Rifle case

[Papabear37]

Can anyone recommend a good rifle case that won't break the bank? Also, a source would be appreciated.
Thanks.

[bpet]

Sorry Papabear, you're going to have to give us a little more information such as:

Hard case/Soft case
Rifle length/type (scoped/unscoped)
Do you want to use it to carry more than one rifle
Is it to be used for carrying on aircraft, etc.

There are lots and lots of good, great, not so good and very expensive cases to pick from so a little more information would be helpful.

[longtooth]

Agree w/ bpet on more info.
Several months ago I posted my needs here & got enough info to make my choice & well worth the money.

[dicion]

No matter what your requirements are, Pelican makes it
.. Unless your requirement is a soft case

They're expensive though, but they're worth every penny IMO.

[Papabear37]

Sorry about the lack of information.The rifle is a Anschutz 1712 silhouette target rifle with a scope. I don't have it yet but it is probably the length os a hunting rifle with a 21 1/2" barrel (maybe around 40 inches). I don't plan on carrying it on an airplane, but I might in the future. I will only carry one rifle in the case. I know the Pelican is a good case but I think the price is high. Maybe I'm wrong about that. I prefer a hard case.
Thanks again for the response.
Vern

[bpet]

Ah, the information helps a lot.

Academy had a pretty nice aluminum case with pretty sturdy locks and nice padding on sale a couple of months ago for about $30. Not sure what they are going for now but I saw a couple on the shelf last time I was shopping for bullets. I came very close to buying one for my son but found something he wanted more. I seriously considered buying one for myself but am running out of room for storing gun cases.

Since you will be using it to protect a nicer scoped hunting rifle, I think a hard sided case is warranted. Just stay away from the cheaper plastic ones (heavier plastic/composite is fine) and be sure that the padding will prevent sliding inside the case. Strong latches are also a plus and water proof is always reassuring if you will be camping in a tent while hunting or carrying the case in the back of a truck. While I like the looks of some of the nicer leather cases, I can't see that they are very practical. I really wouldn't want to scratch my $180 leather gun case and then there's the rain issue and resulting mold on the leather. Enjoy looking/shopping and good luck.

[Papabear37]

That sounds like a great price. I looked in the Galveston Academy the other day and didn't see one like you described. Which Academy did you see the $30 one?
Thanks.

[bpet]

It was the Academy in Mesquite Tx. Haven't been there in a few weeks so can't say whether they still have them on the shelf. They do tend to be seasonal and I expect that as November gets closer, the selection will get better. You're right about the price - I'm still kicking myself for not buying one at the time.

[The Annoyed Man]

If you can't afford Pelican, SKB cases can sometimes be found for a little less. Both are excellent cases.

[Salty1]

"Academy had a pretty nice aluminum case with pretty sturdy locks and nice padding on sale a couple of months ago for about $30. Not sure what they are going for now but I saw a couple on the shelf last time I was shopping for bullets. I came very close to buying one for my son but found something he wanted more. I seriously considered buying one for myself but am running out of room for storing gun cases."

+1, I picked one of these up for my HD Shotgun, really a good value for $30.00

[The Annoyed Man]

I originally bought one of those inexpensive aluminum cases from Bass Pro. It was for a bolt action varmint rifle. A week later, the top panel started coming off. I brought it back for credit, and bought an SKB case. Sure, it was $188.95 instead of $39.95, but it holds two rifles safely, and it rolls on wheels mounted on one end with a pull handle on the other. It is VERY rugged, has TSA approved locks, and it seals against water. I use it to carry either or both of my varmint rifles. That kind of case may be overkill for you, but how much do you have invested in your rifle/scope combos? I have a lot of money in those varmint rifles.

My son bought a Boyt hard case, which is similar in design to the SKBs, for his RRA 24" Varminter. As I recall, that case was pretty close to $200 in price too, but that is a fine rifle with an expensive scope mounted on it, and well worth the extra protection.

In contrast, we also each have a home-built AR carbine with an Eotech sight on it. We transport those rifles in cheap ($39.95) soft black canvass carrying cases which have 4 magazine pockets on the side. Those ARs will take a beating, and so will the Eotech sights, but those cases are more about "grab and go" than they are about protecting a valuable rifle with an expensive scope mounted on it. It will protect an AR from dings and scrapes while transporting, but not from high drops, crushing, fluid immersion, etc., and they are certainly not TSA approved, if that is an issue for you.

So what are your requirements, and how valuable is the rifle/scope combo you need to protect? Determine that, and then spend accordingly.

[Papabear37]

Great information! I was considering one of the cheap Bass Pro cases but now I'll pass. I will have over $2K in my rifle so I guess it will be worth a $200 case. Thanks.

[The Annoyed Man]

Great information! I was considering one of the cheap Bass Pro cases but now I'll pass. I will have over $2K in my rifle so I guess it will be worth a $200 case. Thanks.

That's the spirit! We have a couple of grand invested into each of our varmint rifle/scope combos, and a $200 case seems worth the investment - as a $200 case is more affordable than fixing/replacing a wiped out rifle and scope.