Plano SE Series Single Rifle/Shotgun Case

As a devotee of the shooting sports, I came to realise at an early age the benefits of a hard case. Sometimes a gun needs to be left in a workshop or locked kit room (I’m talking airguns, where the legalities are covered), and just knowing your pride and joy is in a hard case brings peace of mind. You may be leaving it to be worked on by a gunsmith, but whatever the scenario, a hard case means the gun cannot easily be knocked or damaged.

Transportation
Transportation of our specialised tools to and from a shoot/competition is where a hard case really comes into its own, and if you have ever travelled to an event with a couple of friends, the car can soon be a jumble of valuable equipment, which has to be handled and moved at various intervals. With a gun inside a soft gun slip, anything being placed on top runs the risk of knocking the scope or damaging the stock. With the same gun securely stowed in its own padded hard case, we can relax. In short, if you want to know the gun has maintained a perfect zero and has not been damaged en route, then the ‘hard shell’ approach is a prerequisite.

SE series
On show here is the Plano SE Series Single Rifle/Shotgun Case, and at a little over 4lbs in weight, it’s wonderfully light, yet extremely functional. At 48” long, it’s big enough to take a multitude of guns, and with eggshell-style foam padding inside, the contents are nicely protected. The main central moulded handle is very comfortable, and there are four secure latches. Added versatility comes with the inclusion of padlock tabs (for airline travel) at all four corners, and also around the central handle.
I was sent this case as an example of the Plano range, and whilst it’s specified for scoped rifles (up to 50mm in diameter), this SE Series Single Rifle Case is aimed at fairly slimline sporting rifles, conventional air rifles, or shotguns. If you are looking to house a bulbous custom stock for Field Target shooting, for example, then look at Plano’s larger models. Likewise, with 3” of internal depth to play with, another consideration is overly wide tactical scope turrets, as these may be too snug a fit, which then defeats the object of a hard case. It’s all about the right-sized case for the job; go too large, and I know from experience it’s a drag trying to fit it into a conventional car, let alone lift it!

As intended
So, for many standard guns, this case will be perfect, and it remains one of Plano’s best-selling items for good reason. Caveats aside, use this case as nature/Plano intended, for a conventional rifle/scope combo, and it is indeed “solid protection at entry-level prices”, to quote the advertising. Well made, reassuringly protective, and smart to boot. GM

Reviewer: Mark Camoccio