I have a few old/cheap soft gun cases for my shotguns and scoped rifles and noticed it might be time for an upgrade as most of them are falling apart.

Any suggestions on both soft and hard gun cases that are good value purchases? I don't mind spending more if it's for high quality but I'm also not a brand snob and need to pay crazy money just because it has brand "X" on it.

Typical applications would be shotgun, scoped rifles, and an AR-15.....all carried in a pickup.

I have two Pelican Vault double rifle cases, I think they were about $200 each. I've taken rifles to Africa, Canada and Mexico with these cases. They are damn tough and my rifles were in perfect condition each time I traveled with them. The only con I have with them is they are heavy, even when empty! But you can't beat the quality, durability, and protection they provide.

I've gone to these.

Midway waxed canvas case

$50-ish and they last forever

I use the cheap hard plastic interior foam cases from academy. Not sure id check them on a plane, but perfectly fine in a vehicle. Can stack them, throw other luggage on top etc.

Check out the Harbor Freight cases. I think they're branded Apache. Plastic molded and rolling.

dahouse said:

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I've gone to these.

Midway waxed canvas case

$50-ish and they last forever

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All out of stock…

91AggieLawyer said:

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Check out the Harbor Freight cases. I think they're branded Apache. Plastic molded and rolling.

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Check out the Harbor Freight cases. I think they're branded Apache. Plastic molded and rolling.

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Seems like once a year they go on sale for $99.

But honestly I have two hard cases that are good for plane travel and being durable, but you end up having to put them inside the truck for stops at restaurants etc so the larger case can get annoying.

And normally an additional coupon. Also Magpul makes their DAKA system for them.

Here's what I'm doing…..

Pelican 1750 with custom foam.

Second vote for the Pelican Vault. I got one as a rebate with a Daniel Defense AR I bought a few years ago. It's a tank.

Sazerac said:

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I use the cheap hard plastic interior foam cases from academy. Not sure id check them on a plane, but perfectly fine in a vehicle. Can stack them, throw other luggage on top etc.

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I have checked these on a plane dozens of times with nary an issue. Spend more if you want to, but these will work. Hell, I think my most travelled case is molded plastic walmart special from the late 80's.

CTGilley said:

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Check out the Harbor Freight cases. I think they're branded Apache. Plastic molded and rolling.

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I'm almost positive that I read somewhere, these are rebranded Pelican cases

FSGuide said:

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CTGilley said:

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Check out the Harbor Freight cases. I think they're branded Apache. Plastic molded and rolling.

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I'm almost positive that I read somewhere, these are rebranded Pelican cases

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They are not. Thinner plastic, slightly different dimensions. But pretty close overall.

Pelican is pretty much the Gatorade of cases - everything is going to be compared to them, so consider them the top of the line.

I have a Game Winner from Academy that is hell for stout - every bit as solid as a Pelican IMO, and it has served me well travelling back and forth to CO. But it's heavy, like any really good hard case.

The Apache ones from HF are good, especially for the price.

Any other off brands/Yeti/etc that are comparable to the Pelican will be equally as good.

Like anything else, you can spend as much as you want for whatever status symbol you feel like you need on hard cases.

I rarely use a soft case anymore, but a good waxed canvas one that zips open all the way will be very user friendly and last a while. Stay away from cases that you have to stab the gun in from one end, especially if they are foam lined. That foam lining won't last long in my experience.

schmellba99 said:

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FSGuide said:

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CTGilley said:

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Check out the Harbor Freight cases. I think they're branded Apache. Plastic molded and rolling.

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I'm almost positive that I read somewhere, these are rebranded Pelican cases

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They are not. Thinner plastic, slightly different dimensions. But pretty close overall.

Pelican is pretty much the Gatorade of cases - everything is going to be compared to them, so consider them the top of the line.

I have a Game Winner from Academy that is hell for stout - every bit as solid as a Pelican IMO, and it has served me well travelling back and forth to CO. But it's heavy, like any really good hard case.

The Apache ones from HF are good, especially for the price.

Any other off brands/Yeti/etc that are comparable to the Pelican will be equally as good.

Like anything else, you can spend as much as you want for whatever status symbol you feel like you need on hard cases.

I rarely use a soft case anymore, but a good waxed canvas one that zips open all the way will be very user friendly and last a while. Stay away from cases that you have to stab the gun in from one end, especially if they are foam lined. That foam lining won't last long in my experience.

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This is true.

I will say that when you get the Vault it is not as sturdy as the traditional Pelican. Other than cosmetics I would say that the Apache is functionally the same as the Vault. I have the Vault and have use both the othes. I put the DAKA in my Vault and love it. I reccomend the HF to anyone that is water resistant vs waterproof. The Vault is also only water resistant.

How much do you charge for a custom foam for a 1750?

I have a few hard cases, but have gravitated towards soft cases over the last few years.

I like the boyt soft cases the best.

Condition 1 is a Texas based company. Their hard cases are comparable to Pelican, and they've sponsored the WTF run-n-gun for years, if that kind of thing is important to you.

Have quite a few small handheld cases for work, the HF cases seem to use cheaper materials in the hinges compared to Pelican.

Keep an eye on Field Supply, They will have good prices on cases. They don't have much today, but it changes all the time. I have bought some pelican gear boxes from them.

https://www.fieldsupply.com/gear/gun-cases-field-boxes/shooting.html

I also have a HF Apache rifle case, (mainly bought it for airline travel). Seems well built and heavy. However when I'm throwing gear in the truck for a weekend trip I usually use my plastic plano cases I bought at Academy.

Smeghead4761 said:

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Condition 1 is a Texas based company. Their hard cases are comparable to Pelican, and they've sponsored the WTF run-n-gun for years, if that kind of thing is important to you.

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I have one of their pistol cases. Solid and I like their latch system better than the other brands.

I like the idea of using a guitar case and custom cutting foam.

These look like they would fill the bill.
https://www.saviorequipment.com/products/ultimate-guitar-case-single-rifle-case

The FDE kind of ruins the concealment factor.

Doc how do you cut the foam? Those lines look great. Wire cutter?

Tumble Weed said:

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I like the idea of using a guitar case and custom cutting foam.

These look like they would fill the bill.
https://www.saviorequipment.com/products/ultimate-guitar-case-single-rifle-case

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The plus side of "guitar cases" is that it's camoflage.

The minus side is you're making it look like something that is a)valuable, and b) easy to pawn/sell.

The waxed canvass cases remind me of hunting with my grandpa. We would drive in his '76 CJ to our drop off point. Kept our guns in the case (bolt open) with it unzipped just enough to get them out. You know, just in case you jumped something on the way in.