used properly, very protective of your firearms.

01 April 2009, 20:46

jcarr

quote:
Originally posted by LHowell:
ACTUALLY, the ICC [or Cabelas] Two rifle case with wheels weighs 15 pounds, your Tuffpak however weighs...17 pounds.

No dog in this fight whatsoever, I have chosen my case and I will see in a few weeks how well is does or does not work, but the two gun aluminum case from cabelas weighs out at 21.2lbs, 22.5lbs with wheels(per the ICC web site)while the tuff comes in at 17 as you stated. While 3 or four pounds would make no difference to me in my decision, esp when one considers the aluminum case will carry nothing but rifles, I'm just throwing this out there in the interest of accuracy. Personally if I had not chosen the tuffpak, I would have gone with the Storm Case by Hardigg, looks like the twinner to the Pelican and costs less.

01 April 2009, 21:07

LHowell

jcarr

You may well be right about Cabelas cases, I cannot find weights on the web site anywhere. I was using the specs from ICC's site [and assuming that they were still making Cabelas cases for them - that may have been rash on my part].

Still, I could fit NOTHING more than two rifles in soft cases into my Tuffpak. And then could not have slid one out for inspection very easily. So I sold it.

The Pelican holds two rifles, encased in foam.
So, same-same. To each their own.

Les

01 April 2009, 21:48

jcarr

Well, I am still waiting to see if I made the right decision on the Tuffpak, I'll know here in a few weeks. I agree though, to each his own, and out of the total cost of the trip a case is so insignificant if I don't like it I can always get something else.

02 April 2009, 00:16

Gatogordo

quote:
Originally posted by LHowell:
jcarr

You may well be right about Cabelas cases, I cannot find weights on the web site anywhere. I was using the specs from ICC's site [and assuming that they were still making Cabelas cases for them - that may have been rash on my part].

Still, I could fit NOTHING more than two rifles in soft cases into my Tuffpak. And then could not have slid one out for inspection very easily. So I sold it.

The Pelican holds two rifles, encased in foam.
So, same-same. To each their own.

Les

It doesn't matter to me, but how you could only fit two rifles and nothing else in a tuffpak is astonishing.

As far as the aluminum cases I was referring to.....they are not Cabela's two gun cases, they were at least 5 feet long, 15 to 18 inches high and about 18 inches wide and I'm sure were custom made.

Since they weren't mine (thankfully) I didn't pick one up, but I doubt they would have made wt by themselves, much less with anything in them. I don't care what other people use to go to Africa or anywhere else, if it makes them happy, it suits the hell out of me.

Personally, I can pack a carry on, a tuffpak with two rifles, and an ammo case and be good for at least two weeks, assuming laundry is available, and if it ain't, don't get downwind.

In the carry on, I carry a dopp kit with any essential medicines, a range finder, binos, camera(s) and at least one change of clothes. That way, I'm good to go if nothing arrives but me and my carry on, assuming there is some kind of gun available for the hunt. Depending on wt, sometimes I wear my boots and sometimes I wear tennis type shoes which are more comfortable for the flight and easier to take on and off for the frigging TSA.

02 April 2009, 01:06

LHowell

I must have really fat rifles.

02 April 2009, 03:21

Idaho Sharpshooter

Controversy scenario. I went to Zimbabwe last Devember. Either my smiling face and bubbly personality captivates customs people, or the hassle is "Zero" if you take care of business.

I put both rifles into an aluminum trunk, and waltzed straight to the TSA guys from check-in. They looked at my customs forn 5547(?), I showed them the rifle SN's and they told me to put the lock on and go catch my plane. I did have Kathi's advice to check all of my baggage clear thru to Harare. I did, and when I got to the customs office there they merely checked the SN's against the US customs form and wished me success in my hunt. 30 minutes after I got off the plane I was walking out to put my stuff in Myles wife's car.
My next trip I will have the medium Tuff-Pak.

It doesn't get much better than that.

Rich
Buff Killer

02 April 2009, 04:19

LionHunter

quote:
Originally posted by LHowell:
I must have really fat rifles.

Either fat rifles or you weren't using a TuffPak.

I've taken two rifles and a shotgun with two barrels, all in their own soft cases, along with boots, jacket, etc. without issue. {I've seen as many as five long guns in soft cases put into a TuffPac} My TuffPak has made over a dozen safaris since 1995 and shows the wear but is still going strong. Get the TuffSac as it will make inspections easier; it's a must have IMO. Be sure to remove the bolts but no worry leaving the scopes on. Pack the bolts in some kind of padding (I use old wool socks) and place them on top of the TuffSac before you put the lid on.

Good luck on your safari.

02 April 2009, 04:23

quickshot

I own several gun cases, tuffpack, Storm and a metal case.

I have used tuffpack twice to africa and my storm also.

I like my Storm case best for protection.

I just got back from Namibia(great hunt)
I used the tuffpack on this trip because I was taking my two sons and wanted to take three guns. I can fit three guns in the tuffpack.

When I arrived, one gun's scope was off so bad we decide to not use the gun and just use the other two-------rather than burn up ammo to re-zero the rifle.
The tuffpack has it's advantages but the fact is, your guns are not as secure in the case and allows movement of the guns-----the guns can and do bounce around in the case. Your scopes can be affected. I like the storm case better for over-all protection.

Every choice has its trade off--decide what you like and live with it or buy something else.

02 April 2009, 07:40

peashooter

I personally prefer a TuffPak. I have placed a three inch piece of dense foam cut to fit in the bottom of the case. I have lined the case with one inch foam. I carry my rifles muzzle down in soft cases with the bolts removed. It is an easy process for inspection. Unzip the soft case and slid the rifle out to be checked and slid back in. No problems so far on several trips.

02 April 2009, 07:42

LHowell

quote:
Originally posted by LionHunter:
[Either fat rifles or you weren't using a TuffPak.

I've taken two rifles and a shotgun with two barrels, all in their own soft cases, along with boots, jacket, etc. without issue. {I've seen as many as five long guns in soft cases put into a TuffPac}...

LionHunter,

Sir, if that wasn't a Tuffpak I'm gonna quarrel with Harry! He sold me the thing! But it didn't hurt me - I sold it for all I had in it, unused. That hunter took it to Nambia and then sold it as soon as he got home, I've no idea why.

You must be a very efficient packer to get all that into one Tuffpak! I might have been able to stuff a jacket down in the bottom around the barrels but boots? No way I could do that, and no room for etc. either!

Five long guns in one case? Yikes! I'd hate to see those contents after checking them to Africa on SAA!

I merely intended to relate my experiences. Take it or leave it. Just because the Tuffpak did not work for me does not indicate that it is inferior. I just find that the Pelican case works best for me.

Les

02 April 2009, 08:29

LionHunter

quote:
Originally posted by LHowell:
quote:
Originally posted by LionHunter:
[Either fat rifles or you weren't using a TuffPak.

I've taken two rifles and a shotgun with two barrels, all in their own soft cases, along with boots, jacket, etc. without issue. {I've seen as many as five long guns in soft cases put into a TuffPac}...

LionHunter,

Sir, if that wasn't a Tuffpak I'm gonna quarrel with Harry! He sold me the thing! But it didn't hurt me - I sold it for all I had in it, unused. That hunter took it to Nambia and then sold it as soon as he got home, I've no idea why.

You must be a very efficient packer to get all that into one Tuffpak! I might have been able to stuff a jacket down in the bottom around the barrels but boots? No way I could do that, and no room for etc. either!

Five long guns in one case? Yikes! I'd hate to see those contents after checking them to Africa on SAA!

I merely intended to relate my experiences. Take it or leave it. Just because the Tuffpak did not work for me does not indicate that it is inferior. I just find that the Pelican case works best for me.

Les

Well, Les, you found it necessary to post 5 times in this thread and didn't hesitate to rag on the TuffPak, yet it turns out you've never used one.

As to your most recent post, many one time safari hunters sell much of their gear after they return, since they have no use for it anymore. Perhaps that's why the lad who bought your unused TuffPak sold it? You admittedly "have no idea why".

I don't know how efficient I am but as I clearly stated, my TuffPak has made more than a dozen safaris without damage to it or any of the contents. And I must travel an additional 5 hours flying time more than you to reach JNB and make an additional landing/baggage transfer/take off. Virtually every international hunter I know has switched to the TuffPak for many of the reasons cited by others in this thread. These are hunters, like myself, who are fortunate enough and old enough to be able to travel multiple times each year on international hunting trips. They apparently find something of value in the TuffPak.

I have no stock in TuffPak, nor do I disparage other guncases, however I am a confirmed believer in the product and recommend it without qualification (one of the few products I can honestly say that about). Visit their website at
www.tuffpak.com
and you will see that they clearly state their case will handle 3 scoped rifles or 5 unscoped longarms. Perhaps you will learn something you don't seem to understand.

Cheers

02 April 2009, 16:33

LHowell

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LionHunter:

Well, Les, you found it necessary to post 5 times in this thread and didn't hesitate to rag on the TuffPak, yet it turns out you've never used one.

QUOTE]

Let me try to be more clear. I tried to use a TuffPak. I attempted to pack it as recommended by the regular users and could not fit much of anything into the case besides the scoped rifles in their soft cases. I was not too concerned about that as I had to carry a checked bag anyway for my ammo, but after seeing the Tuffpak with the rifles in soft cases alone I had zero confidence in the system and unpacked it and switched to my well used Pelican case.

Upon reflection I realized that I had been caught up in the "cult of the Tuffpak" here on AR, and really did not believe in it. I'll NEVER know now because, at well over twice the cost of the Pelican style cases, I decided that it was a waste of money I could not afford, and sold it.

Now, THAT is ragging on the Tuffpak, I hope we have answered Texas Blue Devils original inquiry!

Lionhunter, It is good that you are so successful with the Tuffpak.

Good Bye!
Les

02 April 2009, 23:04

jcarr

quote:
Originally posted by LHowell:
That hunter took it to Nambia and then sold it as soon as he got home, I've no idea why.

Les

Les was it John Crighton(Eric)you sold your tuffpak to?

03 April 2009, 02:43

Bwanna

Tuffpak all the way! I've taken mine on trips to Africa and Alaska. Never had a problem. Only issue is weight. It was nice when a passenger was allowed 70 pounds on the international flight, I would really pack some clothes in there. Now, with a 50 pound limit, my .458 Lott and .375 H&H and a bit of clothes put me right at 50 pounds. Both are custom and have heavy Bastogne Walnut stocks on them. Before they were customized I got both along with a 700 Remington 30-06 and some clothes in there within the weight limit. If you are talking plains game rifles, I don't think there'll be an issue with three in the Tuffpak coming in under 50 pounds.