" Question" : Hard or Soft case ?
- Thread starter padawan
- Start date
Soft, because I can carry more guns from the truck to the bench if it's a soft cases. And they store much better at home, where space is limited.
I like the IDEA of a hard case, even bought one years ago. But I rarely use it. If i had more expensive guns I'd probably like em more, but for the guns I own a soft case is plenty of protection.
My only suggestion is to avoid Princess Auto for soft cases, they don't hold up very well over time.
I like the IDEA of a hard case, even bought one years ago. But I rarely use it. If i had more expensive guns I'd probably like em more, but for the guns I own a soft case is plenty of protection.
My only suggestion is to avoid Princess Auto for soft cases, they don't hold up very well over time.
I have a couple of these double rifle cases from Cabelas. I like them. They hold 2 rifles and have lots of extra storage for magazines or other gear.
Padding is decent. They are only 40" long though so if you're carrying extra large rifles use something else.
I like them because I can carry 4 rifles at a time with most accompanying gear in only 2 bags.
EDIT: Might not want to put 2 rifles with giant scopes in the same bag. One scope and one red dot or iron sights per bag would be best.
They're also on sale right now.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/136671/cabelas-tactical-gun-case-combo
Padding is decent. They are only 40" long though so if you're carrying extra large rifles use something else.
I like them because I can carry 4 rifles at a time with most accompanying gear in only 2 bags.
EDIT: Might not want to put 2 rifles with giant scopes in the same bag. One scope and one red dot or iron sights per bag would be best.
They're also on sale right now.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/136671/cabelas-tactical-gun-case-combo
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The Pelican Vault is about as heavy as the Nanuk case ( 990, 985) which is ridiculously high quality. Expensive, but quality.
With a soft case, I’d be worried about the scope all the time. I’m sure good ones are well padded.
Soft case for anything with iron sights, red dot, or tactical shotguns. Hard case for any rifle with expensive scope. As for recommendations, I think pretty much all my soft and hard cases are largely from Cabela's / BPS and they work well (unless if it's one of those obscure sized ones).
Nanuk cases are amazing across their full line. I have my Tikka T3x CTR in a 990. I'm a photo/video guy and own half a dozen Nanuk cases for all of that gear and have had a couple of those for over a decade. They have more miles on them than my 15 year old car and I've never even needed to replace so much as a wheel on any of them. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the car.
They're also a Canadian company.
I got a Pelican 1750 years ago when they were half the price they are now and it's still my go-to case for everything. Have a bunch of soft cases of varying sizes and it's always hit or miss if the rifle will fit in it. Everything will fit in my Pelican so that's never an issue.
If you can afford a quality hard case you will have it for life.
If you can afford a quality hard case you will have it for life.
I mostly use $15 Princess soft cases, tho I have an Allen, Rem, and Browning soft case as well. And One hard case I've had 5-6 years but never used. When I go to the range I take 4-5 rifles so 'they can take a break and chill', so 4-5 hard cases would equal a couple bricks of 'better' 22LR.
I have had both, Savior equipment is what i bring to the range almost every time. I have a long one, a mid size and a pistol one. The backpack straps allow me to potentially walk into the range with 5 or 6 rifles and my range bag in one trip. (2-3 rifles on my back in long bag, 2-3 rifles in medium bag) For the record i usually only bring 2 or 3 firearms now, cleaning takes me 3 days if i bring 6 rifles.
When i started out i was all over hardcases but they are bulky and dont fit as many rifles/ shotguns for the space. If you have a super high end rifle and no budget constraints get a custom pelican or nanuk with custom foam.
The only hardcases i still use are a short plano for my rifle in a Magpul pro 700 folding stock, and an SKB hardcase that i love and use for my B14R in ACC chassis.
I had already cutout the foam for the stock R700 action and Magpul pro 700, so i still use it for added protection with my Defiance. But its not very nice and the foam moves around unless you glue it which is a pain in the ass in my experience with previous hardcases, also the loadout seems to always change so hardcases need a good amount of thought before you get to cutting foam.
My skb case will only fit my B14R if i remove everything, not a problem because NF scope sits in an American Defense QD mount, and the Atlas BT65 CAL bipod/ garmin Xero is arca mounted. I like the SKB setup alot because the case uses foam pressure, not cutouts, to keep the rifle secure in transit. So it can be used with whatever rifle or shotgun fits in it. Its also a super cool feeling to me to be assembling my rifle at the range.
My TLDR is just go for a savior bag or two. They are great value, they have nice pockets, they have good straps for securing rifles and are lightweight and mine still look and work like new after a few years. Just be sure to pull the bolt out of Bolt actions in transit to avoid torquing it if the bag get roughed around (probably inconsequential but i do it cause it makes me feel better)
When i started out i was all over hardcases but they are bulky and dont fit as many rifles/ shotguns for the space. If you have a super high end rifle and no budget constraints get a custom pelican or nanuk with custom foam.
The only hardcases i still use are a short plano for my rifle in a Magpul pro 700 folding stock, and an SKB hardcase that i love and use for my B14R in ACC chassis.
I had already cutout the foam for the stock R700 action and Magpul pro 700, so i still use it for added protection with my Defiance. But its not very nice and the foam moves around unless you glue it which is a pain in the ass in my experience with previous hardcases, also the loadout seems to always change so hardcases need a good amount of thought before you get to cutting foam.
My skb case will only fit my B14R if i remove everything, not a problem because NF scope sits in an American Defense QD mount, and the Atlas BT65 CAL bipod/ garmin Xero is arca mounted. I like the SKB setup alot because the case uses foam pressure, not cutouts, to keep the rifle secure in transit. So it can be used with whatever rifle or shotgun fits in it. Its also a super cool feeling to me to be assembling my rifle at the range.
My TLDR is just go for a savior bag or two. They are great value, they have nice pockets, they have good straps for securing rifles and are lightweight and mine still look and work like new after a few years. Just be sure to pull the bolt out of Bolt actions in transit to avoid torquing it if the bag get roughed around (probably inconsequential but i do it cause it makes me feel better)
If a scope can't survive transport in a soft case how the hell is it gonna survive being hunted with?...
I use both, depends on how I am packing the truck and what for, target, hunting, and what guns are going. If it's being transported in the box or trailer, hardcase, if it's in the cab, soft case. I may pack truck with hardcases for going to hunting area, then switch to soft.
THIS. Hard cases SUCK balls. They take up WAY too much room, are heavy as balls and don't fit into vehicles well if you have more than one. I haven't used a hard case in 25 years.
If your rifle can't survive a soft case then how can it survive being taken into the field? This is a ridiculous notion. Rifle scopes and mounting systems survive large G-forces from every shot. They are designed to survive all kinds of abuse.
Darnit, you beat me too it.
