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Hardigg Storm Gun Case

Hardigg Storm Gun Case

As a serious competition shooter of some years standing, I can certainly appreciate the value of a thorough approach. Every aspect of the equipment and preparation routine can be finely honed and tweaked, which in itself breeds confidence.

All those hours of meticulous research and practise can be completely undermined, however, if the fundamentals are ignored - i.e. good gun protection. It’s no good arriving at a perfect state of competition readiness, only to fail to respect the rifle for the precision tool that it is. Leaving the cargo to rattle around en-route, is a recipe for disaster, and a sure-fire way to shift that zero!

Many cases exist on the market, which can help to a greater or lesser degree, but if any doubt exists as to the environment where the equipment is to be used, stored or transported, then the choice of protective case decreases dramatically. ‘When the going gets tough…’, as they say.

Enter the Storm gun case, which is quite simply the most comprehensively thought through protective container for sporting equipment that I’ve yet encountered.

Stormin’

OK; that’s quite a statement; but this is quite a case! Manufactured in the USA by Hardigg, the Storm range are dedicated, near-indestructible cases, designed with maximum protection in mind.

I’d say the brief here is perfectly summed up by a line from Hardigg’s literature- ‘Extreme protection for mission critical equipment’. Alright, admittedly this is the manufacturers blowing their own trumpet, but given a short while to inspect the merchandise, it’s difficult not to concur.

Apparently Hardigg have been supplying the US military and aerospace industry with specialist cases for over 50 years, so credentials appear to be in order!

The Storm range are constructed from ‘High Performance Resin’ and feel incredibly durable to the touch. Attention to detail results in a comprehensive features list including large press/pull latches securing the three sides, whilst two heavy duty rubber armoured handles allow the case to be either carried lengthways, or pulled like airport baggage- oh yes, that does mean it comes fitted with discrete wheels too!

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Strong locking points are included in the moulding, which can be secured with a suitable padlock.

Another major selling point is that the Storm is totally waterproof, courtesy of an internal rubber seal around the lid. If pressure build-up is a concern, then the manufacturer has thought of that too - with the inclusion of an integrated pressure release valve in the front. As now may be clear, this is serious kit, and not for the feint hearted.

P&M Packing

My sample case was kindly sent through by P&M Packing - a specialist company based near Southampton, which itself occupies a niche position in the market place. When you consider that Team GB entrusted their hi-tech yachts to P&M for shipping to the last Olympics, it’s clear this company doesn’t do things by halves. Storm cases nicely dovetail into P&M’s portfolio, and a fitting service is now available as required.

My test model was the ‘IM3300’, which has exterior dimensions of 53.8x16.5x6.7inch and interior dimensions of 50.5x14x6inch - so it’s a sizeable beast. It could act as a double-gun case for low profile sporting rifles or shotguns; or easily absorb a specialist competition rig.

Tipping the scales at 19lbs when empty, I’d say the weight is the only negative factor here, slightly limiting the application. You wouldn’t want to lug it around all day then!

Bear in mind the specialist nature of the Storm brand however, and for top class transportation and peace of mind, they’re hard to beat. We’re talking flight case grade here, and if you take your shooting seriously, few cases match the specification of this Storm.

Fitting Out

These cases can be supplied empty so the customer can fit his own foam; supplied with pre-perforated ‘cubed’ foam (where cubes are removed to allow for the general shape of the cargo); or with a custom-cut foam insert (involving a template marker being sent to the customer for measurement and return). These are costed as follows:-

* Empty Case (no foam)       £175 plus VAT
* Additional cost for cubed foam   £28   plus VAT
* Custom-cut foam insert       £63   plus VAT
* Delivery                     £18.5 plus VAT

If you believe the sales blurb, these Storm cases are great white shark and grizzly bear proof! Whilst this may be debatable, I reckon that the lifetime guarantee just about has the last word!

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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  • Hardigg Storm Gun Case - image {image:count}

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