Rifle Case

P

PKTrusty

Private
Minuteman
Jun 8, 2025
16
3
Arizona
#1
I have a couple soft rifle cases that I have used in the past for a variety of firearms. I put together a rifle I plan to use for long range and dont want get it beat up during transit. I have a Daniel Defense Delta 5 and a Nightforce ACTAR 5-25 with a atlas bipod. Are people using pelicans or what do people use for hard rifle cases that they have a good experience with?

Thanks
 
#3
Back and forth to the range, soft case is fine. But, I like a hard case for overnight trips where the rifle might be piled in with a bunch of other crap. I don’t really worry what is sitting on top of a hard case. This isn’t an issue when the trip just calls for a rifle and a range bag.
 
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#5
You can pick up an Apachee 9800 from Harbor Freight for $100 when they go on sale...hard to beat at that price. The pluck foam in it is meh, but held up for a while for me. Ordered replacement foam Cobra Foam.

IMG_3361 2.jpg
 
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#7
I have a few Pelican 1720s for guitars and smaller rifles, but bought one of the large Vault series cases from Pelican and while it’s not as hardcore as the 1720s build wise, they’re also much cheaper, and I have good confidence it’d protect enough to do the job.

As mentioned, they’re a PITA to lug around (which is why I don’t think I’ve ever used mine lol).
 
#8
Maybe I will just stick with upgrade my softcase to a more padded one and see how far that goes. I dont see myself flying with it or needing something for that crazy. Will check out the 1720 and Apachee 9800 though. Thanks for the comment. I dont know that I would have checked out harbor freight. That is a good idea.
 
#9
PKTrusty said:
Maybe I will just stick with upgrade my softcase to a more padded one and see how far that goes. I dont see myself flying with it or needing something for that crazy. Will check out the 1720 and Apachee 9800 though. Thanks for the comment. I dont know that I would have checked out harbor freight. That is a good idea.
Click to expand...

I also have the HF, 3 actually, black, tan and green. they do the job well and like said above $100 on sale. They have a lot of smaller ones too great for ammo.
 
#11
I have soft cases for my RPR 308 (which doubles as the "prone platform/blanket")... and my currently built AR15. I also have Pelican like hard cases for other items which I normally don't have out on a day-2-day basis. But I'm starting to think twice about the hard cases.

See this video from Tom Grieve.....



What's yall's take on this? I'm wondering if the old "Guitar" case might actually still have some merit.... I can use generic back packs for the pistols (which kinda sucks because I often get packs with a firearm (SIG Tac Pack For example) but it has the logo on them. Can't use that. I generally don't care for things with logos on them because I don't want to do advertising for the company without compensation! :eek:

Anyway, thoughts?
 
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#12
The harbor freight ones are decent enough for weekend trips and such when you have a bunch of stuff to pile around it, while I don’t have their rifle sized case I have several smaller ones with electronics and such in. Honestly if I’m just running down to the range for a day hell I usually just sit my rifle in the back seat no case just grab and go, if I end up taking several rifles and pistols I’ll use soft cases so they don’t beat each other up.
 
#13
I’ve got a big heavy case- it SUCKs to carry around when it’s full. Thank god they had the foresight to put wheels on it.
Unless you’re worried about it getting run over I suggest a soft case or a cheap lighter plastic Plano. Lets you stack it reasonably but doesn’t add an extra 30 lbs to the scale on top of the 20+ pound rifles and bipods and silencers inside.
 
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#14
The only rifle I carry around in a hard case is my M107. It came in the case from Barrett, and I don't think a soft case would make that tank of a rifle any easier to transport. Otherwise, I don't find hard cases to be worth the weight, bulk, and cost for any reason other than air travel. I've driven across the country (Alabama to Wyoming) with rifles in the bed of my truck in soft cases and never had any issues. One of the ranges I go to requires driving a few miles back into the woods on coal mining roads that are full of ruts, mudholes, etc...again, soft cases have always been fine.
 
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#16
Soft case for the win! Unless I'm flying. The extra weight and size isn't worth it. You can get a nice soft case from Costco, Savior brand. It was been perfectly fine so far.
 
#17
Fx51LP308 said:
I have soft cases for my RPR 308 (which doubles as the "prone platform/blanket")... and my currently built AR15. I also have Pelican like hard cases for other items which I normally don't have out on a day-2-day basis. But I'm starting to think twice about the hard cases.

See this video from Tom Grieve.....



What's yall's take on this? I'm wondering if the old "Guitar" case might actually still have some merit.... I can use generic back packs for the pistols (which kinda sucks because I often get packs with a firearm (SIG Tac Pack For example) but it has the logo on them. Can't use that. I generally don't care for things with logos on them because I don't want to do advertising for the company without compensation! :eek:

Anyway, thoughts?
Click to expand...


This is a completely disingenuous video for clicks. They cannot search your car for firearms based on having a gun case unless having the gun violates a law. So unless you are in a state that does not allow firearms or you have a personal reason you cannot own a firearm the single purpose rule would not give them an ability to search.
 
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#18
waveslayer said:
Soft case for the win! Unless I'm flying. The extra weight and size isn't worth it. You can get a nice soft case from Costco, Savior brand. It was been perfectly fine so far.
Click to expand...
Another vote for the savior brand. Good stuff. I also picked up a

AIM FS-42 Folding Stock Bag https://www.milehighshooting.com/aim-fs-42-folding-stock-bag-tan/​

For the MPA chassis rifles I have with folding stocks. It makes the length shorter but cushions the rifle really well. Well made case. It holds a 20 inch rifle in an MPA ba comp with an OCL polonium on it with no issues.
 
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#19
I only use a Pelican type case when I am traveling by air and have to check my bag.

For back of the vehicle, I use something like this.
www.flambeauoutdoors.com

Long Gun Cases

Flambeau Outdoors Long Gun Cases
www.flambeauoutdoors.com

They are much lighter than a Pelican case and cheaper too.
 
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#20
I have a pelican and a harbor freight copy, they both work but the pelican is definitely better. The biggest difference is stiffer plastic on the pelican and the latches are so much better. If there’s pressure on the lid the hf latches are harder to pop open. It’s obviously not impossible, but it’s a big difference. The folding handle on the end for pulling the case on the wheels is sturdier on the pelican also which helps when I have a 26 pound rifle with added bs in the case
 
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#23
I’m really liking the rifle cases from Lakewood products. I have been using their bow cases for a few years now and just recently got a single and double rifle case from them. They are a perfect mix of a hard case and soft case
 
#24
Shifty6BR said:
Couple coats of plasti dip works very well to harden up that pluck and pull.
Click to expand...
Flex Seal works as well. I figure most of the high solids stuff similar to the old school undercoating/bedliner type stuff would work but I have used Flex Seal because I needed some repair and didn't have time to look for new foam. Now I just do it right off the start.
 
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#25
Maurygold said:
This is a completely disingenuous video for clicks. They cannot search your car for firearms based on having a gun case unless having the gun violates a law. So unless you are in a state that does not allow firearms or you have a personal reason you cannot own a firearm the single purpose rule would not give them an ability to search.
Click to expand...
I would never intentionally live in such a jurisdiction but if I did, I'd make certain I was "clean", make sure all of the cameras and mics were working, and I'd put every firearms related decal I could find on random cases, tool boxes, fuck...maybe I'd use ammo cans for tool boxes and first aid...fuck those guys. 4th amendment the fuck out of them.
 
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#26
I use Pelican 1750’s and 1720’s (for folding stock) for bolt guns. I make sure to only carry essentials in them to keep the weight down. Mag, bolt, rifle, can. That’s it. Every piece of foam you cut out of it, reduces the support for the rifle
 
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#28
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#29
DeathBeforeDismount said:
Hard cases are for flying.

Soft cases are for car/road trip

Armageddon Gear rifle cases are the gold standard.

I see people humping guns around in hard cases when they clearly aren't flying and generally they are retarded larpers. Shooters don't do that shit.
Click to expand...
Welp. You just cost me $310. Ordered the 58" Armageddon case. I am happy with my Harbor Freight case but lugging that heavy bitch around sucks when going to the range. I'll be traveling/flying with it, so I don't regret the purchase, but definitely not ideal for going to the local range. Thanks for calling me a "retarded larper".
 
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#33
Anyone know what the interior material of the Armageddon case is? Any concern putting a hot rifle in there. I always wait until mine cools down before putting it in my hard case out of concern about melting the foam. I don't run my rifle crazy hot, but I usually wait until it is just warm to the touch...not hot. Would be nice to be able to just toss it in there and roll.
 
#34
I have a couple Pelican cases from when I flew a lot. One for my AR, one for my DT SRS. Had them all within a pound of the 50 lbs limit. Rifle, mags, ammo, LRF, and some basic tools.

That shit stays in a backpack and softcase if I am not flying.
 
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#35
Case Club makes cases that are equivalent to the Harbor Freight Apache 9800. Can be bought with PE or convoluted foam. Can be bought on Amazon for $179.95. Which is less than what they sell for on the Case Club website. I highly recommend the PE foam. It supports more weight and is more durable. It's also easy to cut.

Contact paper or butcher paper can be used to mark-up the layout. A good snap-off blade knife can be used for the long cuts. A long filet knife, with a stiffer blade, for the curved/tight cuts.

There are 2 pieces of PE foam in the base. The top piece is 2.25" thick and the bottom is 1.25" thick. Both pieces are made up of separate layers of foam that are glued together. The top is made up of 4 layers and the bottom is 2 layers. The glued layers are easily cut/separated using a long flat blade. This allows you to adjust the depth of the cutout to account for different thickness in the chassis, barrel or scope mount. This helps prevent the weight of the rifle pressing the scope into the foam.

Screenshot 2025-08-05 at 8.59.45 PM.png



Screenshot 2025-08-05 at 9.11.00 PM.png



When I'm going to the range alone, I'll use a soft case. But when going with others and multiple rifles and gear, I'll use the hard cases.
 
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#36
flogxal said:
Harbor Freight house brand case, goes on sale a few times a year for a good price, comes with pick/pluck foam layer to tailor to contents, seals up sturdy.
Click to expand...
They're a good case for the money. I bought one during the last sale they had on them. OTD for under $100, perfect for traveling with luggage where I have to stack suitcases etc. on it.
 
#38
Soft cases are great at preventing dings and scrapes if you are the one moving your prize positions. However, if you are entrusting these prize positions to airport baggage handlers that don't give a damn about what might be inside choose a hard case. Which one you choose is up to your conscious and pocketbook.

When I was competing in years past, although not flying, I transported my Winchester 52B and Springfield M1A in a Pelican hard case. I knew the guns were protected and didn't worry about anything throwing there sight-in settings off.

A soft case is good for general trips to the range if you are the only one handling but hard cases are better when other people are handling. Weight is irrelevant when protection is the ultimate goal.

What is your willingness to accept damage caused by poor handling of others?
 
#39
B y r o n said:
Soft cases are great at preventing dings and scrapes if you are the one moving your prize positions. However, if you are entrusting these prize positions to airport baggage handlers that don't give a damn about what might be inside choose a hard case. Which one you choose is up to your conscious and pocketbook.
Click to expand...
Try to fly with a firearm in a soft case.
 
#41
hlee said:
I mean, you can do it. But, if the soft case has a gun in it, you just gotta put it a hard case…
Click to expand...
I mean...I get what you are saying but read that post again...."with a firearm in a soft case."

Soft case in a hard case is how I use to do it most of the time commuting to/from the oilpatch. I add in socks and underwear and t-shirts and whatever else until I'm max and have to start paying overweight. Almost always traveled with my 223Ackley and a 1911A1. I would just leave ammo stashed at the hotel lock-up in a locked plain Jane suitcase along with hard hat and such.

Hard cases are just generally a pain in the ass. I have a selection of various sizes from cases that can hold 5-6 rifles to ones that barely hold a Baby Beretta but I prefer the soft case for convenience.
 
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#43
Ichi said:
Case Club makes cases that are equivalent to the Harbor Freight Apache 9800. Can be bought with PE or convoluted foam. Can be bought on Amazon for $179.95. Which is less than what they sell for on the Case Club website. I highly recommend the PE foam. It supports more weight and is more durable. It's also easy to cut.

Contact paper or butcher paper can be used to mark-up the layout. A good snap-off blade knife can be used for the long cuts. A long filet knife, with a stiffer blade, for the curved/tight cuts.

There are 2 pieces of PE foam in the base. The top piece is 2.25" thick and the bottom is 1.25" thick. Both pieces are made up of separate layers of foam that are glued together. The top is made up of 4 layers and the bottom is 2 layers. The glued layers are easily cut/separated using a long flat blade. This allows you to adjust the depth of the cutout to account for different thickness in the chassis, barrel or scope mount. This helps prevent the weight of the rifle pressing the scope into the foam.

View attachment 8742065


View attachment 8742067


When I'm going to the range alone, I'll use a soft case. But when going with others and multiple rifles and gear, I'll use the hard cases.
Click to expand...
Are the straps over your bolt handle velcro?
 
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