Air Travel Scope Protection

[rdb8847]

I have traveled quite a bit with my rifle in a Pelican case. I have always removed the scope and put it in my carry on bag to prevent any jarring damage that might occur when the baggage gorillas toss the thing around on the tarmac. Wondering if others do the same or if the Pelican provides adequate protection? Any experiences or insight is greatly appreciated

Thanks
Roger

 

[TTE]

I traveled from the US to East Africa every year for more than 25 years. I never removed a scope from my rifle (1 scoped, 1 non scoped in the case).

If you have a good case, it should not be a problem and I have used several different (what I consider) good cases. Many of my clients used Pelican cases and never had a problem.

Anything can happen with air line travel, however IMO, if you use your Pelican case and the scope is damaged, your rifles will be damaged also.

 

[rdb8847]

Thank you guys for the insight.

 

[memilanuk]

Maybe not 25 years of flying to Africa with safari rifles, but I do have about 15 years worth of flying domestically and internationally with large heavy single shot target rifles - and very expensive scopes.

Remove the scope from the gun. In the past, I've occasionally seen TSA get weird (okay, weird-er) about rifle scopes in carry-on, trying to claim it's a "firearm part". You know that's BS, I know that's BS, and I personally think it was an individual with an axe to grind, but when you've already packed everything else and your checked luggage is already back behind security and you're trying to get through yourself... is not the ideal time to test that theory.

Remove the barreled action from the stock. Seen enough stocks cracked at the grip, even inside a hard case.

Either buy an extra foam insert for your hard case, and cut it spaces for everything, or get some of that pick-n-pluck foam to get the same effect. Resist the temptation to swaddle everything in extra clothes (I've seen it done) or otherwise create some sort of gun-case Jenga puzzle. Odds are good something will be obscured, TSA will want to open it when you're not around, cut your non-TSA locks, then not put things back the way you had them. Sometimes the case won't close, and it gets shoved to the side. YOU will arrive at your location... but your gun won't.

Plan ahead, and test how well your whole system return to zero when everything is put back and torqued down. 1/2 moa off, or much more.

 

[TTE]

Customized pool noodles can provide some extra protection ... barrel, cut for scope etc.