Would prefer a dual purpose hard bag that I can check and break my gun down and still pack most of my gear too. Thanks.
Check with your airline for their regs. but I'm pretty sure the gun has to be in its OWN lockable case. Ammo can be in the case but has to be by itself in the original box or boxes (not loose). I haven't flown in a couple of years so things may have changed. Check with your hunting buddies to see if they have one you can borrow.
I flew last year with delta. No issues. Used a pelican case. Put gear in case as well. Lock in all holes. Don't use tsa locks. I recommend a key lock with all locks keyed the same. I printed the airlines firearm rules and had copy in the case, should there have been any confusion and it had to be opened in front of someone.
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I have an Impact Case company ICC that is fantastic. You can roll over it with a tractor trailer and it holds up. Number on in my book.
Pelican is darned hard to beat.
I've got a pelican also. No issues with it. I don't have any relevant info on any others.
Just make sure whatever you get it is a sturdy one. Pelican, Boyds, etc.
Make sure you have a tsa lock in every lockable hole on the case or you'll get pulled off the plane like me .... And have to fly another day. 2 holes means 2 locks lol
4 locks required last time I flew
Having being both a LEO assigned to an airport for 4 years and a customer service rep for an airline as a retirement job after that I'll state unequivocally that when this comes up every year the info posted is often flawed. Every airline will have a printed Contract of Carriage and printed regs for flying with a weapon. TSA will also. Read them, follow them, and get to the airport an hour earlier than recommended and you'll be fine.
Pelican
I personally use TSA locks because if the powers that be want to check your firearms they will cut a regular lock if you aren't available to unlock it.
Then your gun doesn't move until you get a lock back on the case and that might be after it's missed your flight. My recommendation is put two or maybe three locks on it.
Plano has some decent lower cost alternatives to Pelican. There are very cheap Plano's (avoid) and some very decent Plano's. My Plano has served me well on flights to and from RSW to CMH and TPA to DEN as the most recent. BTW - I never used TSA locks but I last flew in 2022 so things may have changed but the printed regs will let you know. The biggest problem some have is flying into a "blue state" and discovering that they are not allowed to possess the weapon. More common with handguns.
Amazon has a Plano case similar to mine for $126.83. My 870 broken down, 10 shells and several accessories fit nicely. TSA had me and several others standby during their inspection. Really no problem in either Tampa or Denver during my Merriam safari. Allowing yourself plenty of time is the key.