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New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:09 am
by vtwarthog
I just bought a new rifle (browning micro hunter 308- 6lbs 2 oz. ) and i'm thinking of building a hard sided case for it. What kind of foam is used in gun cases? Where to buy it. Perhaps I should just buy a whole case? I'm going to a gun show in burlington Vt next weekend. I'll wait til after the show to make the decision. Bound to see/learn something there.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:41 am
by John *.?-!.* cub owner
In my area dealer prices are always cheaper than the gun shows. You might also want to look at cheaperthandirt.com

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:50 pm
by vtwarthog
Thanks John, they had a bulldog case that was cheaper than I could make it for. Great site. I'm going to use it often.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 6:57 pm
by BigBill
I would try; www.midwayusa.com Your looking for the foam for gun cases.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:27 pm
by cub4466
might try mid south shooting supplies or natchezs

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:31 am
by vtwarthog
Strange. Neither the midway site or the cheaper than dirt site had "safari slings" in their database??? They are both great sites with good prices and most of the stuff one would want. I prefer a safari sling because I would rather "wear a gun" and have both hands free while moving than to carry one.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:20 am
by BigBill
You have to watch http://www.midwayusa.com for there specials and clearances too. Right now they had a special on wolf ammo. I think the normal person can sign up for the email sales.

Good quality slings aren't cheap. I have a really good sling on my remington 700 in 338wm. I hunt in VT with it.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:19 pm
by P B G
I've made cases for a few guns, particularly take down's and shotguns. Which the generic cases are far too large, why have a case 8" longer than the gun and wide when you can have a nicely fit case.

For padding there are a few options, you can get eggshell foam, or other open cell foam from fabric stores. It is very soft and padded, and works like most generic cases where the foam squeezes around the gun.

I prefer a fitted case though, so I use a firmer foam, namely carpet padding or rebond foam. Which is closed cell. I then cut the sections to fit the case, to full depth. The bottom layer will not be cut further. But then the remaining layers are cut to the general outline of the gun, and all layers of foam are layered in place with 3M spray adhesive. Once those layers dry in place you can cover it with felt using spray adhesive and working in the cut out first. Then once you get the cut out layered smoothly you can glue it to the flat areas, don't spray the flat areas at first or it will be hard to work.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:19 pm
by vtwarthog
Thanks RBG. I did not have much luck at the outdoor gun shows but I was able to find 2 safari slings. I think I am going to build the case as you described. I have build a few cases for take down recurve bows and arrow &quiver cases. The gun is only 39" long and I want cutouts for two clips and a box of shells. Possibly a place for the bolt as well? I'll probably make the case 44" x 12" or so. What is rebond foam and where do i get it. My wife has a piece of black felt large enough for the box. Or even dark green might look good. Do you have any pictures of your cases?

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:02 pm
by P B G
Rebond is carpet padding its squishy but more firm. I do have pictures somewhere. I suspect they are on my old computer, which I have to plug in soon to get stuff off for work. I'll try do get around to that soon.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:31 pm
by daddydip
try a medical store , the foam they use under bed ridden patients is basically the same as in my gun and bow cases.the raised dimples are about the same except my gun case foam is grey and the stuff at the medical supply is lighter in color,but nice and dense as for protection. hoppes used to be three miles up the road in sadsburyville and my cousins worked there so all my gun cases came out of there. i'm going to check if they are still located over there and what their product line is. :?:

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:07 pm
by vtwarthog
I've got the foam cut out. I made the box joint hinges today. Tomorrow I'm going to rough out the sides.

Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:33 pm
by vtwarthog
Well I finally got the gun case done. see picts below. My first try with wooden hinges. light wood is marine plywood, dark wood is african mahogany. Green heavy felt over foam. I had most of the materials laying around. The felt cost $7.00.

So far rifle sited at 25 yards for 2" high. It holds dime size groups set at 1.5 power with very little recoil.
I love it. I have a 1.5 x 5 Thompson Center variable scope on it which is the same scope I use for my black powder rifle.

Laarge bunch of us headed headed to camp on the 27th. Plenty of new equipment to plaly with/site in.
My son bought one of those LED/hallogram sites to install.


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Re: New Rifle, need case.

Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:49 pm
by daddydip
That's one nice looking case, congrats on your effort.