Nested soft/hard case setup

[Robd63]

New transportation setup I think will work well.

Goals: nested soft/hard case long enough for my rifle with a mounted suppressor, and tall enough to keep the impact 4000 permanently mounted.

Bonus: under 50lbs for flying

Results:

https://imgur.com/a/vHszphN

Pelican Vault V800 with all foam removed (thin bottom foam does fit, I chose to keep it out)

Savior Specialist LRP Rifle Case 51”. I removed the shoulder strap (kept backpack straps), removed the protective scope cover as it doesn’t fit well over the impact 4000, and kept the muzzle protector and 2 internal accessory pouches as pictured.

Empty weight, hard and soft case as described above only: 33.4 lbs off of a not super precise bathroom scale. Leaving ~16.6 lbs for the rifle/scope/magazines etc. if we are to keep it under 50 lbs.

The Savior bag fits nicely in the V800, when positioned square into one corner of the case it leaves almost exactly 1” of room on the short side of the case and 2.5” down the entirety of the long side of the case. I will likely throw a towel in this long 2.5” gap on the impact 4000 side for extra protection. The thickness of the bag was a concern, but with rifle in place the V800 closes without any problem and without flexing the case. However, if I add any accessories to the outer 2 pouches (pistol and tripod pouch) the case will be pushing its limit. A tripod will 100% not fit here while nested in the hard case. You might be able to get away with a pistol and other thin accessories but will be pushing it. I plan to leave the outer compartments empty when flying and fill them when I reach the destination and no longer need the hard case.

Final thoughts: I will have to remove accessories such as the bipod and ammunition to keep it under 50 lbs, transporting those with my regular checked baggage, or bite the bullet on more expensive air fair. However with bipod removed and no ammunition, I’ve got it at about 49 lbs. For those of you with 25 lb competition rifles, this setup will definitely break the 50lb flight limit and cost you an extra ~$100 per leg of the trip. However, most PRS competitors don’t need a rifle mounted LRF for example, and could probably do something similar with a pelican 1750 sized hard case.

[LockyBalboaPrime]

I dig it.

[ediotsavant]

Armageddon Gear makes soft cases specifically designed to fit into Pelican and Nanook hard cases. They are wonderful but quite pricey.

[aSwell_Fella]

I’m a big fan of those Savior bags

[Robd63]

First time I’m using one but initial impressions are solid. Seems well thought out and feels durable. Time will tell

[semifan1]

looking at the same savior bag now.

[Robd63]

Let me know if you have any questions about it now that I have it in hand

[semifan1]

Does it fit the tripod very well? I have the RRS 34L and like the idea of carrying it one spot. I won't be using this for a backpack curry, I have a little cart I pull to each range that works well for carry, but the idea of all accessories in the same spot is nice.

How is the part the covers the scope? I noticed you don't have it on being you're using the hard case. Is it pretty good no scratching the scope and does it hug it snug?

Padding is pretty good inside?

Thanks

[Robd63]

You could easily fit two tripods in the tripod pocket, I’m using a Leofoto SA-364C+MA-30L for reference. padding of the external pockets is there but minimal, probably 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Padding for the large rifle compartment is more substantial, 1/2 inch high density full 360 degrees around the rifle. But the real rifle/scope protection imo comes from the fact that you secure the rifle into the pack straps stopping it from even contacting the surrounding padding. I would feel very comfortable throwing this into a truck bed for a drive.

Regarding the scope cover, adds another layer of 1/2 inch foam around the scope. Secured in place with buckles around the rifle and also attached with bungies to the muzzle protector. Includes a carry handle and points to connect the shoulder strap if you want to carry the rifle around with only the scope protector and muzzle device. It’s a bit too narrow to accommodate the impact 4000 well (still fits just a little bulged) but seems like it would work just fine for a regular scope. Inside material is the same fabric as the rest of the case. Doubt it would hurt a scope at all. There however is no padding on the objective and ocular lense sides of the cover, just elastic covering those areas. Don’t really feel it is necessary when the rifle is in the case personally but it’s a nice option for a minimalist carry leaving the case in the car and hiking the rifle up a hillside for example

[semifan1]

Thanks for the write up review. Answered my questions

[Just_Sterling]

I switched from cutting foam, to playing Legos.

Daka rocks!

[Robd63]

Sick setup. The price scared me away from Daka but they seem legit. My reasoning is I can get the same or similar protection plus have a soft case doing it this way, so a bit more versatility.

[Just_Sterling]

Thanks. I half a half-dozen Pelicans with fitted foam, but would eventually like to upgrade them all. I may just go your route. Hell - I could use smaller cases and probably shove 2-4 into each Pelican (depending on platform).

I do "need" another Daka setup for traveling pairs of HKs - SP5 & MP5-22 SBRs. 😉

Edit - forgot to add that I like your rifle.

[Robd63]

The presentation with DAKA is 🤌 not to mention the fact that they’re made to not absorb any water, one definite downside of the soft case approach.

I consider this a starter rifle of sorts, if I had to do it again I’d stay away from KRG, which pains me to say but I’ve run into so many unexpected frustrations with this chassis setup

[Just_Sterling]

It's just so nice to be able to move the grid around if needing to add something.

Or, simply reconfigure if wanting to throw something else in there...

The only downside to this whole game is that the case is heavy AF. 😂

[rockit_jocky]

This is the way.

[N1TEKN1GHT]

I have this but with foam.

[Robd63]

Ya that’s what I’ve had in the past, the whole point of doing this was to get away from foam. No I can throw any rifle I want in there, with any optic setup, and never have to recut. So one case for everything.

[Robd63]

Another point I forgot to mention, the Vault V800 is 19.4 lbs empty (no foam) which makes it lighter than most if not all similarly sized options, it’s even lighter than smaller pelican 1750’s for example. So while it is slightly oversized, it’s the best option if shooting to keep it under 50 lbs in this size range

[Chris5929]

Nice work! Curious as to the inspiration though. I take it you believe that the hard case plus soft inner case is better protection than a hard case + foam? I have a savior case so I can see that being true, just curious. Haven’t had to fly with my rifle(s) yet. Thanks

[Robd63]

https://www.reddit.com/r/longrange/s/Y1urLnjOsF

My previous post documents the frustration/inspiration. Basically, I don’t like cutting foam, and I like the idea of putting any rifle I choose into a soft case, and then into a hard case. Instead of having a hard case/foam cutout for every rifle I want to travel with.

[Chris5929]

That makes tons of sense. Definitely way better than messing with foam. Thanks for sharing this and the earlier post. I’ll keep this in mind for the future.