How do you transport yours?

Flapjack23 · December 21, 2011, 10:25 AM

I've got a Citori on the way for Christmas, bought a decent soft sided case for it. While I was at the store looking for the case (got a Boyt that fits it nice), the saleswoman suggested that most people use a hard side breakdown case to transport their O/U. I mostly hunt, not shoot skeet. How do the hunters here transport theirs, in a soft/hard case assembled, or disassemble and put in a breakdown case?

Thanks,

Andy

PetahW · December 21, 2011, 10:58 AM

I've found that the vehicle space available makes the difference, along with the hunter's druthers.

A long/padded soft case, like a Boyt, allows the gun to be transported whole, allowing E-Z withdrawal for use w/o assembly and attendant wear from constant assembly/disassembly.

The luggage case is much more compact for stowage, usuallu a bit longer then the barrels, and makes a nice presentation for showing the gun - but the disassembled gun requires a longer process to get ready, each/every time, which might be a PITA after awhile.

YMMV.

I have quite a few different guns I use, so a take-down case ( I like/use a leg-o-mutton ) works for me because I may use any one gun only a few times each season.

.

oregunner · December 21, 2011, 11:09 AM

Just don't store it in a soft case. The gun needs to breathe. I use silicone gun socks before they go in the safe. It keeps them from getting dinged up.
Mark

BigJimP · December 21, 2011, 11:31 AM

In and out of a vehicle - I use a hard sided take down case ...and Browning has a lot of options / I like their hard sided cases. If you have 4 guys and 6 or 8 guns ...the shorter hard sided cases are easier to handle in a SUV. The soft sided cases - where guns are assembled / and full length are a little tougher to transport in a car or even an SUV because of the length.

In and out of a blind / or a boat to and from the blind --- I've always used a soft sided case with the gun assembled.

So for hunting / I generally have both.

To and from the clays ranges ...I use a hard sided breakdown case.

TheKlawMan · December 21, 2011, 01:18 PM

Jim raises a valid point, which is how much space is in your vehicle and how much space the case will take. Unless space is an issue, the Boyt is supposed to be a great case. I am between going with a signature Boyt or a Browning hard case and it will be 100% for clays. One perspective is that some don't like having to assemble a gun when they get to the range which is why one shooter uses a Boyt non-take down case for transporting his K gun to the range.

oneounceload · December 21, 2011, 02:22 PM

For long trip where I am carrying it in and out of hotels, lots of things in the back to bump it, I use a hard case (breakdown); but for a trip to the club, a sleeve is all I use

Flapjack23 · December 21, 2011, 04:43 PM

Very good points on trips and space...I think I should look at a hard sided case also. Even a hard take down case to and from "camp" and the soft Boyt while hunting. Never thought of some of the harm I could do even going in and out of a hotel or cabin while unloading.

Thanks,

Andy

Flapjack23 · December 21, 2011, 05:01 PM

oregunner, I like the sock in the safe idea. Never had a nice gun, I'm going to get a few so it doesn't get banged up.

Pahoo · December 21, 2011, 05:17 PM

Generally the nicer/expensive shotguns, needs more protection. however, well padded soft cases are more suitable for most hunting shotguns. Hard cases tend to take up more room than they deserve but that is how they are built. Personally, I don't like the idea of having to disassemble and reassemble my shotgun and in the field, could pose a safety problem. ....

I know a guy that hunts with a Browning douible 20, that has some engraving and beautiful wood and it's always in a soft padded case.
One common problem is that that folks don't pay attention to the length of their guns and just buy what they feel shoudl fit. .....

Be Safe !!!

TheKlawMan · December 21, 2011, 07:12 PM

Whatever you get, make sure it fits. Often a 48" case is to short for a gun even if it is not quite 48". Take into account extended chokes if you use them.

December 21, 2011, 10:25 AM	#1
Flapjack23 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Location: Yale MI Posts: 163	How do you transport yours? I've got a Citori on the way for Christmas, bought a decent soft sided case for it. While I was at the store looking for the case (got a Boyt that fits it nice), the saleswoman suggested that most people use a hard side breakdown case to transport their O/U. I mostly hunt, not shoot skeet. How do the hunters here transport theirs, in a soft/hard case assembled, or disassemble and put in a breakdown case? Thanks, Andy

December 21, 2011, 05:17 PM	#9
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	One size does not fit all !!! Generally the nicer/expensive shotguns, needs more protection. however, well padded soft cases are more suitable for most hunting shotguns. Hard cases tend to take up more room than they deserve but that is how they are built. Personally, I don't like the idea of having to disassemble and reassemble my shotgun and in the field, could pose a safety problem. .... I know a guy that hunts with a Browning douible 20, that has some engraving and beautiful wood and it's always in a soft padded case. One common problem is that that folks don't pay attention to the length of their guns and just buy what they feel shoudl fit. ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

December 21, 2011, 10:58 AM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	I've found that the vehicle space available makes the difference, along with the hunter's druthers. A long/padded soft case, like a Boyt, allows the gun to be transported whole, allowing E-Z withdrawal for use w/o assembly and attendant wear from constant assembly/disassembly. The luggage case is much more compact for stowage, usuallu a bit longer then the barrels, and makes a nice presentation for showing the gun - but the disassembled gun requires a longer process to get ready, each/every time, which might be a PITA after awhile. YMMV. I have quite a few different guns I use, so a take-down case ( I like/use a leg-o-mutton ) works for me because I may use any one gun only a few times each season. .

December 21, 2011, 11:09 AM	#3
oregunner Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: Oregon, of course Posts: 136	Just don't store it in a soft case. The gun needs to breathe. I use silicone gun socks before they go in the safe. It keeps them from getting dinged up. Mark

December 21, 2011, 11:31 AM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	In and out of a vehicle - I use a hard sided take down case ...and Browning has a lot of options / I like their hard sided cases. If you have 4 guys and 6 or 8 guns ...the shorter hard sided cases are easier to handle in a SUV. The soft sided cases - where guns are assembled / and full length are a little tougher to transport in a car or even an SUV because of the length. In and out of a blind / or a boat to and from the blind --- I've always used a soft sided case with the gun assembled. So for hunting / I generally have both. To and from the clays ranges ...I use a hard sided breakdown case.

December 21, 2011, 01:18 PM	#5
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Jim raises a valid point, which is how much space is in your vehicle and how much space the case will take. Unless space is an issue, the Boyt is supposed to be a great case. I am between going with a signature Boyt or a Browning hard case and it will be 100% for clays. One perspective is that some don't like having to assemble a gun when they get to the range which is why one shooter uses a Boyt non-take down case for transporting his K gun to the range.

December 21, 2011, 02:22 PM	#6
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	For long trip where I am carrying it in and out of hotels, lots of things in the back to bump it, I use a hard case (breakdown); but for a trip to the club, a sleeve is all I use

December 21, 2011, 04:43 PM	#7
Flapjack23 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Location: Yale MI Posts: 163	Very good points on trips and space...I think I should look at a hard sided case also. Even a hard take down case to and from "camp" and the soft Boyt while hunting. Never thought of some of the harm I could do even going in and out of a hotel or cabin while unloading. Thanks, Andy

December 21, 2011, 05:01 PM	#8
Flapjack23 Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2009 Location: Yale MI Posts: 163	oregunner, I like the sock in the safe idea. Never had a nice gun, I'm going to get a few so it doesn't get banged up.

December 21, 2011, 07:12 PM	#10
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Whatever you get, make sure it fits. Often a 48" case is to short for a gun even if it is not quite 48". Take into account extended chokes if you use them.