When I was working in Australia transported my Smallbore and High power Target rifles back and forth at least 6 times in a Pelican. Sometimes via California to the East Coast other times other way via South Africa then Atlanta & home. Only issue was the latches are wide to allow taping with Duct Tape. Once did not tape them down and somebody opened as far as it would go with padlocks attached and no doubt felt around for something to steal. Rifle and it's bolt were untouched. This was pre 9-11 doubt if you can tape them down today. Case is still in good shape after a lot of air miles.
Other day fellow in our gun club was throwing away a Americase AT3 Gun, stickers and tape all over it you could hardly tell what kind of case it was. He said it had been to Africa and Back at least a dozen times. Took it home cleaned it off, needed new feet and one of the 4 latches was broken off. Called Americase they are sending me the parts no charge.
Either one is a good choice, however if I was going to drop one out of a Airplane think the Pelican would survive better, but perhaps not.
We have about given up on the Airlines. Raton trip bunch of us put our rifles in one Truck for the drive. If I had to fly by myself would ship the guns in a Pelican advance, travel without any guns. Friend who was traveling to the Silhouette Pistol Nationals tells the story Airline called in the Airport police to check his T/C Contender, make sure it was empty. Policeman did not know how to open it and would not let him show or even tell him how to do it. Missed his flight waiting for the supervisor who opened the gun and checked it empty soon as he picked it up.
Pelicans driving to Raton NM for Silhouette Nationals guns in the back of a truck we removed the foam insert, filled the case up with rifles in soft cases, stowed this way you are able to load 6 Lever Action rifles. That can work for a large lot of shotguns too. I drove 6 Parkers to the Southern that way.
Empty either one is real heavy put the Americase on the scale when cleaning it up. 30 pounds. Pelican may weigh even more
William
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