packing a Flintlock rifle for shipping

[Griz44Mag]

I am eventually going to sell a flintlock rifle and going to have to pack it for shipping. Looking for ideas on the container it ships in. I can pack it with bubble wrap no problem. It would seem I need something long enough for the rifle and small enough so it doesn't rattle around inside.

I had to ship a very rare WWII rifle across the country once.
I used 2X4 studs and 1/2" plywood to build a long skinny wood box. I rolled the rifle up in an old blanket so it fit firmly and securely in the box. I put enough screws in the plywood that if you decided to open it you definitely needed a screw gun. If the gun is that valuable - it's a small investment to make sure it gets there in one piece.

 

[erstrauss62]

Any idea aprox how much to ship.Im in Nevada.It may go to Tennessee or Kentucky. I have a gentleman looking for a buyer there.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Any idea aprox how much to ship.Im in Nevada.It may go to Tennessee or Kentucky. I have a gentleman looking for a buyer there.

Take an educated stab at the final size and weight of your box and call USPS, FEDEX or UPS and get quotes. Expect 60-70 dollars for overlength boxes.
And Yes - you can ship long guns and all black powder guns through the US Mail.

 

[erstrauss62]

I will have to check on insurance too each one of them probably has a different rate

 

[user 51067]

Take it to a UPS "pack and ship." That way THEY are responsible.

 

[jimairwin]

Sorry I'm not the muzzle loader guru like you all. But I would be afraid to take the barrel or the lock off of this I just don't know enough about it

Assuming a longrifle here: Absolutely DO NOT remove barrel from stock! You create a long fragile piece rattling around with a heavy stiff piece! The barrel in place reinforces the stock against breakage. TOTW used to ship in triple weight boxes with plastic film over the gun and space between box & gun filled with spray foam. Really stiff and light weight. Whatever you do, be sure the rifle can't rattle around inside, and there are several inches at each end and that the rifle has a few inches between it and the inside of the box surfaces. Newsprint is a very poor packing material, BTW. Loose peanuts are also poor, gun will move around inside. Tightly packed can work OK.

 

[erstrauss62]

I like wrapping the firearm and then the spray foam thing that sounds pretty good

 

[cornstalk]

The guy I purchased my long rifle from shipped it in a custom case from Kalispel Case Line and then I shipped the empty case back to him. I liked the case so much I had them make one for me as I travel a couple of times a year between Alaska and America. 64"x14"x4". It was expensive but a lot less than the guns in the case.
https://kalispelcaseline.net/

 

[Clint Meier]

Howdy gents, just adding my 2 cents. I have shipped and received many rifles and stocks over the last 20+ years and have had to repair many stocks that were broken in shipping. If a stock is going to get broken in shipping, it will almost always break through the wrist, it's weakest point. So do your best to reinforce that area when packing. Also, concerning the use of bubble wrap, never, never, never wrap it directly against a finished stock. There is a release agent that is left on the surface of the bubble wrap during it's manufacture that can react badly with some (maybe not all) stock finishes. I have received stocks wrapped in it that looked like a hoard of angry octopuses got a hold of it with their suckers, which then required refinishing. Always wrap the stock in something (news paper, paper towels, or cloth) before wrapping it in the bubble wrap.

 

[JCKelly]

US Postal Service not bad, and their insurance is said to be reliable, FedEx next.

Stay away from UPS. At least that my former employer's experience, shipping small amounts of specialty nickel alloy weld filler (electrodes, bare wire)

 

[SamTex1949]

if not a wooden box for packing, then dont skimp on good shipping tape ! and tape it in every conceivable direction !
corners , and every length width, sides etc !! As a old retired USPS carrier for rural routes I cna attest the one thing lacking almost always is a well taped package and do use that fiber strand tape too ! https://www.amazon.com/Directional-...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[erstrauss62]

You all are full of great ideas. Now if I could just get one of you to come over and pack it up...that would be sweet!! Lol

 

[rrebuck]

If you have access to a paper shredder or shredded paper, putting shreds into a plastic grocery bag and tying off the opening makes good padding and it's pretty much free.

 

[erstrauss62]

I like free. Thanks

 

[Okie Hog]

Sometimes the larger U-Haul places have large shipping tubes. You need a 6" by 60" shipping tube. They ain't cheap.

Amazon.com: Jumbo Mailing Tubes, 6" x 60" : Office Products

 

[EC121]

I have had good luck using 2" foam pipe insulation around the foreend and wrist of the rifle. It is cheap and easy to cut. You can also fold it over the ends for more padding.
I just received a rifle that was wrapped in bubble wrap and then sandwiched between two long pieces of thick cardboard before it was shoved in a square box. It did fine. Most of those long boxes are stood on end to ship in a truck or container so the ends should be well padded and the rifle secure.
I ususally use USPS Priority Mail for shipping rifles. They also have an Air Express category, but it is expensive. Mike Brooks shipped me a rifle from Iowa to Alabama that way. It was about $140 but quick and probably safer.
The USPS website has a cost estimator program. For a long box and that distance sent Priority Mail. I would guess $75-$100 insured.

 

[Bergmann]

I guess everyone has his own ideas about what is best. As suggested, taking it apart is ideal and as you indicated, with a long barreled gun, it’s you only practicable alternative. I put the components in a cheap plastic case, then tape a piece of laminate flooring to each side of the case - it more or less prevents damage from “point loading”. A wood box would be ideal, but would cost a hell of a lot extra to ship.

I use a wood box and yes, it does cost more (Going up by 5.9% next year)! But is the gun worth the extra security? The shipping Co. has a hard time claiming insufficient packing as opposed to shipping in cardboard!

 

[Caniborrowsomeammo]

Whatever you choose, pack it so it won't get damaged as collecting on the insurance takes quite a long while. YOU own it until it is delivered.

 

[SDSmlf]

If you can’t find a commercial hard sided case that you are comfortable using, check out this @Bob McBride video on how he makes one. I’ve done similar. Not difficult at all to make nor very expensive.

 

[11Bravo]

Thank you SDSmif, I have to start selling a lot of my 60 year collection of both long arms and hand guns and this will help me. Cheaper than buying cases from Walmart like I thought I would do. The big plus is you can tailor the size for what it is, be it long rifle or a carbine. I think for my BP pistols a larger box than their size for security.