Shipping a rifle in gun case

[Lkwebb]

I am planning on shipping a rifle in a gun case. Do you think a rifle case like this and a benchrest rifle is okay to ship as is.... only reason I'm asking is it is a lil compressed. It's not bad it will close without a lot of resistance..
I just don't want it damaged.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've shipped in these boxes with a cardboard overpack box. I had the bolt handle broken off one rifle so remove the bolt and wrap separately. The plastic cases have been smashed, particularly on the corners. However, the rifles made the trip.

 

[joshb]

I tape a length of foam pipe insulation around the barrel with an extra 3-4 inches past the end. I’ve received guns where the barrel punched thru the case. ALWAYS pack the bolt separately , out of the gun, in foam or bubble wrap.

 

[Lkwebb]

I plan on definitely bubble wrapping the bolt separately. I have a additional barrel to ship with it but I can put it in the box outside the case..
I'll be putting the case inside a box...I'll tape the barrel case so it doesn't move as much..

 

[markT]

Deeply concerned about this little guy.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I would put it in that case then put the case in a larger heavy cardboard box with some serious packing. I would put some packing inside the black case to insure it does not move to either end of the gun case. and I would not be worried about getting the black case to close. it will be sort of an inner protection for the main package. I would tape the black plastic case semi closed. the key IMO is to secure the rifle inside the black case w lots of packing and go from there. you also have to be careful the styrofoam does not make mark on the finish because it will do that guaranteed!! wrap in soft cloth inside black case.

 

[TTE]

I tape a length of foam pipe insulation around the barrel with an extra 3-4 inches past the end. I’ve received guns where the barrel punched thru the case. ALWAYS pack the bolt separately , out of the gun, in foam or bubble wrap.

I use pool noodles from the dollar store. You can cut and tape as you need for the bolt, scope, etc.

 

[billshehane]

Never ship it without the rifle case in a cardboard box. You don't want it to look like a rifle case at all. I have film canasters 1/2 full of hard rubber to tape on to the muzzle then if they bounce it on the muzzle end it won't hurt the crown. For sure put the bolt in bubble wrap and place it under the muzzle end for more room under the barrel. Whoops, not through yet. I use 2" mono tape and wrap completely around the plastic case at and over each case latch ( including the case handle) . Insure it for what it's worth and let er rip. Has always worked for me after every mistake in the book.

 

[Lkwebb]

I plan on zip tying the case on each end ... to ensure it doesn't come open.... I'm just trying to get some ideas so I can ensure the individual gets a unbroken rifle lol I don't trust our shipping service from any company

 

[JSH]

All I can ad is, you can’t over package one. I am a firm believer in fiberglass tape too.
I cut cardboard to put inside the corners of such items.

 

[boltman13]

I shipped a rifle and extra barrel and put the rifle in a rifle case that looks like the one you plan on using. Bolt was separated, and extra barrel left in the tube it came in. Barrel was outside the cased rifle and all were in a very large heavy cardboard box. It was almost 70# and got to Texas in good shape. I used 2 large packages of shipping paper plus a small one from Walmart to pad the cased rifle and barrel inside the box.

 

[Lkwebb]

Deeply concerned about this little guy.
View attachment 1506345LOL no children were hurt during the picture takeing

 

[Walt Krafft]

Place some id inside the rifle case. Zip tie shut. Use stretch wrap to tie the extra barrel to the rifle case. Make sure nothing can move inside the package. Stretch wrap is very usefull inside packages to tie things together so they cant move.

 

[Lkwebb]

Place some id inside the rifle case. Zip tie shut. Use stretch wrap to tie the extra barrel to the rifle case. Make sure nothing can move inside the package. Stretch wrap is very usefull inside packages to tie things together so they cant move.

ill have to get some stretch wrap from work, only thing that sucks is ill have to take the rifle to the ffl let them get the info off of it. then package it up while on premise.

 

[leclairk]

My question is where do you get a cardboard box to put the hard case in? My local UPS has nothing and neither does my post office.

 

[Lkwebb]

My question is where do you get a cardboard box to put the hard case in? My local UPS has nothing and neither does my post office.

i went down to the florist and got 2 of there boxes . the boxes are each like 40 inches long and i pieced them together ...
you can order some off of amazon but who in the hell needs like a minimum of 20 or so boxes...

 

[Dave Berg]

My question is where do you get a cardboard box to put the hard case in?

Cameron Packaging in Lima, OH has a wide assortment of boxes specifically built for shipping firearms. I mailed (yes USPS) around 140 rifles and shotguns a few years ago and none were damaged at all.

The boxes aren't especially expensive but they come to you via UPS and the shipping is about as much as the boxes.

I used one box to ship a Weatherby from PA to Montana three times just in case the airline lost the one I took with me. Mailed it to myself in care of the outfitter.

 

[Shooter13]

I plan on zip tying the case on each end ... to ensure it doesn't come open.... I'm just trying to get some ideas so I can ensure the individual gets a unbroken rifle lol I don't trust our shipping service from any company

I shipped a gun but used a Pelican 1750 or 1720 case with 4 matching locks (single key) with no box. Arrived in great condition with no damage at all and used the USPS, I walked in carrying it and a couple of guys just started laughing, they knew what was in the case!! PO was no problem.

 

[K9TXS]

Invest in a better case, I have the same case and only use it to take the rifle in the truck on a short trip. The type of latches on that case are a POS. The case is very flimsy and not made for heavy duty use that baggage handlers give it. There are better cases on the market.

When you check it for the flight, besides using a padlock(s) on the case, also use plastic band strapping in 3 places. The tools for the strapping will easily fit into your checked bags. Or you could wrap the case in plastic wrap that you can buy from Home Depot or Lowes. Many people have their bags wrapped at airports before long flights.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Once you get it all boxed up, the next hurdle will be at the PO. Between the size and weight, plus extra due to the extra length, the PO charged me over $100 without insurance. My gunsmith managed to mail it back to me for $85 IIRC. Shipping rifles has gotten awful expensive lately.