flying with your target rifle

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WG300

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Hi,

i'm thinking of attending the US F-class nationals held in Phoenix in october and would like to have suggestion regarding the rifle case to be used to bring my rifle in a plane. Which model are you using ? What is the extra cost related to it if any ? Do you keep your scope with you inside the cabin as its pressurised ?

please feel free to provide any input as it would a first time.

regards

Jonathan L.
 
I've never flown with any of my rifles, but I'm pretty sure a Pelican case would be a solid choice. I have a 1750, built like a tank it is.
 
I have a Boyt double rifle case that I bought for this exact purpose. Never gotten around to using it, but I have it and that's what's important. Supposedly you can drop the case out of the airplane and if the foam is properly fitted nothing will break.
 
Cabelas has a pelican clone (likely made at the same factory) stamped made in usa . Offers a lifetime warranty, 2/3 the cost of "pelican" & also has pressure equalisation vent.. (very important on a sealed style case due to pressure differential at altitude)

Experience: flown over two dozen times, toys in tow and continue to do so.

had a small pelican,
Now use nothing but the large Cabelas!
 
A Pelican will protect a rifle. I lighter case will not. it can flex enough to break a rifle at the wrist. With a lighter case, take the action out of the stock and lay them side by side. the barrel will protect the stock.

Scope can stay on rifle. cabin pressure is not an issue.

leave the bolt in the same case. if you separate the bolt in another case you double the risk of being out of commission.

make sure you know the airline policy on rifle and ammo. Ammo tends to be the issue - can you take enough to do the job?
 
I have a serious corner welded aluminum case. Doesn't have wheels, though. Baggage compartment is inside the pressure hull, no different than passenger cabin.
You are allowed 5kg of ammunition in your checked luggage..
 
Plano GunGuard. Works and is vented.

I leave scope on rifle as you cannot bring the scope in the cabin anyways. Remember there are pets in the luggage hold so the environment is not extreme.

Almost all airlines will charge an oversized luggage fee for the case. Some will add a surcharge cause it is a firearm and needs special handling.

Any support gear you carry will add in extra luggage fees. Some are not bad. Some are very expensive. Add these costs when booking a flight.

The rifle needs a lock and the case needs to be locked. The locks need to have the TSB "keyed" or someway they can open as required for inspection.

Ammo is the problem. 5KG of 308 doesn't get you very far.

Jerry
 
thank, this is great information !

I was lookign at the plano as well, is this the model you refer to Jerry ?
http://www.planomolding.com/product.php?BCCID=126&PID=1329

I agree that 11pounds of 308, specially with 215 and 48gr of powder will not bring me far. I'm looking for a fellow shooter who will be driving there and have room on is F6 to bring extra ammo. I know that air Canada is charging an extra 100.00$ to handle a rifle and that extra charges may apply as well on oversized luggage $$$$$$ !!!!!!

I was also thinking at separating my barrel-action from my stock. Thanks for confirming my thought. I will leave the scope on rifle and rely on your experience.

Is this the CAbelas rifle case you specified:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Gun-Storage/Gun-Cases|/pc/104792580/c/104730480/sc/104368680/Cabelas-Armor-Xtreme-Molded-Double-Long-Gun-Hard-Case/1318394.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100211%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd1318395&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd1318395%3Bcat104368680

Jim, we drove to Raton...its was a 35 hours drive for me...and will never happen again !!
 
Yup thats the one...with a case that solid ..I have never had to dissasemble the rifle..it also came with three layers of foam so you can custom cut out your prefered shape.
They can be handled very rough and take a good beating... I spent alot of time looking at cases and they all seem to be made in the same place (look and feel wise at least for the black cases) (plano/pelican), lifetime warranty and four years of me abusing it and flying with it tells me that it is one solid well built case.
 
WG300 said:
I know that air Canada is charging an extra 100.00$ to handle a rifle and that extra charges may apply as well on oversized luggage $$$$$$ !!!!!!
Click to expand...

When I brought a rifle home (short flight Edmonton - Vancouver) they had the "last minute upgrade to business class" option. It was $130 to upgrade to business class and then they didn't charge the extra fee's for the rifle. $30 more and I get a nicer seat, the business lounge with free drinks and food, and free food/drinks on the plane. Totally worth it since I was going to be paying extra $$$ for the rifle anyways. Food for thought if you can get the upgrade for a decent price.
 
thanks again for the input, i may order a Cabelas case wright away depending on shipping cost as i'm close to....Montreal lol
 
J. that is the plano case. As with most things now, it is about availability. Canadian Tire was the last place I bought one as WSS stopped.

Now if you have a local Cabelas that can offer you a twin, have at it. Shipping such a case cross country gets real pricey fast.

Do note the weight of the plano. It is a big heavy pig all on its own. Tough and strong but can affect your oversized weight.

When I went to Raton, I loaded my case with rifle and support gear. Thank goodness no one weighed it as it was over weight. I just paid the overlength fee and brought to special luggage handling where they did the inspection. Make sure every coloured form and documentation you need is right there to view. If the paperwork is in order, ZERO hassles and a have a good flight. Get it wrong, you are going to figure out how many steps it takes to walk to and fro check in desks.

What really surprised me was how unexcited the clerks were about firearms. Just fill out the forms, show the license.... Pay your fees... down to special luggage handling... It's just another big box to them.

Jerry
 
WG300 said:
Hi,

i'm thinking of attending the US F-class nationals held in Phoenix in october and would like to have suggestion regarding the rifle case to be used to bring my rifle in a plane. Which model are you using ? What is the extra cost related to it if any ? Do you keep your scope with you inside the cabin as its pressurised ?

please feel free to provide any input as it would a first time.

regards

Jonathan L.
Click to expand...

FYI the cabin pressure is the same in the passenger area as it is in the cargo... only concern would be rough handling.
 
The airline will provide a multicolour form which is part of international airline procedure. Essentially, it let's them off the hook for anything going wrong with your gear and that you comply with all transport rules. They should tell you where each colour form goes. It better be in the right boxes when you get to customs. I locked and taped my cases AFTER customs and before it went on the plane.

Canada will want to see your PAL - they understand the registration is no more. Green cards is always nice to have handy so you don't get hassles about reimport on your return. Then I had the US match info to give a reason why I was traveling with firearms.

That's pretty much it on our side.

For the US side, you will need the form 6, invitation (not necessary but why open to a hassle). I also include event details and contact names. Leave nothing to the custom clerks imagination.

Be prepared to have all goods reviewed. Most of the time they just want to see the rifle BUT be prepared to open up every case and box - yes, they can search EVERY rd of ammo to confirm headstamp. I am really not sure what would happen if you wildcatted and had a "different" headstamp? ALL serial numbers to be clearly visible. I put all my keys in 1 place. You will be pressed for time to clear US customs AND make your connecting flight.

Also ask for clear instruction on where to return you baggage so they can connect to your plane... NOT some plane. Sometimes it is close to customs. Sometimes, it is no where near and have to run.

The process is actually very straight forward BUT stuff changes IN the airport. I almost put my gear on the wrong carousel and it would have ended up lost Luckily the clerk there had enough sense to ask where I was going and flight. They had changed the carousel number and only the clerks knew that.

If you don't know ASK. If you do know ASK anyways.

When going to Raton, I was literally that sprinter across the airport and almost had to "jump the ramp" into the plane. I had a 2 hour opening to make my connection.

Jerry
 
John;

Good idea to keep optics with you. My "Airline Approved" Browning Bruiser single rifle case now has two "somewhat" crushed corners.....one per trip...........it's not a Pelican but nevertheless would need to be dropped from some height or banged around pretty good to crush the corner. The primary reason that I got this specific single rifle case is that the dimensions fit within conventional luggage size limits and is thus not considered oversize. These specific cases are now discontinued. My next case will most likely be a pelican.

Brian
 
The last time I flew, the clerks specifically asked me if I was carrying the scope or other rifle related stuff onboard the plane. Now rules change constantly but it was forbotten on that trip.

YMMV.

Jerry
 
Ian, should i protect my trigger while the barrel-action is dismantled ? Should it still require to have a lock on it !!??

this plano case seems really interesting. Look like a strong case to me at a good price....for once lol
 
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