ORIGINAL: Rick James
Guys looking at SKB........please don't buy the freedom case unless it will only see the inside of your vehicle. We have several that arrived at the shop new last year that were cracked in shipping.........I can't imagine what a good toss by the airline baggage crew would do to one of these. Spend the extra $$$ and get the higher end case from SKB........just an FYI.
You know its funny how much more built up the Freedom cases are than say the $30 cheapo Planos or Flambeaus... yet, the Freedom case specifically lists in the specs that it is NOT for airline use. All the meanwhile, Plano says that its $30 case is airline ready...
A friend took my Dakota 97 in 330 Dakota to Africa with him. Had it in an SKB case with his Styer 30/06. One of the heavy handed baggage handlers apparently toted it up the air traffic control tower and threw for distance. The drop acctually sheered the action screw on the Dakota (which is the weakest part of an otherwise SOLID rifle), and his S&B scope was moved a full 1/2" in its rings on the Styer. Nothing is really airline proof.
Another case worth a look:
Pelican.