Does anyone out there have experience flying to a match commercially?  I have flown with a newly purchased rifle successfully, but there was no ammo involved.  Getting a rifle on the plane is not too much of a hassle, but how do you deal with getting the ammo to a shoot?  I have started using the charged case approach, but even if you bench load, you still need to get powder, primer to the range.   I am toying with the idea of going to the Quigley  someday  and it's a hard two day drive for me.   

Just wondering, 

-06

One karate chop from a anti gun sumo wrestler could do it.

          Joe.

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Friend of mine came back from the Baltimore gun show with a nice original flintlock, and same era pistol. They were packed end to end in his airline case, and when it came off the conveyor the case was bent 90 degrees! Somehow when he got it opened, the bend was right between the two guns, and neither was harmed! Airline had to buy a new case.
I had a pretty decent airline case, but after what happened to his, I sprung for a Kalispel that can withstand driving a car over it, and survive.

I have flown with modern Silhouette rifles a lot. Back and forth to Australia several times. South Africa and Raton NM.   Guns were easy to replace if lost and could buy ammo locally . Used Pelican Hard cases never had a problem . Somebody did try to get My Remington 700 out of its case in South Africa, foiled by the Pelican. 

Tournament Shotgun shooters fly with the guns, order shells shipped  to the host club. Airline rules on max ammo weight force this. Shotgun broken down is short lot less likely to be damaged. 

My nice CPA's knowing what I know about shipping are not going to see airplane cargo holds even in Pelicans. Take the two days driving see the sights along the way worry free. 

Boats

Thing to remember is the Carrier, Airline in this case, never touches a bag. It's all sub-contractors who make their profit on low wage high production.

You can expect your gun case to be stacked, thrown, moved on conveyors and baggage trucks in a hurry by people that don't care.  Not to mention theft if it looks like a firearm.

Packing and not "Gun Obvious" is your best defense. Other thing when I was working in the 3rd world the best practice, don't use anything you care about. That's the best advice for gun transportation, be prepared to let it go.

Your car you are in control.

Boats

I have watched my favorate hunting rifle, in a very sturdy case, tossed as far up the loading ramp (into baggage hold) as possible. Seen this often enough that I conclude this is "sport" for baggage handlers. This light-weight hunting rifle and its case have never been damaged and POI was not changed, based on single test shots after arrival at destination and on return home. Leupold scope and mounts.

Grisen

I haven't tried them, but was told that the hard plastic gun cases like Doskocil aren't accepted, even though they can be locked with a padlock.